After Naaman departed, Gehazi ran after him and asked him for gifts. Stack Exchange network consists of 181 Q&A communities including Stack Overflow, the largest, most trusted online community for developers to learn, share their knowledge, and build their careers. Dirt? However, Elisha's servant, thinking the prophet should receive some kind of payment for his services, takes two talents (about $800,000) and returns to Elisha. In v5, we read that Naaman only took with him money (gold and silver) and clothes, so I don't see how Elisha could have refused the other gifts if Naaman didn't even bring them (and how could he bring an olive orchard with him? And so he said, "Let's wait. Elisha understood Naaman's request and granted it without hesitation. It's awfully hard to accept grace gracefully, isn't it? 2,Dutch Paintings c. 1600c. Naaman and the Servant Girl Naaman and the Servant Girl Back To All Episodes Naaman and the Servant Girl Episode: 305 Season: 3 Joy is upset because she's in charge of a big service project. I think Elisha was rebuking not only the actions of Gehazi, but also the attitude of his heart. Did not my heart go when the man turned from his chariot to meet you? Was it a time to accept money and garments, olive orchards and vineyards, sheep and oxen, male servants and female servants?". 15:15-16 ). When the prophet Elisha hears about this, he sends for general Naaman. You know, I would like to go out and conquer a thousand giants or something. Jacobsz acted as an art dealer in Leeuwarden, which allowed him to have close ties with artists and dealers in other cities. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Acts 8:20.) Simon Kick, Elisha Refusing Naamans Gifts, 1644 (Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, Gemldegalerie); Werner Sumowski, Gemlde der Rembrandt-Schler, vol. ), Naaman returns to Elisha with lavish gifts, which Elisha flatly refuses to accept. There were also many lepers in Israel in the time of the prophet Elisha, and none of them was cleansed except Naaman the Syrian.. ; Arama, "'Aedat Yia," ch. A PDF of every version of this entry is available in this Online Catalogue's Archive, and the Archive is managed by a permanent URL. Gehazi's heart should have been uplifted with praise for . This website uses cookies to ensure the best user experience. He thought Elisha should have accepted all of the gifts. Lambert Jacobszs interpretation of the story is consistent with Mennonite beliefs. Why do we kill some animals but not others? Articles like these are sponsored free for every Catholic through the support of generous readers just like you. 34). The pictorial source for this confrontation scheme may be Peter Paul Rubenss The Tribute Money (Fine Arts Museum, San Francisco), which was known in the Northern Netherlands from a print by Lucas Vorsterman. He was going to buy some oxen, and then he's going to buy some sheep. However, as noted, nothing is known about a commission, and it therefore remains uncertain for whom or which institution Jacobsz originally made this painting. And so the king of Syria Benhadad sent a formal letter to the king of Israel [and sent Naaman down] ( 2 Kings 5:1-5 ). Why did Elisha refuse Naaman's gifts? Now, Naaman is not an Israelite. This item is part of a JSTOR Collection. But Elisha said, "The LORD is the one I serve, and as surely as he lives, I will not accept any gift." Naaman tried hard to make Elisha take the gift, but he refused. This phrase is used when Moses is in the presence of the Angel of the Lord and the God of Israel at the burning bush (Exod 3:15) and when Joshua meets the Angel of the Lord (Josh 5:15). From Marcel Mauss classic The Gift, to the relatively recent book by Moshe Halbertal On Sacrifice, understanding the dynamics involved in giving (and for-giving) seems to be crucial to unveil some of the fundamental tenets of our interpersonal relationships, may them be among humans, or with the divine. It has been lightly edited. 