He declared that the rivers in Damascus were cleaner than any river in Israel. The artist worked with loose and gestural brushwork. And so the king had torn his clothes and was all upset. Naaman was a "ger toshab," that is, he was not a perfect proselyte, having accepted only some of the commandments (Gi. [5], As the object of the narrative of Naaman's sickness and restoration to health is, apparently, to form a link in the long series of miracles performed by Elisha, the redactor of II Kings did not concern himself to indicate the time when this event occurred. This seems to be, to a certain extent, self-evident. Naaman is represented as vain and haughty, on account of which he was stricken with leprosy (Num. 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. Connect and share knowledge within a single location that is structured and easy to search. Naaman is understood as Moab in the expression "Moab is my washpot" (Ps. Amsterdam, Museum Het Rembrandthuis; Aachen, Suermondt-Ludwig-Museum) (Zwolle, 2008), 3034, 20411, nos. Backer A. van Dijck (Landau, 1983), 669, no. He knew the request came from a sincere theological change of heart. He was originally a disciple of Elijah. 1800 (Stockholm 2005), 59, no. Naaman was angry and would have left, but his servant asked him to try it and he was healed. .css-tadcwa:hover{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;}Daniel Esparza - @media screen and (max-width: 767px){.css-1xovt06 .date-separator{display:none;}.css-1xovt06 .date-updated{display:block;width:100%;}}published on 10/13/19. When he discovered that he was stricken with leprosy, he searched for a cure -- and of course, at that time, there was no cure. Similar decorations are also visible on the sash of one of the servants in De Grebbers version of Elishas Refusal for the Leprozenhuis in Haarlem, while the jewels on Naamans and Belshazzars turbans are nearly identical. Can we simply say no, thanks, you keep it to that uncle who has sacrificed some of his time and money to give us (again) a pack of three handkerchiefs for Christmas? 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. Elisha said, Where have you been? Notice Naaman asks for dirt to take back home with him. Josua Bruyn once remarked that the large-figure paintings produced in this workshopthe Backer-like Jacobsz and the Jacobsz-like Backer paintingswere difficult to distinguish.5 One example of how closely related the works of these painters were during this period is The Tribute Money in Stockholm. See Hendrik Luitje Straat, Lambert Jacobsz: schilder, De Vrije Fries 28 (1928): 71, no. I speculate that God seeing a true turning of Naaman to Himself did not want Naaman to say that he contributed toward his conversion, especially not with material and perishable things. Superbook is a registered trademark of The Christian Broadcasting Network, Inc. A nonprofit 501 (c)(3) Charitable Organization All Rights Reserved. How do I fit an e-hub motor axle that is too big? Among them are paintings by Lambert Jacobszs teacher Jan Pynas (1581/21631), who depicted the subject in a 1627 painting, now in the Old Catholic Church in Leiden, and one by Pieter de Grebber (ca. 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. Let me have enough dirt from Israel to fill the baskets on two of my mules. Naaman traveled to Samaria, where Elisha told him to take seven dips in the river Jordan. Art and the Bible 2005 - 2023 artbible.info. The man standing in the door to the right is Elisha's servant Gehazi. (The mikveh is a bath used for ritual immersion in Judaism. And he said. Wheelock, Arthur K., Jr., Christiaan Vogelaar, and Caroline van Cauwenberge. iii. But we rebel against that simplicity. [2][3] 1800 (Stockholm, 2005), 213, no. Christian theology has always depicted Naaman as the paradigmatic case of Gods will to save people we would normally considered as being unworthy of salvation: Naaman is not even an Israelite, and doesnt share the prophets faith. When the painting first appeared on the market in 2005, it was given to Pieter de Grebber.8 As Albert Blankert rightly recognized, however, this attribution is not tenable for stylistic reasons, despite the fact that Jacobsz knew De Grebbers work.9 Blankert also pointed out that the way in which the old Elisha and young Naaman face each other is comparable to the confrontation between Elisha and Gehazi in the Hannover painting.10 Other arguments reinforce the attribution of the Leiden Collection painting to Lambert Jacobsz. The man was also a valiant warrior, but he was a leper. They also receive 3 DVD's of each new Superbook episode.If you are already a Superbook DVD Club member and have enabled streaming access, please login to access full-length Superbook episodes. 5, S. Paulus met sijn sweert groot L. Jacobs selffs [added later] off J[acob] A[riens Backer]. You can discuss this post and others in the Faithlife Today group. thinks the king referred to was Jehoahaz, while Schenkel ("Biblical Lexicon") suggests Jehu, but the general view is that it was Jehoram. He said, "That guy didn't even have the graciousness to come out and meet me himself. rev2023.3.1.43269. Naaman (Hebrew: Namn, "pleasantness") the Aramean was a commander of the armies of Ben-Hadad II, the king of Aram-Damascus, in the time of Joram, king of Israel. 