Do you know the story of Gehazi in the Bible? Do you know who this man was and why he was condemned by God to have leprosy for the rest of his life after the healing of a great Syrian general? If you want to know more about this character, keep reading this article.
Gehazi was the servant of the prophet Elisha, he is known to acquire leprosy after asking for a reward for a miracle. He is mentioned in the Bible three times. In the story of the Shunammite woman, in the healing of Naaman and before King Joram.
Some scholars also suggest that Gehazi may be mentioned indirectly at least two other times. It is possible that he is the servant mentioned in 2 Kings 4:43, as well as the young man whose name is not mentioned in the well-known text of 2 Kings 6:15.
Related: Who is Naaman in the Bible?
Story of Gehazi, Elisha’s Servant
Giezi was a man who dedicated himself to serving the prophet Elisha, being his personal assistant. Which means that he accompanied the prophet on many occasions.
One of these occasions is recorded in chapter 4 of 2 Kings. On that occasion, the story of the Shunammite woman is presented, who had shown great hospitality towards the prophet Elisha.
In this context, Gehazi seems to be the one who suggested to the prophet Elisha that the Shunammite woman be rewarded with the promise of a son. So soon, according to Elisha’s prophecy, the woman gave birth to a boy.
However, as time passed, the boy fell ill. When the Shunammite woman went looking for Elisha, the prophet ordered Gehazi to take his staff and place it on the boy.
Gehazi did as the prophet told him, however, the effort was in vain, because nothing happened to the lifeless child. But the prophet Elisha personally came to the boy and God restored him to life (2 Kings 4:8-37).
It may interest you: What were the miracles of Jesus?
What was Gehazi’s sin?
Gehazi appears in 2 Kings 4 as a helpful servant, yet in the next chapter of the Bible he appears as a greedy and ambitious servant.
In 2 Kings 5 we read how Naaman, the leper Syrian captain, went to Israel to find Elisha. His goal was to be cured of his leprosy, and with him he brought precious gifts to offer to the man of God for the purpose of receiving healing.
Then Elisha sent a messenger to Naaman telling him to wash seven times in the Jordan River, so, after comings and goings, Naaman accepted the instruction, washed in the river and was healed.
So he returned to the prophet Elisha and offered him a great gift. But Elisha did not accept anything Naaman offered him, but sent him away in peace (2 Kings 5:16-19).
Shortly after Naaman’s departure, Gehazi hurried to catch up with him thinking: “My master has been too kind to this Syrian Naaman, for he did not accept anything he had brought. But I’m going to run after him, to see if he gives me something. As sure as the Lord lives!”” (2 Kings 5:21).
When Naaman noticed Gehazi approaching, he immediately went towards him. Then Gehazi falsely asked him, in the name of Elisha, for a talent and two fine garments. His purpose was to have them for himself, so it was, the great sin of Elisha’s servant.
At Gehazi’s request, Naaman ended up offering him not just one talent, but two (2 Kings 5:23). This was equivalent to about 70 kilos of silver.
It may interest you: Should the Christian tithe according to the New Testament?
What was Gehazi’s punishment?
When he returned to Elisha, Gehazi kept trying to trick him. Therefore, that false payment demanded by Gehazi caused him a terrible punishment.
Because of his sin, the ambitious Gehazi was cursed by the prophet Elisha. He received upon himself and his descendants the same disease that Naaman had suffered (2 Kings 5: 26-27).
At that very moment he left the presence of Elisha already a leper, his body seemed to be covered with white snow (2 Kings 5:27).
Important note: The word leprosy is a generic term used in the Old Testament to refer to many types of skin diseases. Probably this type of leprosy that Naaman had, and that Gehazi later contracted, did not require insulation.
See also: Who helped Jesus carry the cross? Simon of Cyrene
Gehazi and King Joram
After this event, Gehazi is quoted for the last time testifying to King Joram about the great works accomplished by God through Elisha’s ministry.
On that occasion, the resurrection of the Shunammite’s son stands out especially (2 Kings 8:4-6).
It is also likely that Gehazi is the young man who was frightened by the siege of the enemy army in 2 Kings 6.
According to Elisha’s prayer, this young man’s eyes were opened to contemplate divine protection (2 Kings 6:17). However, there is no evidence that actually proves that Gehazi was the person in question.
Was Gehazi cured of leprosy according to the Bible?
Curiously, many people end up stating that Gehazi was healed of his leprosy. It is not uncommon to find people preaching about a supposed restoration of Gehazi. But there is no Biblical basis for such a claim.
First, Elisha was clear that leprosy would afflict him and his descendants “forever” (2 Kings 5:27). If Gehazi was later healed, then Elisha’s word was not fulfilled.
Second, Jesus himself spoke of the lepers who lived in Israel at the time of Elisha. In Luke 4:27 our Lord says: “In the same way, there were in Israel many sick with leprosy in the days of Elisha the prophet, but none of them was healed, except Naaman the Syrian.” This means that if Gehazi was healed, Jesus himself erred by mentioning only Naaman’s healing.
Related: Healing Verses in the Bible
How is Gehazi’s presence before King Joram explained?
The fact that Gehazi appeared before King Joram can easily be explained without contradicting the Scriptures.
According to Jewish rules, when the skin disease had taken over the entire body, turning its entire surface white, then the sick person was no longer considered unclean.
In fact, the impurity of skin diseases was identified on the basis of their progression. When there was this evolutionary picture that indicated an active contamination, the patient was considered impure.
The biblical text indicates that Gehazi’s leprosy immediately took over his entire body, and he was “white as snow” (2 Kings 5:27).
In fact, Gehazi’s illness must be interpreted in light of Leviticus 13:12-13. This text indicates that stable conditions were considered clean. This was exactly the case with Gehazi. Since he was considered clean, he could continue to serve Elisha and later testify before King Joram.
We recommend the following video.