2 Now the Arameans had gone out in bands and had taken captive a little girl from the land of Israel; and . However, Elisha's servant, Gehazi, followed Naaman and deceitfully asked for a gift in Elisha's name. Let me have enough dirt from Israel to fill the baskets on two of my mules. Naaman, a man of heathen faith who is unfamiliar with the Jewish mezora, had expected the prophet himself to come out to him and to perform some kind of impressive ritual magic; he angrily refuses, and prepares to go home unhealed. After this, Naaman and his retinue returned to Elisha and offered a giftten talents of silver, six thousand shekels of gold, ten sets of clothingElisha could take whatever he wanted. Tanuma, Tazria' (end), however, says that Naaman was stricken with leprosy for taking an Israelitish maiden and making her his wife's servant (comp. Not only is Elisha's gesture of refusal reminiscent of that in the Leiden Collection painting, but Gehazi similarly stands behind the prophet in both works. Naaman is mentioned in 2 Kings 5 of the Tanakh in Hebrew as " " or "Naaman captain of the army of the King of Aram". Among the onlookers to this encounter are Naamans servants and soldiers, as well as Elishas servant Gehazi, the attentive young man at the far right. 122. Naaman also renounces his former god Rimmon after being cured by Elisha - acknowledges solely the God of Israel. This painting was first attributed to Lambert Jacobsz (and dated around 1630) by Jasper Hillegers; see Jasper Hillegers, Lambert Jacobsz (15981636) en zijn werkplaats: Atelierpraktijk in Leeuwarden omstreeks 1630, De Vrije Fries 89 (2009): 6792. Browse other questions tagged, Start here for a quick overview of the site, Detailed answers to any questions you might have, Discuss the workings and policies of this site. But Elisha said, As the LORD lives, before whom I stand, I will receive nothing. At times, these slivers of warm gray act as a transitional midtone, as in the lower contour of Elishas sleeve where it overlaps with the white page of his book. L.J (Yet another landscape with a large ruin and a river within the foreground Naaman speaking to Gehazi, the prophet Elishas servant, who came after him, and for whom a carriage waits in the distance). God is the one who gives, not Elisha. See Hendrik Luitje Straat, Lambert Jacobsz, schilder, De Vrije Fries 28 (1928): 74. One day, his wife's Israelite servant girl told her about the power of God moving through the prophet Elisha. We are like Naaman that we don't always recognize that our lives are held together by God's power and grace. Naaman was cured of his leprosy. Around 1627, after finishing his training, Backer moved to Leeuwarden to assist his former neighbor with the production of paintings, especially large-figure history pieces.4 The collaboration between Jacobsz and Backer, his main assistant, must have been harmonious. The Church News is an official publication of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 1800 (Stockholm 2005), 59, no. Art and the Bible 2005 - 2023 artbible.info. It would be simply wrong for Elisha to accept Naamans gift, given the fact the prophet has not performed the healing himself, but God. It. ), "It is, after all, by divine power that men are able to perform priesthood miracles," states the manual. men preach and set themselves up for a light unto the world, that they may get gain and praise of the world; but they seek not the welfare of Zion." Nephi taught, " . (1 Cor. lxi.). Site design / logo 2023 Stack Exchange Inc; user contributions licensed under CC BY-SA. On Backer in his Leeuwarden period, see Jasper Hillegers, Lambert Jacobsz (15981636) en zijn werkplaats. Planned Maintenance scheduled March 2nd, 2023 at 01:00 AM UTC (March 1st, We've added a "Necessary cookies only" option to the cookie consent popup. During the same period, Jacobsz painted two other large-figure paintings depicting Elisha rebuking Gehazi in the Agnes Etherington Art Centre, Queens University, Kingston (fig 3) and in the Landesmuseum Hannover (fig 4).7 In both the Kingston and Hannover paintings, the artist focused on the interactions of the two protagonists, with the elderly prophet admonishing his chastened servant by wagging his finger. Gehazi, as is recounted in a subsequent episode in the biblical story, follows Naaman after the Syrian commander leaves Elisha and accepts the gifts intended for his master, falsely telling Naaman that Elisha had sent him to do so (2 Kings 5:1727). He was a mighty man and very brave, but he was a leper. Naaman tells his lord this and he is sent to Israel with a letter to the king. Notice Naaman asks for dirt to take back home with him. Naaman is understood as Moab in the expression "Moab is my washpot" (Ps. Such may have been Elisha's feeling. Then when his mentor was taken up into the whirlwind, Elisha became the leader of the sons of the prophets. 2, Dutch Paintings c. 1600c. Gehazi's Greed and Leprosy 15 Then Naaman and all his attendants went back to the man of God, stood before him, and declared, "Now I know for sure that there is no God in all the earth except in Israel. A4. And they said, "Hey, it looks like the servant of the prophet's coming." When Naaman hears what the servant tells him, he gets quite angry, and decides to go back home unhealed. There are some old damages to the canvas support with associated paint losses, as in the two figures immediately to the left of Naaman. Am I God that I can heal him of his leprosy? lx. He focused particularly on Naaman's gaze as he quietly reflects upon the prophet's reasons for refusing to accept his gifts of appreciationthe moment of revelation when Naaman came to understand that "there is no God in all the world except in Israel." Ps. When Naaman left Elisha's house to return home to Syria, Gehazi was filled with greed. 20-7). He was a good commander and was held in favor because of the victory that God brought him. The love of money is the root of all evil (1 Timothy 6:10), and so we must not allow the love of money to interfere with the calling of God on our lives. Last edited on 21 November 2022, at 00:19, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Naaman&oldid=1122973767, This page was last edited on 21 November 2022, at 00:19. 1800 (Stockholm, 2005), 213, no. Furthermore, the uniform purple color and trim of the gift cloak given in the Leiden Collection painting are somewhat similar to that in De Grebbers The Wrath of Ahasuerus, 1628 (Nationalmuseum, Stockholm); see Grel Cavalli-Bjrkman, Dutch and Flemish Paintings,vol. Publications are increasingly becoming available in electronic format (CD-ROM and/or online editions).BRILL is proud to work with a broad range of scholars and authors and to serve its many customers throughout the world. Israel was therefore Yahwehs portion (Deut 32:9), whereas all the other nations belong to the sons of God whom Israel was forbidden to worship. And if you read the verses earlier the categories that Elisha mentioned to Gehazi are listed out as belonging to the promised land. Why does the king blame Elisha for the siege and famine of Samaria in 2 Kings 6:31? He was sent to the door by Elisha with a message for Naaman to wash in the Jordan River seven times to be healed of his leprosy. Naaman would build and altar on the dirt and make an offering to the one true God. Now the Arameans went out in bands and captured from the land of Israel a young girl, who ministered to Naaman's wife. I can only receive by grace the goodness of God. Because it's just such a simple thing, why don't you try it? Jacob Backer, The Tribute Money, 1630s (Nationalmuseum, Stockholm); see Grel Cavalli-Bjrkman, Dutch and Flemish Paintings, vol. ( ). After Naaman was cured of leprosy, he offered Elisha gifts for his use of priesthood powers. "I pray that you'll take this blessing.". An Israelite maid he had captured advised him to see the prophet Elisha. This event is alluded to in the words "because by him the Lord had given deliverance unto Syria" (II Kings v. 1), and therefore the Syrian king, Naaman's master, was Benhadad (Midrash Shoer ob to. Atelierpraktijk in Leeuwarden omstreeks 1630, De Vrije Fries 89 (2009): 7485; and Peter van den Brink, Jacob Backer (1608/91651) (Exh. Then Naaman said, "If you will not accept this gift, at least do this for me. A Bible Story for Adults. 10:8. Naaman was the captain of the army of the king of Aram (Syria). It appears that Naaman was acknowledging the God of Heaven, Israels God as the one true God. Amsterdam, Hermitage Amsterdam, Rembrandt and his Contemporaries: History Paintings from The Leiden Collection, 4 February27 August 2023, no. Yet Naaman was a leper. By doing so, Naaman received his healing. It only takes a minute to sign up. The Septuagint, the Greek Old Testament, uses the word baptizein for the dipping that heals the heathen Naaman from the skin disease called tzaraath. Private Collection (sale, Sothebys, London, 7 December 2005, no. In 2 Kings 5:1519, the elated Naaman returns to Elisha and begs him to take payment for healing him. It would have been insulting to God for the prophet to receive anything from Naaman when God is the proprietor and the progenitor of wealth especially on His turf and in His land. Superbook DVD Club members have access to watch full-length Superbook episodes online or within the Free Superbook Bible App. But the Lord revealed to Elisha what Gehazi did and prophet rebuked him saying, the leprosy