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. He knew the request came from a sincere theological change of heart. And this is what God said about His land, You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers, as it is this day. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. He wanted to thank Elisha by giving him presents, but Elisha refused. 32; 206, no. Just mad. In the same way, each one of us needs to be careful to check our heart and our motives in pursuing wealth, especially when it has to do with the kingdom of God or ministry to others. According to the Bible, Naaman was a commander of the army of Syria. So his king, his soldiers, and the people of Syria heaped praise upon him. 2,Dutch Paintings c. 1600c. And came whistling in. The Septuagint, the Greek Old Testament, uses the word baptizein for the dipping that heals the heathen Naaman from the skin disease called tzaraath. 2 Kings 3:14 And Elisha said, As the LORD of hosts liveth, before whom I stand, surely, were it not that I regard the presence of Jehoshaphat the king of Judah, I would not look toward thee, nor see thee. Thanks for contributing an answer to Biblical Hermeneutics Stack Exchange! Although the story of Naaman and Elisha was infrequently depicted by other artists, Jacobsz painted episodes from this story at least six times in the late 1620s and 1630s, including three scenes with small-scale figures and three with large-scale figures.2 One of Jacobszs early portrayals of this subject, which is known only from a black-and-white photograph (fig 2), has compositional elements similar to those seen in Elisha Refusing Naamans Gifts, such as the interaction between Naaman and Elisha. Naaman was a Syrian warlord, who suffered from a nasty skin condition, probably leprosy. The passage ("because by him the Lord had given deliverance unto Syria," II Kings v. 1) upon which the identification of Naaman with Ahab's slayer is based by the Rabbis is referred by G. Rawlinson, however (in the "Speaker's Commentary"), to the Syrian triumph over Shalmaneser II. See Albert Blankert, Kunst als regeringszaak in Amsterdam in de 17e eeuw (Exh. 1800 (Stockholm 2005), 59, no. Now I told you that a fellow that would have this kind of a gift would have problems. Jan Pynas, Elisha Refusing Naamans Gifts (Oud-Katholieke Kerk, Leiden); see the RKD website. This is the second contrast we find in this story: that of the pomp of Naaman and Elishas humbleness. For example, the artist often divided the picture plane and juxtaposed his main protagonists in this manner, as in The Disobedient Prophet in the Nationalmuseum Stockholm (fig 5).11 The old prophet in that painting, moreover, resembles Elisha.12, A final question concerns patronage. The practice in Lambert Jacobszs workshop included the frequent variation and copying of originals by some leading painters of the time, such as Rembrandt van Rijn (160669), Jan Lievens (160774), and Gerrit von Honthorst (15921656). When he heard of the ministry of Elisha, Naaman was willing to humble his pride, leave his homeland, and travel to Israel in order to see the prophet of God. Jasper Hillegers, Lambert Jacobsz (15981636) en zijn werkplaats. The "money and garments" is clear, but why did Elisha mention the other 3 pairs of things? https://theleidencollection.com/artwork/elisha-refusing-naamans-gifts/ (accessed March 02, 2023). The paint layers are generally in good condition. Discover God's love and plan for you, Elisha was totally surrendered to God in every area of his life. And if you read the verses earlier the categories that Elisha mentioned to Gehazi are listed out as belonging to the promised land. I can only receive by grace the goodness of God. 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. Although opinion varies as to how much a talent weighed (maybe 25-35kg), it was certainly a lot of money. When he discovered that he was stricken with leprosy, he searched for a cure -- and of course, at that time, there was no cure. lx. This was Gods land. Nephi taught, " . Could he have executed it for the Leprozenhuis in Leeuwarden, much as Pieter de Grebber did in 1637 for the regents of the Leprozenhuis in Haarlem, or as Ferdinand Bol would do in 1661 for the Leprozenhuis in Amsterdam? Did not my heart go when the man turned from his chariot to meet you? He came to the door to tell Naaman that he should take a dip in the Jordan River seven times. Help us continue to bring the Gospel to people everywhere through uplifting and transformative Catholic news, stories, spirituality, and more. Keep them." Naaman was happy to give Gehazi the gifts and then he continued on his journey. An overall warm gray ground has been applied to the painting. He did not want sin to come between him and the Lord or to hinder the Lord's work through his life because of his greed. Copyright 2023 Deseret News Publishing Company. His refusal, strongly contrasting with the conduct of ordinary prophets, Israelite and heathen (comp. 78. For example, mentioned in Jacobszs stock inventory is a Naomi and Ruth by De Grebber, which would have been sent to the artist in Leeuwarden from Haarlem, or from Amsterdam via Hendrick Uylenburgh. Michael S. Heiser is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania (M.A., Ancient History) and the University of Wisconsin- Madison (M.A., Ph.D., Hebrew Bible and Semitic Studies). 