2 Chronicles 26 15

2 Chronicles 26:15 kjv

And he made in Jerusalem engines, invented by cunning men, to be on the towers and upon the bulwarks, to shoot arrows and great stones withal. And his name spread far abroad; for he was marvelously helped, till he was strong.

2 Chronicles 26:15 nkjv

And he made devices in Jerusalem, invented by skillful men, to be on the towers and the corners, to shoot arrows and large stones. So his fame spread far and wide, for he was marvelously helped till he became strong.

2 Chronicles 26:15 niv

In Jerusalem he made devices invented for use on the towers and on the corner defenses so that soldiers could shoot arrows and hurl large stones from the walls. His fame spread far and wide, for he was greatly helped until he became powerful.

2 Chronicles 26:15 esv

In Jerusalem he made machines, invented by skillful men, to be on the towers and the corners, to shoot arrows and great stones. And his fame spread far, for he was marvelously helped, till he was strong.

2 Chronicles 26:15 nlt

And he built structures on the walls of Jerusalem, designed by experts to protect those who shot arrows and hurled large stones from the towers and the corners of the wall. His fame spread far and wide, for the LORD gave him marvelous help, and he became very powerful.

2 Chronicles 26 verses

2 Chronicles 26 15 Meaning

2 Chronicles 26:15 describes King Uzziah's impressive military advancements in Jerusalem, where he created innovative siege engines designed by highly skilled individuals to enhance the city's defenses on towers and bulwarks. These devices were capable of shooting arrows and launching large stones, significantly improving Judah's defensive capabilities. The verse emphasizes that Uzziah's widespread fame and growing strength were not merely due to his own ingenuity or his people's skill, but primarily because he received extraordinary divine assistance. This divine "marvelous help" empowered him until he became exceedingly powerful.

2 Chronicles 26 15 Context

Verse Context: This verse marks the zenith of Uzziah's successful reign, highlighting his impressive achievements in military engineering and his resultant widespread renown. It immediately precedes the account of his downfall in 2 Chronicles 26:16-21, where his pride, fueled by this very strength and prosperity, leads him to trespass against the Lord, resulting in leprosy and a shameful end to his rule. Thus, verse 15 serves as a dramatic high point, establishing the extent of God's blessing, which ironically became the breeding ground for Uzziah's fatal flaw.

Chapter Context: 2 Chronicles Chapter 26 opens with Uzziah's ascension to the throne at 16, emphasizing that he "sought God in the days of Zechariah...and as long as he sought the LORD, God made him prosper" (v.5). The chapter details Uzziah's diverse accomplishments, including his military victories over Philistines, Arabs, and Meunites (v.6-8), his fortifying of Jerusalem and surrounding areas (v.9), his extensive agricultural projects (v.10), and the organization and equipping of his vast army (v.11-14). Verse 15 brings together the pinnacle of his defense systems and directly attributes his success and fame to God's powerful help, setting up the subsequent narrative of his tragic fall from grace due to pride.

Historical Context: Uzziah (also known as Azariah in 2 Kings 15) reigned over Judah for 52 years (c. 792–740 BC), one of the longest and most prosperous reigns after Solomon. His era was marked by significant rebuilding, agricultural expansion, and military strength that restored Judah to a position of regional prominence. His strategic innovations in Jerusalem's defenses demonstrate a period of foresight and military ingenuity, occurring during a time when Assyria was a growing, but not yet overwhelming, regional power, allowing Judah relative independence to consolidate its strength. This era of prosperity also saw the beginnings of prophetic ministries like Isaiah and Amos, who would later confront the kingdom's moral and spiritual decay. The chronicler frequently links a king's fortunes directly to their obedience or disobedience to God, framing Uzziah's early success and later downfall within this theological principle.

2 Chronicles 26 15 Word analysis

• And he made: Indicates a proactive and deliberate act by King Uzziah. It points to his leadership and initiative in the military preparations.
• in Jerusalem: Emphasizes the centrality of the capital city for these defensive enhancements. Jerusalem's security was paramount to the kingdom's stability.
• engines: Hebrew: חִשְּׁבֹנָם (chishbônâm). Literally, "his devices," "his inventions," or "his computations." This term signifies advanced, carefully designed mechanisms, far beyond simple weaponry. It suggests a high level of technical ingenuity, possibly catapult-like machines for launching projectiles with significant force and accuracy. This term also carries a nuance of calculation and strategic planning.
• invented by cunning men: Hebrew: חֹשְׁבִים (choshevim). From the root meaning "to think," "to devise," "to reckon." These were not ordinary artisans but highly skilled, intelligent designers, strategists, and engineers. The word "cunning" here implies ingenuity, skill, and shrewdness in devising. This highlights that human intellect and expertise, though crucial, are leveraged in the divine plan.
• to be on the towers and upon the bulwarks: Specifies the strategic placement of these war machines. "Towers" (מִגְדָּלִים - migdalim) offered height advantage for observation and shooting. "Bulwarks" (מִבְצָרִים - mibtsarim) refers to battlements, pinnacles, or fortifications, providing reinforced defensive positions along the walls. This shows a well-thought-out, layered defensive system.
• to shoot arrows and great stones withal: Describes the primary function of these machines – long-range projectile weaponry. "Great stones" implies power and destruction capability, effective for repelling siege forces and maintaining distance.
• And his name spread far abroad: This signifies widespread renown, fame, and reputation that extended beyond Judah's borders. Uzziah became a recognized and formidable leader in the region, perhaps inspiring respect or fear among neighboring kingdoms due to his perceived strength.
• for he was marvellously helped: Hebrew: פְּלִאיָה (pli'yah), from the root פָּלָא (pala'), meaning "to be wonderful," "to be extraordinary," "to do wonders." This is the crucial theological point of the verse. It directly attributes Uzziah's success and strength, not merely to his own wisdom or the skill of his engineers, but to a supernatural, divine intervention. The help was extraordinary, going beyond what human effort could naturally achieve. This is a common theme in Chronicles, where divine enablement is paramount.
• till he was strong: This indicates the progressive outcome and duration of the divine assistance. God's help continued, leading Uzziah to a pinnacle of military and national strength. This phrase, however, carries a profound ironic foreshadowing for the chronicler's audience, as it is this very "strength" that ultimately leads to his pride and subsequent downfall (v.16).

