2 Chronicles 26:17 kjv
And Azariah the priest went in after him, and with him fourscore priests of the LORD, that were valiant men:
2 Chronicles 26:17 nkjv
So Azariah the priest went in after him, and with him were eighty priests of the LORD?valiant men.
2 Chronicles 26:17 niv
Azariah the priest with eighty other courageous priests of the LORD followed him in.
2 Chronicles 26:17 esv
But Azariah the priest went in after him, with eighty priests of the LORD who were men of valor,
2 Chronicles 26:17 nlt
Azariah the high priest went in after him with eighty other priests of the LORD, all brave men.
2 Chronicles 26 17 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Chr 26:16 | But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up to his destruction... | Uzziah's pride before the act. |
| 2 Chr 26:18 | They withstood King Uzziah and said to him, "It is not for you, Uzziah..." | Priests directly confront the king. |
| 2 Chr 26:19 | Then Uzziah was enraged and had a censer in his hand to burn incense... | Uzziah's angry reaction. |
| 2 Chr 26:20-21 | ...and behold, he was leprous on his forehead... | Immediate divine judgment on Uzziah. |
| Num 3:10 | "and you shall appoint Aaron and his sons, and they shall keep their priesthood;" | Priesthood is exclusive to Aaron's line. |
| Num 18:7 | "But you and your sons with you shall attend to your priesthood..." | Priests alone have priestly duties. |
| Ex 30:7-8 | "Aaron shall burn fragrant incense on it; every morning..." | Only the High Priest performs this specific duty. |
| Lev 10:1-2 | Nadab and Abihu...offered unauthorized fire before the Lord... | Judgment for unauthorized priestly acts. |
| Num 16:1-3, 31-35 | Korah, Dathan, and Abiram rebelled...claiming priestly rights... | Rebellion against divinely ordained authority. |
| 1 Sam 13:8-14 | Saul offered the burnt offering...when only Samuel should have... | King's transgression into priestly function and consequence. |
| Prov 28:1 | The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion. | Priests' boldness in standing for righteousness. |
| Eze 2:6 | "Son of man, be not afraid of them, nor be afraid of their words..." | Courage to confront authority for God's truth. |
| Acts 4:19 | But Peter and John answered them, "Whether it is right in the sight of God... | Obey God rather than men. |
| Acts 5:29 | But Peter and the apostles answered, "We must obey God rather than men." | Obey God's commands above human authority. |
| Heb 5:4 | And no one takes this honor for himself, but only when called by God... | Divine appointment necessary for priestly service. |
| Heb 7:11-14 | If perfection had been attainable through the Levitical priesthood... | Highlights the uniqueness and limitations of the Levitical priesthood. |
| Mal 2:7 | "For the lips of a priest should guard knowledge, and people should seek..." | Priests as guardians of divine instruction. |
| Ps 118:6 | The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? | Confidence in confronting a king for God's honor. |
| Rom 13:1-2 | Let every person be subject to the governing authorities... | However, limits to civil authority when it opposes God's law. |
| Dan 3:16-18 | Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar..." | Refusal to obey unlawful commands, even by a king. |
| Matt 21:12-13 | Jesus entered the temple and drove out all who sold and bought... | Jesus' zeal for the sanctity of the temple. |
| Zech 4:14 | "These are the two anointed ones who stand by the Lord of the whole earth." | Separation and authority of both King and Priest (Joshua/Zerubbabel). |
2 Chronicles 26 verses
2 Chronicles 26 17 Meaning
This verse describes the immediate and courageous response of High Priest Azariah, accompanied by eighty other valiant priests of the Lord, who confronted King Uzziah for presumptuously entering the temple to burn incense. It signifies a decisive action to uphold the sacred boundaries and divine ordinances established for the priesthood, protecting the sanctity of God's house from unauthorized intrusion and violation by royal power.
2 Chronicles 26 17 Context
Chapter Context (2 Chronicles 26): Chapter 26 begins by extolling Uzziah (also known as Azariah) as a righteous king who sought God and was greatly prospered. He achieved military victories, strengthened Jerusalem, and innovated warfare technology. His success was attributed to God's favor and his seeking God during the time of Zechariah. However, at the peak of his power and prosperity (2 Chr 26:16), his heart was lifted up in pride. This verse marks the turning point where Uzziah, empowered by success, usurps a priestly role, leading to confrontation and divine judgment. His transgression was an act of presumption, disregarding the clear biblical separation of civil (kingly) and sacred (priestly) duties, which ultimately led to his leprosy and isolation until his death.
