Ch. 2 Chronicles 26:1-4 (= 2 Kings 14:21-22; 2 Kings 15:2-3). Uzziah’s Reign

1. all the people of Judah] Cp. 2 Chronicles 22:1.

Uzziah] Called “Azariah” in 1 Chronicles 3:12 and in 2 Kin. (eight times), but “Uzziah” in 2 Kings 15:13; 2 Kings 15:32; 2 Kings 15:34; Isaiah 1:1; Isaiah 6:1; Hosea 1:1; Amos 1:1; Zechariah 14:5. It has been supposed that this king is mentioned under the name of Az-ri-ja-a-u (i.e. “Azariah”) on an injured and obscure inscription of Tiglath-Pileser III. (reigned 745–727 b.c.) of Assyria, but the identification is doubtful. The two forms of the name when written in Heb. consonants closely resemble each other; the meanings moreover of the two are similar, “Jah is my strength” and “Jah hath given help.” Most likely the king bore both names; cp. “Abram” and “Abraham”—“Eliakim and Jehoiakim” (2 Chronicles 36:4).

2. Eloth] So spelt in 2 Chronicles 8:17 (= 1 Kings 9:26), but “Elath” in Deuteronomy 2:8; 2 Kings 14:22. In 2 Kings 16:6 the two forms are found side by side in one verse. The word is probably of foreign origin, and such words are seldom of fixed form when adopted into common language; cp. the various forms of “Damascus” (1 Chronicles 18:5, note).

after that the king, etc.] We conjecture that this phrase means that it was after king Amaziah slept with his fathers that Uzziah his son restored Elath to Judah. If this be right, we must suppose that Uzziah reigned in Jerusalem for some time, while his father was in refuge at Lachish. Some years of history may be crowded into 2 Chronicles 25:27. The meaning of the present passage will be that Uzziah built Elath after he became sole and undisputed king.

3. Jecoliah] R.V. Jechiliah (so C’thib; A.V. follows the Ḳ’ri and the parallel passage of Kings.

4. his father Amaziah] This verse suits its original context in Kings, for Kings records nothing against Amaziah; it is however out of place in Chron., for according to 2 Chronicles 25:14 Amaziah was an idolater.

5–10 (not in Kings). The Prosperity of Uzziah

5. Zechariah] Nothing is known (apart from this passage) of this Zechariah. He is hardly to be identified with the author of Zechariah 12-14, though there is an allusion to Uzziah’s reign in Zechariah 14:5.

who had understanding] R.V. mg., “who gave instruction”; Heb. mçbîn, a word applied to a leader of song (1 Chronicles 15:22, “skilful”; ib. 1 Chronicles 25:7, “conning”; Ch 25:8, “teacher”).

in the visions of God] Read, in the fear of God (so LXX., Targ. Pesh.), making a slight correction of the Heb. text.

6. the Philistines] Cp. 2 Chronicles 21:16; 2 Chronicles 28:18; 2 Kings 18:8; 1Ma 5:66-68; 1Ma 14:34. Wars against the Philistines continned almost down to Roman times.

brake down the wall of Gath] See note on 2 Chronicles 25:23.

Jabneh] Mentioned here only in the O.T., but probably to be Identified with “Jabneel” (Joshua 15:11). At a later date It was called “Jamnia” (2Ma 12:8). Its ruins are to be seen about 10 miles south of Jaffa (Joppa) on the coast. The modern Yebna is a few miles inland. Bädeker, p. 159.

Ashdod] Cp. 1 Samuel 5:1 ff.; Isaiah 20:1; Zephaniah 2:4; Nehemiah 4:7; Nehemiah 13:23; Acts 8:40 (Ἄζωτος). Now Esdud. Bädeker, 159.

about Ashdod] R.V. in the country of Ashdod (lit. “in Ashdod”). Perhaps the name has been repeated through an early scribal error and we should read simply “and built cities among the Philistines.”

7. Gur-baal] An unidentified place; a “Gur” is mentioned in 2 Kings 9:27. A slight correction of the Heb. would give, “in Gerar (cp. Genesis 20:1) and against the Meunim.”

Mehunims] R.V. Meunim; cp. 2 Chronicles 20:1 (note).

8. gave gifts] Cp. 1 Chronicles 18:2 (note).

he strengthened himself exceedingly] R.V. he waxed exceeding strong.