Words-group by Words-group Analysis:

• "he made in Jerusalem engines, invented by cunning men": This phrase beautifully intertwines human ingenuity with divine context. While the human agents (Uzziah, "cunning men") are active in devising and building, the immediate proximity to "marvellously helped" implies that their very capacity to invent and execute may have been divinely gifted or enabled, reflecting a partnership where human effort thrives under God's blessing.
• "his name spread far abroad; for he was marvellously helped": This directly links Uzziah's widespread fame to a divine cause, not merely his accomplishments. His reputation was not solely a result of military success or innovative weaponry but fundamentally stemmed from the extraordinary favor of God. This challenges human tendency to attribute all success to self.
• "marvellously helped, till he was strong": This pair highlights the progression of divine blessing culminating in significant power. The strength Uzziah acquired was a gift, a product of God's direct intervention. The phrase implies a journey of divine enablement, reaching a point of ultimate capability, yet ominously hinting at the perilous spiritual state this strength could, and did, induce in him.

2 Chronicles 26 15 Bonus section

• The Chronicler's theology often features a direct correlation between obedience/seeking God and prosperity, and between disobedience/pride and judgment. Verse 15 vividly illustrates the former, setting up the sharp contrast of the latter in subsequent verses.
• The "marvellous help" (פְּלִאיָה) emphasizes a divine quality of intervention, linking Uzziah's experience to God's pela' (wonders) demonstrated throughout Israel's history. This isn't mere good fortune but specific, miraculous assistance.
• This verse showcases that God's involvement in human affairs is not limited to the "spiritual" realm but extends to practical, technical, and military endeavors. God grants wisdom and skill for innovation that has practical, tangible benefits.
• The term "cunning men" (חֹשְׁבִים) and "engines" (חִשְּׁבֹנָם) highlight God's endowment of intellect and analytical skill for innovation, a reflection of Him as the ultimate Craftsman and Giver of wisdom (Exod 31:3-5; Prov 2:6).
• The downfall that immediately follows this peak of strength and fame serves as a potent reminder of the fragility of human success and the peril of pride, even when one is blessed by God. The greatest test of character often comes during times of greatest strength and prosperity.

2 Chronicles 26 15 Commentary

2 Chronicles 26:15 stands as a testament to Uzziah's effective reign and remarkable ingenuity in bolstering Judah's defenses, but more importantly, it underscores the Chronicler's core theological conviction: God is the ultimate source of all true success and strength. The verse presents a synergistic relationship between human skill and divine enablement. Uzziah's "cunning men" indeed designed advanced "engines," demonstrating impressive human intellect and craftsmanship, but the text makes it unequivocally clear that his resultant "strength" and widespread "fame" were "marvellously helped" by God. This implies that God not only supernaturally intervened but also empowered and perhaps even inspired the human architects of these innovations.

This verse serves as a climactic description of Uzziah's prosperity and military prowess, but also sets a tragic stage for what follows. The very strength granted by God became the catalyst for Uzziah's pride (2 Chr 26:16), leading to his unauthorized entry into the temple and subsequent leprosy. The divine help "till he was strong" thus points to a critical turning point: God's blessings, when unacknowledged or used for self-aggrandizement, can lead to downfall. The lesson is timeless: all talents, opportunities, and successes are gifts from God, and true wisdom lies in acknowledging Him as the source, guarding against pride, and utilizing these blessings for His glory, not merely for personal exaltation or perceived invincibility.

• Practical usage: A person with exceptional musical talent performing brilliantly should attribute their gifts and success to God. An entrepreneur who experiences rapid business growth should recognize divine favor and utilize their resources responsibly, not succumb to pride and believe it was solely their acumen. A leader's effective policies yielding positive national impact should lead to corporate thanksgiving and acknowledgment of God's guidance, rather than self-congratulation.