358; see also the RKD website. Naamans wife was married to a mighty warrior that suffered from leprosy. R. xiv. 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. Why did Elisha rebuke Gehazi for things he did not accept from Naaman? But this only can happen if we are willing to humble ourselves and recognize that Jesus is Lord and that we are His servants. Elisha was totally surrendered to God in every area of his life. Klostermann ("Die Bcher Samuelis und der Knige"), while supplying, with the Alexandrian codex, the word , connects this passage with Naaman's departure with the loads of earth, and renders the passage as "and he carried away from him about a cor of the earth of Israel."[5]. He was a mighty man and very brave, but he was a leper. 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. 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. They want to lavish the servant of God with gifts. When he discovered that he was stricken with leprosy he searched for a cure -- and of course at that time there was no cure. He did not want sin to come between him and the Lord or to hinder the Lord's work through his life because of his greed. As a result, Israel was holy ground; the territory of every other nation was not. Sources: April 1984 and April 1985 general conference reports and the Church Educational System's Old Testament Student Manual. And in fact, they sent a fellow back carrying a bag. 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. If the tradition is correct, the Syrian king whom Naaman served must have been Ben-hadad II. This biblical passage is full of stark contrasts. Previous commentary: Next commentary: About this commentary: are made available by the generosity of . The original support has been lined and its tacking margins have been removed. Somehow I would like to deserve or earn God's blessings. And Naaman urged him to take it; but he refused ( 2 Kings 5:16 ). The rabbinical tradition that Naaman was the archer (I Kings xxii. It seems unlikely that Jacobszs depiction of this Biblical story would have been suitable for the Regents Chamber in the Leprozenhuis in Leeuwarden. A person is not born a Mennonite, but only becomes one when mature enough to decide based on personal belief to follow the Christian faith, much like Naaman, who came to that revelation through the actions and words of Elisha. And in certain dire situations, one is permitted to accept presents openly.) You must be logged in to use this feature. His representation of Naaman and Elishas story would have been a very appropriate background for the many baptisms Jacobsz himself performed in this church. 57b; Deut. ), "It is, after all, by divine power that men are able to perform priesthood miracles," states the manual. UFOs and Christianity: What Hath Roswell to Do with Jerusalem? 1631 (Private collection, United States); Peter van den Brink, Jacob Backer (1608/91651) (Exh. Peter van den Brink, Jacob Backer (1608/91651) (Exh. Naaman proceeds with the letter to King Joram. Then when his mentor was taken up into the whirlwind, Elisha became the leader of the sons of the prophets. If anyone should have known and obeyed the commandments of God, it was Gehazi. cat. 78. What's it going to hurt?" "I know that," he said. See Piet Bakker, De Friese schilderkunst in de Gouden Eeuw (Zwolle, 2008), 140, fig. Episodes Available for Superbook DVD Club Members Only. But he said, As the Lord liveth, before whom I stand, I will receive none. 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. 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. Create an account or log in to get started. More broadly, the idea derives from Deuteronomy 32:89 (compare Deut 4:1920), where we learn that when God divided up the nations at the Tower of Babel, they were allotted to the sons of God. The nations of the world were, in effect, disinherited by Yahweh as his own earthly family. All rights reserved. Discover God's love and plan for you. In the past, the edges of the painting appear to have been folded over a smaller stretcher about an inch from the current edge. To try it and he was a commander of the army of Syria heaped praise upon him Gouden. Have left, but he was a Syrian warlord, who suffered from leprosy ourselves and that...: April 1984 and April 1985 general conference reports and the Church System... Brink, Jacob Backer ( 1608/91651 ) ( Exh you can discuss this post and in! You, Elisha Refusing Naamans gifts ( Oud-Katholieke Kerk, Leiden ) ; Peter van den,! 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