9. the corner gate] Cp. 2 Chronicles 25:23 (note).

the valley gate] Nehemiah 2:13; Nehemiah 3:13. On the west of the city (Bädeker, p. 24).

the turning of the wall] Mentioned Nehemiah 3:19; Nehemiah 3:24.

10. the desert] R.V. the wilderness (where the pastures were: cp. Psalm 65:12).

digged many wells] R.V. hewed out many cisterns.

both in the low country, and in the plains] R.V. in the lowland also, and in the plain (mg. table land). For the “lowland” (Heb. Shephçlah) see 2 Chronicles 1:15 (note). “The table land” (Heb. Mishor) is the name of the high pasture lands east of Jordan; apparently the part occupied by the Ammonites whom Uzziah had subdued is meant here.

husbandmen also] R.V. and he had husbandmen.

Carmel] R.V. the fruitful fields. “Carmel” is not always a proper name, nor does it always refer to the well-known mountain. In 1 Samuel 25:2 it designates a spot in the south of Judah near Maon; in 2 Kings 19:23 “of his Carmel” (A.V.) should be “of his fruitful field” (R.V.).

11–15 (no parallel in Kings). Uzziah’s Army

11. by bands] This expression indicates that this army was used not for some great war, offensive or defensive, but for marauding or “punitive” expeditions against neighbouring tribes.

of their account by the hand of Jeiel] R.V. of their reckoning made by Jeiel.

the ruler] R.V. the officer. The same Heb. word (shôṭçr) is used Deuteronomy 20:5; Deuteronomy 20:8-9.

12. the chief of the fathers of the mighty men] R.V. the heads of fathers’ houses, even the mighty men.

were two thousand] R.V. was two thousand.

13. an army] R.V. a trained army.

three hundred thousand and seven thousand and five hundred] This total corresponds roughly with the 300,000 men who formed Amaziah’s army; 2 Chronicles 25:5. Cp. note on 2 Chronicles 14:8 (the forces of Asa and of Jehoshaphat).

14. throughout all the host] R.V. even for all the host.

habergeons] R.V. coats of mail. Skeat (Cambridge Companion to the Bible, p. 549) explains habergeon as “a smaller kind of hauberk, a coat of mail covering the neck and breast.” Cp. Nehemiah 4:16 (with Ryle’s note).

slings to cast stones] R.V. stones for slinging. Such stones needed to be carefully chosen, for they had to be smooth and of a suitable size. A water-course was the most suitable place for finding them (1 Samuel 17:40).

15. engines] Cp. 1Ma 6:51-52 and article Engine Hastings’ Bible Dictionary.

bulwarks] R.V. battlements (lit. “corners”).

helped] Cp. 2 Chronicles 26:7.

16. to his destruction] R.V. so that he did corruptly; cp. 2 Chronicles 27:2 (the same Heb. word).

he transgressed] R.V. trespassed; cp. 2 Chronicles 12:2; Joshua 7:1; Joshua 22:16. The Heb. word implies presumptuous dealing with holy things.

the altar of incense] Cp. Exodus 30:1-10. Not only the altar, but the incense Itself was “most holy”; ib. Exodus 30:34-38.

16–20 (not in Kings). Uzziah’s Presumption

For a discussion of the historical probabilities of this account see the Introduction § 8.

17. Azariah the priest] i.e. the high-priest (2 Chronicles 26:20). He cannot be identified certainly with any priest in the list given 1 Chronicles 6:4-15 (5:30–41, Heb.).

18. the priests the sons of Aaron] Cp. 2 Chronicles 13:10-11 and Numbers 16:40. neither shall it be for thine honour] A euphemism, a threat of danger and disgrace.

19. and had] R.V. and he had.

even rose up] R.V. brake forth.

20. thrust him out] R.V. thrust him out quickly.

the Lord had smitten him] So 2 Kings 15:5.

21–23 (= 2 Kings 15:5-7). The End of Uzziah

21. a several house] i.e. separate, special; cp. Numbers 28:13; Matthew 25:15. The same Heb. word is used in Psalm 88:5, “free (R.V. “cast off”) among the dead.”

cut off] The same Heb. word is translated in the same way in Isaiah 53:8.

22. did Isaiah … write] This statement is not in Kings. Uzziah is mentioned in Isaiah 6:1.

23. the field of the burial] R.V. the field of burial. In Kings, “in the city of David.”