2nd Kings Chapter 5 verse 16 Holy Bible
But he said, As Jehovah liveth, before whom I stand, I will receive none. And he urged him to take it; but he refused.
read chapter 5 in ASV
But he said, By the life of the Lord whose servant I am, I will take nothing from you. And he did his best to make him take it but he would not.
read chapter 5 in BBE
But he said, As Jehovah liveth, before whom I stand, I will receive none! And he urged him to take it; but he refused.
read chapter 5 in DARBY
But he said, As the LORD liveth, before whom I stand, I will receive none. And he urged him to take it; but he refused.
read chapter 5 in KJV
But he said, As the LORD liveth, before whom I stand, I will receive none. And he urged him to take it; but he refused.
read chapter 5 in WBT
But he said, As Yahweh lives, before whom I stand, I will receive none. He urged him to take it; but he refused.
read chapter 5 in WEB
And he saith, `Jehovah liveth, before whom I have stood -- if I take `it';' and he presseth on him to take, and he refuseth.
read chapter 5 in YLT
Pulpit Commentary
Pulpit CommentaryVerse 16. - But he said, As the Lord liveth, before whom I stand, I will receive none. Elisha regards it as best, under the circumstances, to refuse the offered recompense. It was not compulsory on him so to act; for the precept, "Freely ye have received, freely give" (Matthew 10:8), had not been yet uttered. Pious Israelites commonly brought gifts to the prophets whom they consulted (1 Samuel 9:7, 8; 1 Kings 14:3). But, in the case of a foreigner, ignorant hitherto of true religion, whom it was important to impress favorably, and, if possible, win over to the faith, Elisha deemed it advisable to take no reward. Naaman was thus taught that Jehovah was his true Healer, the prophet the mere instrument, and that it was to Jehovah that his gratitude, his thanks, and his offerings were due. And he urged him to take it; but he refused. Contests of politeness are common in the East, where the one party offers to give and even insists on giving, while the other makes a pretence of declining; but here both parties were in earnest, and the gift was absolutely declined.
Ellicott's Commentary
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(16) But.--And (both times).I will receive none.--Theodoret compares our Lord's "Freely ye have received, freely give" (Matthew 10:8). (Comp. Acts 8:20.) Such may have been Elisha's feeling. His refusal, strongly contrasting with the conduct of ordinary prophets, Israelite and heathen (comp. 1Samuel 9:6-9), would make a deep impression upon Naaman and his retinue.