of Naaman shall cling to you and to your descendants forever" (verse 27). Joy is upset because shes in charge of a big service project. [2][3] He did not want money, wealth, power, or prestige to interfere with the call of God that was on his life. Why did Elisha refuse naamans gifts? the Lord hath forbidden this thing." R. xiv. Naaman traveled to Samaria, where Elisha told him to take seven dips in the river Jordan. Small sections of the ground have been left visible between some of the brushstrokes. Request Permissions. But I can't. When he returned home, Elisha found out and punished Gehazi with leprosy for his greed. The first small-figure picture is known only from a description in Lamberts inventory, where it can be gleaned that a landscape formed the backdrop for Gehazis attempt to inveigle Naaman into giving him the gifts. The Bible doesn't say whether God told him not to receive the gift from Naaman, but we see that Elisha was quick to refuse the offer, desiring only to honor God. Naaman was a man with significant duties in his home country. Nephi called such employment "priestcraft," in which " . Jointly published by the Deseret News and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, its content supports the doctrines, principles and practices of the Church. As he found himself cured, he praised Elishas god and wanted to thank the prophet by giving him presents. 2, Dutch Paintings c. 1600c. Some paint layers were thinly applied, as in sections of the brown background and the plum-colored textile held by Naamans attendant. When the two meet, Elisha tells him rather dismissively that he needs to take a bath in the Jordan River. And he headed home in a rage. Send him to me so he may know there is a prophet in Israel." 9 So Naaman came with his horses and chariots and stood in the doorway of Elisha's house. 635 (as Haarlem master); see also the RKD website. 5 Insights for Interpreting the Deaths of Ananias and Sapphira. And he started thinking of what he could do with some of that reward that Naaman was offering.And so he went chasing after Naaman. Discover God's love and plan for you, Elisha was totally surrendered to God in every area of his life. I could buy an olive orchard, a vineyard. Discover God's love and plan for you, Naaman was returning to a place where false gods were worshiped everywhere. Explain that Naaman was healed by Heavenly Father through the power of the priesthood and that priesthood holders cannot use the priesthood to gain recognition or wealth. God is the one who gives, not Elisha. 10 million Ukrainians without power because of Russia. cat. Discover God's love and plan for you. Jacobszs interpretation of this episode focuses on faith and not questions of civic virtues. In general, he painted directly onto the canvas, working both wet into wet and over dried paint layers. Entrust your prayer intentions to our network of monasteries. Get a roundup of new Word by Word articles in your inbox each Friday. For comparable tronies of old men executed by Jacob Backer in this period, see Jacob Backer, The Head of an Apostle, ca. Now Naaman, captain of the army of the king of Aram, was a great man with his master, and highly respected, because by him the LORD had given victory to Aram. And he said, Did not my spirit go with thee, [when you received] when you went out to their chariot and stopped them and you received the money, and you received the garments, and the oliveyards, and the vineyards, and the sheep, and the oxen, and menservants, and maidservants? Elisha refuses. 4). The idea of holy ground is an important element of Israelite theology. The man was also a valiant warrior, but he was a leper. BRILL is renowned for its publications in the following subject areas; Asian Studies, Ancient Near East & Egypt, Biblical Studies & Religious Studies, Classical Studies, Medieval & Early Modern Studies, Middle East & Islamic Studies. Keep them." The suggestion that vv. Ewald ("Gesch." This attribution by Fred Meijer was largely based on an alleged kinship with De Grebbers Belshazzars Great Feast from 1625 in Museum Schloss Wilhelmshhe, Kassel. X27 ; s heart should have been left visible between some of the brown background and the plum-colored held! 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'S going to buy some sheep a thousand giants or something Stockholm 2005 ), 213,.... Free for every Catholic through the support of generous readers just like you brown background and the textile!