2 Chronicles 26 20

2 Chronicles 26:20 kjv

And Azariah the chief priest, and all the priests, looked upon him, and, behold, he was leprous in his forehead, and they thrust him out from thence; yea, himself hasted also to go out, because the LORD had smitten him.

2 Chronicles 26:20 nkjv

And Azariah the chief priest and all the priests looked at him, and there, on his forehead, he was leprous; so they thrust him out of that place. Indeed he also hurried to get out, because the LORD had struck him.

2 Chronicles 26:20 niv

When Azariah the chief priest and all the other priests looked at him, they saw that he had leprosy on his forehead, so they hurried him out. Indeed, he himself was eager to leave, because the LORD had afflicted him.

2 Chronicles 26:20 esv

And Azariah the chief priest and all the priests looked at him, and behold, he was leprous in his forehead! And they rushed him out quickly, and he himself hurried to go out, because the LORD had struck him.

2 Chronicles 26:20 nlt

When Azariah the high priest and all the other priests saw the leprosy, they rushed him out. And the king himself was eager to get out because the LORD had struck him.

2 Chronicles 26 verses

2 Chronicles 26 20 Meaning

2 Chronicles 26:20 details the immediate aftermath of King Uzziah's transgression of burning incense in the Temple. It describes how Azariah the chief priest and all the attendant priests visually confirmed that Uzziah's forehead was struck with leprosy. This visual confirmation led to their urgent expulsion of him from the holy place. The verse also notes Uzziah's own eagerness to leave, indicating his recognition of the divine judgment and his resulting defilement, which necessitated his removal, as the Lord Himself had inflicted the disease upon him. It signifies the divine response to pride and usurpation of sacred office.

2 Chronicles 26 20 Context

Chapter 26 of 2 Chronicles details the reign of King Uzziah (also known as Azariah in some parallel accounts, like 2 Kings). He began his reign as a righteous king who sought God, and as a result, he prospered greatly, excelling in military strength, agricultural development, and architectural achievements. However, verse 16 marks a turning point: "But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up, to his destruction." In his pride, Uzziah decided to burn incense in the temple, an act reserved exclusively for the Aaronic priests (Ex 30:7; Num 18:7). The priests, led by Azariah, confronted him, warning him of his transgression (2 Chron 26:17-18). Uzziah became enraged at their correction, and in that moment of defiant anger, leprosy immediately broke out on his forehead. Verse 20 follows directly, describing the priests' reaction to this divine judgment, confirming his leprosy, and promptly expelling him from the holy sanctuary, as mandated by Levitical law for the defiled.

Historically, this event underscores the distinct roles of king and priest in Israel. While the king had significant temporal authority, he was not permitted to infringe upon the sacred priestly duties. This was a critical distinction, asserting God's sovereignty over all human institutions, including monarchy. Leprosy in ancient Israel was not merely a disease but often a sign of divine judgment, requiring immediate separation from the community and especially from sacred spaces. The forehead being struck emphasized the immediate, visible judgment on his proud face, reflecting his sin directly.

