The Good News Translation translators inserted “One day” at the beginning of this verse in order to make the story flow more smoothly (also Bible en français courant, Parole de Vie). Contemporary English Version says “Some time later.” A similar introductory expression may be required in certain other languages.

The Hebrew term rendered mistress is used of the relationship of Sarah to Hagar (Gen 16.4, 8-9) and is used of a woman who is over a servant. In some languages her mistress may have to be rendered “the woman she was serving” or possibly “her overseer.”

Would that …: The expression used here in Hebrew introduces a strong wish or yearning to see something happen. The only other occurrence of this interjection is found in Psa 119.5 (where Revised Standard Version has “O that”). Many English versions begin the servant’s wish with the words “If only…” (New International Version, Revised English Bible, New Jerusalem Bible, New American Bible, American Bible). It is also possible to translate it “I wish that…” or “I really want….”

My lord refers to Naaman. As the husband of her mistress, he was the master of the young girl. Translators should look for the most natural way a person in such a position would refer to the husband of the woman she served while speaking to her. In some cases this may be simply “your husband,” but others may say “my master.”

The prophet who is in Samaria: The word prophet is used much less frequently than the expression “man of God” up to this point in 2 Kings. Here the prophet refers specifically to the one who is in Samaria, that is, to Elisha. It is, however, not necessary to insert the proper name at this point since the girl probably did not feel that this was important.

He would cure him of his leprosy: The Hebrew verb used here is normally translated “gather,” but it may also be used in the sense “to withdraw” or “to take away.” In this context it means “to take away” or “to deliver from” the skin disease, that is, to recover from illness. The same verb is used in Num 12.14-15 to describe the acceptance of Miriam after she had been isolated because of the same terrible skin disease that afflicted Naaman. She is said to have been “brought in again.” The servant of Naaman’s wife was convinced that he could also be brought back to normal health if he could only see the prophet Elisha.

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Kings, Volume 2. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2008. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .