2 Chronicles 26 18

2 Chronicles 26:18 kjv

And they withstood Uzziah the king, and said unto him, It appertaineth not unto thee, Uzziah, to burn incense unto the LORD, but to the priests the sons of Aaron, that are consecrated to burn incense: go out of the sanctuary; for thou hast trespassed; neither shall it be for thine honor from the LORD God.

2 Chronicles 26:18 nkjv

And they withstood King Uzziah, and said to him, "It is not for you, Uzziah, to burn incense to the LORD, but for the priests, the sons of Aaron, who are consecrated to burn incense. Get out of the sanctuary, for you have trespassed! You shall have no honor from the LORD God."

2 Chronicles 26:18 niv

They confronted King Uzziah and said, "It is not right for you, Uzziah, to burn incense to the LORD. That is for the priests, the descendants of Aaron, who have been consecrated to burn incense. Leave the sanctuary, for you have been unfaithful; and you will not be honored by the LORD God."

2 Chronicles 26:18 esv

and they withstood King Uzziah and said to him, "It is not for you, Uzziah, to burn incense to the LORD, but for the priests, the sons of Aaron, who are consecrated to burn incense. Go out of the sanctuary, for you have done wrong, and it will bring you no honor from the LORD God."

2 Chronicles 26:18 nlt

They confronted King Uzziah and said, "It is not for you, Uzziah, to burn incense to the LORD. That is the work of the priests alone, the descendants of Aaron who are set apart for this work. Get out of the sanctuary, for you have sinned. The LORD God will not honor you for this!"

2 Chronicles 26 verses

2 Chronicles 26 18 Meaning

2 Chronicles 26:18 describes the direct confrontation between King Uzziah and eighty courageous priests, led by Azariah. The priests sternly rebuked Uzziah for entering the temple sanctuary to burn incense, an act exclusively reserved for the consecrated priests from the lineage of Aaron. They declared his action a blatant transgression against God’s divine order, warning him that such an act would bring dishonor upon him from the Lord God, rather than any honor. This pivotal moment underscores the strict boundaries of the Mosaic Law concerning priestly duties and the sanctity of the temple.

2 Chronicles 26 18 Context

King Uzziah's reign (also known as Azariah) was initially characterized by remarkable success and prosperity. For many years, "as long as he sought the Lord, God made him prosper" (2 Chr 26:5). He achieved military victories, strengthened Judah's defenses, developed agriculture, and became exceedingly powerful. However, 2 Chronicles 26:16 marks a tragic turning point: "But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up to his destruction, for he transgressed against the Lord his God by entering the temple of the Lord to burn incense on the altar of incense." His strength and success fueled his pride, leading him to overstep the divinely ordained boundaries between the kingly and priestly roles. The immediate historical context is Uzziah's bold and unauthorized entry into the Most Holy Place, leading to a confrontation with Azariah and the eighty priests. This act directly violated Mosaic Law, which explicitly forbade anyone but consecrated Aaronic priests from performing sacral duties like burning incense in the Temple. This event directly led to Uzziah being afflicted with leprosy as divine judgment, resulting in his isolation and ultimate deposition from active kingship until his death.

