2 Chronicles 26 6

2 Chronicles 26:6 kjv

And he went forth and warred against the Philistines, and brake down the wall of Gath, and the wall of Jabneh, and the wall of Ashdod, and built cities about Ashdod, and among the Philistines.

2 Chronicles 26:6 nkjv

Now he went out and made war against the Philistines, and broke down the wall of Gath, the wall of Jabneh, and the wall of Ashdod; and he built cities around Ashdod and among the Philistines.

2 Chronicles 26:6 niv

He went to war against the Philistines and broke down the walls of Gath, Jabneh and Ashdod. He then rebuilt towns near Ashdod and elsewhere among the Philistines.

2 Chronicles 26:6 esv

He went out and made war against the Philistines and broke through the wall of Gath and the wall of Jabneh and the wall of Ashdod, and he built cities in the territory of Ashdod and elsewhere among the Philistines.

2 Chronicles 26:6 nlt

Uzziah declared war on the Philistines and broke down the walls of Gath, Jabneh, and Ashdod. Then he built new towns in the Ashdod area and in other parts of Philistia.

2 Chronicles 26 verses

2 Chronicles 26 6 Meaning

King Uzziah of Judah engaged in military action against the Philistines, successfully demolishing the fortified walls of their prominent cities, Gath, Jabneh, and Ashdod. This victory extended beyond mere destruction, as he subsequently established and fortified new settlements within these conquered Philistine territories. This demonstrates Uzziah's military strength and God-given prosperity, allowing Judah to expand its dominion and secure its borders against a long-standing adversary.

2 Chronicles 26 6 Context

Chapter 26 opens by introducing Uzziah as the sixteen-year-old king of Judah, highlighting that he "sought God in the days of Zechariah, who instructed him in the fear of God; and as long as he sought the Lord, God made him prosper." This verse (26:6) is a direct demonstration of that prosperity and divine favor manifesting in military success. Historically, the Philistines were perennial enemies and threats to Israel's coastal plain and western border, often challenging their territorial claims and security. Uzziah's aggressive campaign marked a significant reversal of Judah's standing, projecting its power further west and bringing areas that had long been contested, or even occupied by Philistines, back under Judahite influence. This was a period of resurgence and expansion for Judah after centuries of fluctuating power against its western neighbors.

2 Chronicles 26 6 Word analysis

• He went out: Hebrew: יָצָא (yatsa'). This verb implies an aggressive, deliberate military expedition, not merely a defensive skirmish. It indicates proactive kingly leadership and confidence.
• made war: Hebrew: לָחַם (lacham). To fight, to engage in combat. Conveys the direct military action undertaken.
• against the Philistines: Hebrew: פְּלִשְׁתִּים (Pəlištīm). These were an ancient people residing on the coastal plain of Canaan, perpetual antagonists of Israel. Their defeat signified Judah's re-establishment as a regional power.
• broke down: Hebrew: פָּרַץ (paratz). To break through, burst forth, or tear down. This strong verb indicates not merely damage but utter destruction, breaching the fortifications, signifying absolute conquest and subjugation of the enemy cities.
• the wall: Hebrew: חוֹמָה (chomah). A city wall, a primary form of defense and a symbol of a city's sovereignty and strength in the ancient Near East. Their destruction signaled the loss of independence.
• Gath, Jabneh, and Ashdod: Three significant Philistine city-states.
  • Gath (גַּת): One of the five major Philistine cities, famous for being Goliath's hometown and frequently a major thorn in Israel's side. Its fall was highly symbolic.
  • Jabneh (יַבְנֶה): Located north of Ashdod, along the coast. Its conquest further secured the coastal plain.
  • Ashdod (אַשְׁדּוֹד): Another major Philistine pentapolis city, a religious center of Dagon worship. Its conquest represented a major blow to Philistine religious and political influence.
• and he built cities: Hebrew: בָּנָה (banah - built), עָרִים (arim - cities). This highlights that Uzziah's campaign was not just destructive but strategic and constructive. Building new cities or rebuilding conquered ones indicates permanent occupation, annexation, and the assertion of administrative control over the defeated territory, absorbing it into the kingdom of Judah. This implies strategic settlement, possibly for trade routes or defense.
• in the territory of Ashdod and elsewhere among the Philistines: Hebrew: תְּחוּם (təchum - territory/border). This phrase indicates the extent of Uzziah's dominion—he was settling his people and fortifying Judahite presence deep within traditionally Philistine lands, expanding the kingdom's effective reach.

2 Chronicles 26 6 Bonus section

• The Chronicler's emphasis on Uzziah's military and building successes serves to showcase the blessings poured out when a king "seeks God." This prosperity extended to other areas mentioned in the chapter, like his well-equipped army and sophisticated weaponry, making Judah a formidable regional power.
• The re-establishment of Judahite presence in Philistine territory also echoes the unfulfilled promises of full possession of the land. Uzziah, in this moment of seeking God, achieves a measure of this long-sought territorial fulfillment against enemies often cited for their persistent defiance against the Israelites.
• Uzziah's campaigns provided Judah with crucial access to the lucrative trade routes of the coastal plain, which would have significantly boosted the nation's economic prosperity. This is part of the comprehensive "prosperity" granted by God.
• The Philistine cities were not merely broken; they were subsequently rebuilt, not by the Philistines, but by Uzziah. This is an act of colonization and assimilation, transforming former enemy strongholds into Judahite administrative centers or defensive outposts. This goes beyond a simple raid, indicating a comprehensive and deliberate strategy to expand the kingdom's effective borders and secure access to new resources.

2 Chronicles 26 6 Commentary

Second Chronicles 26:6 succinctly presents a vivid account of King Uzziah's God-enabled military prowess, underscoring a period of Judah's significant strength and expansion. His victory over the Philistines, long-standing adversaries and symbols of resistance to God's people, demonstrates divine favor. The act of "breaking down the wall" of Gath, Jabneh, and Ashdod was more than a military maneuver; it was a potent act of humiliating and subjugating an enemy, removing their physical and symbolic strength. Walls represented a city's security, identity, and sovereignty; their destruction signaled total defeat. More significantly, Uzziah's subsequent "building of cities" in these territories highlights a strategic depth beyond mere conquest. This implies long-term annexation, settlement of Judahite population, and consolidation of gains, transforming conquered land into an integrated part of his kingdom. This act of building after conquest served as a polemic against the strength of pagan Philistine gods, demonstrating YHWH's absolute supremacy as the God who grants victory and dominion. This success of Uzziah is directly attributed by the Chronicler to his faithful seeking of God (v. 5), serving as a crucial theological message: true national prosperity and security are found in obedience to the Lord, not in human strength alone.