2 Chronicles 26 20 Word analysis

• And Azariah the chief priest:
  • Azariah (עֲזַרְיָהוּ - Azaryahu): Means "Yahweh has helped." He was the specific individual who confronted King Uzziah. His name stands in contrast to Uzziah's behavior, where the King refused God's help by obeying the law, whereas Azariah faithfully administered it.
  • Chief priest (הַכֹּהֵן הָרֹאשׁ - ha-kohen ha-rosh, often translated from ha-kohen ha-gadol): Signifies the head of the priestly order, responsible for overseeing Temple operations and maintaining the sanctity of God's house. His leadership here underscores the gravity of Uzziah's offense against divine protocol. The chief priest's role was to be the guardian of the divine laws regarding holy spaces and rituals.
• and all the priests: Implies a collective witnessing and confirmation. Their united presence lends weight and authority to the action of expelling Uzziah. It was not just one priest's opinion but the consensus of those ordained to manage sacred things.
• looked at him: The priests closely inspected Uzziah. This wasn't a casual glance but a deliberate assessment, likely informed by their knowledge of Levitical laws concerning defilement, particularly leprosy. It was a formal priestly examination.
• and behold, he was leprous:
  • Behold (וְהִנֵּה - v'hineh): An interjection that draws attention to a sudden, striking, and undeniable reality. It emphasizes the immediacy and clarity of the judgment.
  • Leprous (מְצֹרָע - metsora') / Leprosy (צָרַעַת - tzara'at): Not exclusively modern Hansen's disease, but a broader category of skin conditions in ancient Israel, often associated with spiritual impurity and divine judgment (e.g., Num 12 for Miriam, 2 Kgs 5 for Gehazi). Its breaking out on Uzziah was the direct consequence of his sacrilegious act.
• on his forehead!:
  • The forehead is a highly visible part of the body, symbolizing Uzziah's public identity, authority, and perhaps even his will or intellect. The leprosy appearing here made the divine judgment impossible to conceal and was a glaring mark of his rebellion against God's order. It directly marred his royal dignity.
• So they hurried him out of there:
  • Hurried (וַיַּבְהִלֻהוּ - vayavhiluhu): Conveys a sense of urgency and necessity. The defilement of the holy place by a leper demanded immediate removal to preserve its sanctity. This expulsion was an act of preserving God's holiness.
• and he himself was anxious to get out:
  • Anxious / hurrying (וְגַם־הוּא נִדְחָף - v'gam-hu nidkhaph): Shows Uzziah's recognition of his own defilement and the divine judgment. He, too, felt the immediate necessity to be separated, likely overwhelmed by the sudden and undeniable manifestation of God's wrath and his new state of impurity. It also implies that despite his previous pride, the stark reality of God's judgment humbled him enough to comply immediately.
• because the Lord had struck him:
  • This phrase clearly attributes the leprosy directly to divine intervention. It leaves no room for naturalistic explanations but unequivocally identifies God as the one who meted out the judgment. This is the ultimate cause for both the leprosy and the swift expulsion. The use of "the Lord" (YHWH) emphasizes the covenant God of Israel delivering judgment on His anointed king who broke His covenant terms regarding holiness.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And Azariah the chief priest and all the priests looked at him, and behold, he was leprous on his forehead!": This sequence highlights the confirmation of divine judgment through authorized religious personnel. The collective witness and the sudden, undeniable appearance of leprosy ("behold!") on such a prominent part of his body emphasize the public, unambiguous nature of God's direct intervention. It shows priestly vigilance and the immediate physical manifestation of the curse on one who defied God.
• "So they hurried him out of there, and he himself was anxious to get out because the Lord had struck him.": This portion focuses on the response to divine judgment. The priests' urgent expulsion and Uzziah's immediate compliance demonstrate adherence to the sacred laws of separation for defilement. The phrase "because the Lord had struck him" provides the irrefutable theological basis for both the judgment and the subsequent actions. It signifies the absolute authority of God over king and priest alike, upholding the sanctity of His presence.

2 Chronicles 26 20 Bonus section

The story of Uzziah's leprosy emphasizes a fundamental theological principle: God's holiness necessitates purity and order, particularly in approaching Him. The Temple was the earthly dwelling place of His manifest presence, and rituals were prescribed to ensure that human sin did not defile this holy space or profane God's name. Uzziah's attempt to enter the holy place and perform priestly duties without authorization was an act of spiritual rebellion. This also highlights a significant aspect of covenant life in ancient Israel, where even kings were subservient to God's law and His ordained religious hierarchy. It provides a historical precedent for the separation of powers between civil and religious authority, albeit with distinct differences from modern conceptions, reinforcing that ultimately, all authority submits to God's ultimate sovereignty.

2 Chronicles 26 20 Commentary

2 Chronicles 26:20 serves as a potent reminder of the inviolability of God's holiness and the severe consequences of encroaching upon His sacred commands and designated offices. King Uzziah, who had enjoyed unparalleled success through divine favor, succumbed to the sin of pride, leading him to usurp the priestly function of burning incense in the Temple. This was not a minor misstep but a direct challenge to the divinely established order distinguishing royal and priestly duties, an act reminiscent of Saul's unlawful sacrifice (1 Sam 13).

The immediate eruption of leprosy on Uzziah's forehead, confirmed by Azariah the chief priest and all his fellow priests, underscores the instantaneous and public nature of divine judgment. Leprosy, in ancient Israel, was frequently understood as a mark of defilement and often associated with divine wrath (e.g., Miriam, Gehazi), rendering the afflicted an outcast from the community and certainly from the holy presence of God. The forehead, a visible and prominent part of the body, signifies that Uzziah's sin and God's judgment were evident for all to see, defacing his regal dignity with a mark of ritual impurity.

The swift and decisive action of the priests, "hurrying him out of there," speaks to their unwavering commitment to uphold the sanctity of God's house and adhere to the laws regarding purity. Equally significant is Uzziah's own "anxiety to get out," indicating that even he, despite his initial defiance, recognized the sovereign hand of God in his affliction and the immediate necessity of separation. This was not a human decision for expulsion but a compelled departure based on a divine verdict. The verse directly attributes the leprosy to "the Lord had struck him," leaving no doubt that this was an act of direct divine intervention against Uzziah's arrogance and sacrilege. This event teaches that God does not tolerate contempt for His holy commands or the violation of boundaries He sets, regardless of one's status or past achievements. His holiness demands respect, and any trespass incurs certain consequences.