2 Chronicles 26 18 Word analysis

• And they withstood King Uzziah: The Hebrew verb for "withstood" is wa·ya‘amədū (וַיַּעַמְדוּ), meaning they stood against him, confronted him, or opposed him firmly. This was not a subtle suggestion but a direct, courageous challenge by eighty priests led by Azariah. It indicates a clear act of defiance against royal authority when that authority transgressed divine law, highlighting the priests' loyalty to God's commandments over human kings.
• and said to him, ‘It is not for you, Uzziah, to burn incense to the Lord:
  • ‘It is not for you’ (לֹא־לְךָ, lo-le·ḵā): A powerful, absolute negative phrase emphasizing prohibition and unsuitability. It translates to "it is not yours," or "it is not permitted to you." This underlines the strict demarcation of roles in the Israelite theocracy.
  • ‘to burn incense’ (לְהַקְטִיר קְטֹרֶת, le·haq·ṭir qeṭō·reṯ): This refers to the specific ritual of offering fragrant incense on the golden altar in the Holy Place, a solemn act of worship that symbolizes prayers ascending to God (Psa 141:2; Rev 8:3-4). This was a sacred, not secular, duty.
• but for the priests, the sons of Aaron, who are consecrated to burn incense:
  • ‘the priests, the sons of Aaron’ (הַכֹּהֲנִים בְּנֵי אַהֲרֹן, hak·kō·hănim bə·nê ’A·ha·rōn): This highlights the hereditary and lineage-specific nature of the Aaronic priesthood. Only direct descendants of Aaron, within the tribe of Levi, were Divinely appointed for this sacred service, ensuring its purity and order (Num 3:10).
  • ‘who are consecrated’ (הַמְקֻדָּשִׁים, ham·qū·dā·šim): The root qadosh (קדוש) signifies being "set apart," "holy," or "sanctified." These priests were divinely chosen and ritualistically purified for exclusive service to God. This term contrasts sharply with Uzziah's unsanctified, unauthorized entry.
• ‘Get out of the sanctuary, for you have trespassed:
  • ‘Get out of the sanctuary’ (צֵא מִן־הַמִּקְדָּשׁ, tsê min-ham·miq·dāš): A direct command to immediately depart the sacred area (the hekal, the Holy Place). The "sanctuary" (miqdash) refers specifically to the consecrated area within the Temple compound where priestly duties were performed, underscoring its holiness and restricted access.
  • ‘for you have trespassed’ (כִּי מָעַלְתָּ, kî mā‘al·tā): This is a critical legal and theological term. The Hebrew verb ma‘al (מָעַל) signifies unfaithfulness, betrayal, or sacrilege, specifically an act of treachery or transgression against God or sacred things (Lev 5:15; Num 5:6). It's more than just a sin; it implies violating a trust concerning holy matters and the established divine order. Uzziah's act was not mere ignorance but a deliberate usurpation of what was holy and forbidden to him.
• and it will not be to your honor from the Lord God.’:
  • ‘not be to your honor’ (וְלֹא־לְךָ לְכָבוֹד, wə·lō’-lə·ḵā lə·ḵā·ḇōwd): Uzziah sought kavod (כבוד - glory, honor, respect) through his act, but the priests pronounced the opposite. His actions would result in disgrace and shame from a divine perspective.
  • ‘from the Lord God’ (מֵיהוָה אֱלֹהִים, mê·hū·wāh ’Ĕ·lō·hîm): This emphasizes that the judgment and dishonor originate directly from God Himself, not merely from human opinion. The priests spoke with divine authority, pronouncing God's view on Uzziah's sacrilege. It highlights God's sovereignty over the established order and his swift punishment for defiance.

2 Chronicles 26 18 Bonus section

• Theocracy and Separation of Powers: This incident provides a significant insight into the functioning of ancient Israel's theocracy. While kings held supreme civil authority, they were never absolute; their power was bounded by divine law and complemented by the authority of the prophets (divine revelation) and priests (cultic mediation). Uzziah's attempt to merge the roles represents a dangerous usurpation that would have corrupted the distinct and essential functions designed by God for His covenant people. It highlights a type of "separation of powers" or checks and balances within the Israelite system.
• Consequences of Unauthorised Worship: Uzziah's immediate leprosy is a vivid illustration of God's severe response to unauthorized worship. Similar strong reactions from God include the deaths of Nadab and Abihu for offering "unauthorized fire" (Lev 10:1-2), and Korah's destruction for seeking the priesthood (Num 16). These incidents collectively underscore the immense holiness of God and the strictness with which He expects His commands regarding worship and service to be observed, reflecting His unchanging nature.
• Shadowing of Christ: In contrast to Uzziah's failure, Jesus Christ is the ultimate King-Priest, fulfilling the prophetic figure of Melchizedek (Gen 14, Psa 110:4; Heb 5-7). Only He, being God and man, perfectly integrates kingship and priesthood, offering a perfect sacrifice and ruling perfectly without any sin or presumption. Uzziah's attempt, therefore, serves as a dark backdrop that elevates the unique and divine nature of Christ's combined office.

2 Chronicles 26 18 Commentary

King Uzziah’s presumptuous act of attempting to burn incense in the Temple was a profound act of sacrilege stemming from an overinflated ego fed by God-given success. It was not merely a breach of protocol, but a direct affront to God's divine order and the clear separation of the priestly and royal functions meticulously established in Mosaic Law. The priestly response was a courageous defense of God's holiness and appointed boundaries. Their warning of "dishonor from the Lord God" swiftly materialized, as Uzziah was immediately struck with leprosy—a vivid, tangible manifestation of his defilement and divine judgment, forcing his isolation and the termination of his active reign. This episode serves as a powerful reminder that no human authority, no matter how great, is exempt from God’s laws or privileged to usurp roles specifically assigned by Him. It teaches that true honor comes from obedience and humility, not from arrogant ambition or the blurring of sacred distinctions. Uzziah’s fall echoes the consistent biblical theme that "pride goes before destruction" (Prov 16:18) and that obedience is better than sacrifice when it involves defiance of divine command.