Historical/Cultural Context: In ancient Near Eastern cultures, kings often functioned as priests or divine representatives. However, in Israel, God uniquely established a clear division between kingship (held by the house of David) and priesthood (held by the line of Aaron within the tribe of Levi). This strict separation underscored that all authority, even royal authority, was subordinate to God's law and that no man, not even the king, could trespass upon God's specific ordinances for worship. Uzziah's act was therefore a profound theological and covenantal violation, challenging God's authority and the established divine order, unlike the syncretic or king-priest models found in surrounding pagan nations.
2 Chronicles 26 17 Word analysis
- After him: This phrase directly connects to 2 Chr 26:16, where King Uzziah "acted corruptly" by going "into the temple of the Lord to burn incense." It signifies the immediate consequence or response to Uzziah's transgressive action. The priests' intervention was not preemptive but reactive to his unauthorized entry and intention.
- came Azariah the priest: Azariah (עֲזַרְיָ֡הוּ, ‘Azaryahu), meaning "The Lord has helped." He is identified as "the priest" (hak-kohen), often implying the High Priest, as he leads such a large delegation. His role implies leadership and adherence to divine law. His name itself points to reliance on God's help in this courageous stand against the king. This individual is not to be confused with King Uzziah, who is also called Azariah in 2 Kings 15. The focus here is on his sacred office and duty.
- and with him eighty priests of the Lord: This highlights the collective strength and unanimous resolve of the priesthood. The number eighty signifies a substantial and authoritative delegation, not a small protest. It indicates a unified stand against royal usurpation, demonstrating the institutional integrity of the priestly order. "Of the Lord" (לַֽיהוָה֙, la-Yahweh) emphasizes their divine appointment and loyalty, indicating they served God and not primarily the king.
- valiant men: (בְּנֵי-חַיִל֙, beney-chayil, literally "sons of strength/valor"). This term, often used for brave warriors (e.g., in war contexts 1 Sam 14:52), here signifies moral courage and resolute determination. These priests were "valiant" not with swords on a battlefield, but in upholding divine truth and standing firm against the powerful King Uzziah in a sacred space. It speaks to their spiritual and moral fortitude in a perilous situation, demonstrating that courage extends beyond physical might to defending divine ordinances.
2 Chronicles 26 17 Bonus section
The firm stance taken by Azariah and the priests reveals a fundamental principle of biblical governance: the king's power was not absolute or divine in itself, but rather subject to the Lord's law. This stood in stark contrast to the divine monarchies common in neighboring empires, where rulers often claimed direct divinity or priestly status. In Israel, even the king had to humble himself before God and His ordained ordinances. The severity of Uzziah's leprosy, often understood as a public sign of divine displeasure and uncleanness, underscores God's deep concern for the proper reverence and handling of His holy things and dedicated offices. The priests' action preserved not just a ritualistic boundary but the very framework of God's covenant with His people, preventing a potentially devastating pattern of royal interference with divine worship. Their 'valiance' served as a spiritual bulwark, protecting the integrity of Israel's relationship with Yahweh.
2 Chronicles 26 17 Commentary
2 Chronicles 26:17 presents a pivotal moment highlighting the supremacy of divine law over human authority, even that of a king. When King Uzziah's prosperity led to pride and a presumptuous entry into the temple to assume priestly duties, Azariah, likely the High Priest, fearlessly confronted him. He was supported by a strong contingent of eighty other priests, signaling the collective commitment of the sacred office to God's covenantal order. Their act was one of great valor, risking royal wrath to protect the sanctity of God's sanctuary and the divinely ordained separation of functions. This demonstrates the unwavering responsibility of spiritual leaders to uphold God's truth, reminding all, including rulers, that there are boundaries God has set. This narrative serves as a warning against spiritual arrogance and the encroachment upon sacred roles, illustrating that disobedience to God's established order invites immediate and severe consequences.
- Example 1 (Spiritual leadership): Modern church leaders standing firm on biblical truth even when it contradicts popular opinion or powerful figures.
- Example 2 (Individual responsibility): Believers refusing to compromise on their convictions even when pressured by employers or societal norms.
- Example 3 (Institutional integrity): Denominations maintaining theological purity against internal or external pressures to dilute doctrine.