Topical Encyclopedia Uzziah, also known as Azariah, was a king of Judah who reigned for 52 years during the 8th century BC. His reign is noted for its prosperity and military success, as well as for a significant personal downfall that resulted in a severe disease. The account of Uzziah's life and reign is primarily found in 2 Kings 15:1-7 and 2 Chronicles 26.Uzziah's reign began when he was just sixteen years old, and he was initially faithful to God, which brought blessings upon his kingdom. Under his leadership, Judah experienced economic growth, military victories, and advancements in agriculture and infrastructure. 2 Chronicles 26:5 states, "He sought God throughout the days of Zechariah, who instructed him in the fear of God. As long as he sought the LORD, God gave him success." However, Uzziah's success led to pride, which became his downfall. In a moment of arrogance, he unlawfully entered the temple of the LORD to burn incense on the altar, a duty reserved exclusively for the priests, the descendants of Aaron. This act of disobedience is recorded in 2 Chronicles 26:16-18 : "But after Uzziah became powerful, his pride led to his downfall. He was unfaithful to the LORD his God, for he entered the temple of the LORD to burn incense on the altar of incense. Azariah the priest, along with eighty other courageous priests of the LORD, went in after him. They confronted King Uzziah and said, 'It is not for you, Uzziah, to burn incense to the LORD, but for the priests, the descendants of Aaron, who have been consecrated to burn incense. Leave the sanctuary, for you have acted unfaithfully! You will not be honored by the LORD God.'" As a consequence of his transgression, Uzziah was struck with leprosy, a severe skin disease that rendered him ceremonially unclean and required him to live in isolation. 2 Chronicles 26:19-21 describes the moment: "Uzziah, who had a censer in his hand ready to burn incense, became angry. But while he was raging at the priests in their presence before the incense altar in the LORD’s temple, leprosy broke out on his forehead. When Azariah the chief priest and all the priests looked at him, they saw that he was leprous on his forehead. So they hurried him out. Indeed, he himself was eager to leave, because the LORD had afflicted him. So King Uzziah had leprosy until the day of his death. He lived in a separate house, leprous and excluded from the house of the LORD. Jotham his son had charge of the palace and governed the people of the land." Uzziah's leprosy serves as a poignant reminder of the consequences of pride and disobedience to God's commandments. His disease not only affected his personal life but also had implications for his rule, as he was unable to fulfill his kingly duties and had to pass on the responsibilities to his son, Jotham. The account of Uzziah underscores the importance of humility and obedience to God's laws, illustrating how even a successful and powerful leader can fall when he turns away from divine guidance. Nave's Topical Index 2 Chronicles 26:17-20And Azariah the priest went in after him, and with him fourscore priests of the LORD, that were valiant men: Nave's Topical Index Library The Kingdom Op Judah. The Law, and the Prophecy. Book 9 Footnotes The Works of John Cassian. The Antiquities of the Jews Oration Concerning Simeon and Anna Concerning Widows. Israel's Hope; Or, the Centre of the Target Discussion of the Subject of Permission Come and Welcome to Jesus Christ; Resources How can a Christian cope while suffering with a degenerative disease? | GotQuestions.orgHow should a Christian respond to contracting a sexually transmitted disease (STD)? | GotQuestions.org What does the Bible say about pandemic diseases/sicknesses? | GotQuestions.org Disease: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Disease: Miraculous Healing of, a Sign to Accompany the Preaching of the Word Disease: Physicians Employed For Disease: Threatened As Judgments Disease: Treatment of Fractures Gonorrhea: General Scriptures Concerning Gout (?): General Scriptures Concerning Spermatorrhea: A Disease of the Genital Organs Related Terms |
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