Topical Encyclopedia Leprosy, a chronic infectious disease, is frequently mentioned in the Bible as a condition that rendered individuals ceremonially unclean and often led to their isolation from the community. The case of King Azariah, also known as Uzziah, is a notable instance of leprosy in the Old Testament.Azariah (Uzziah) and His Reign Azariah, referred to as Uzziah in some biblical passages, was a king of Judah who reigned for 52 years. His reign is documented in 2 Kings 15 and 2 Chronicles 26. Azariah was known for his military successes and his efforts to strengthen the kingdom of Judah. He was a king who initially did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, following the example of his father Amaziah. The Sin of Azariah and the Onset of Leprosy Despite his accomplishments, Azariah's reign was marred by a significant transgression that led to his affliction with leprosy. The Bible records that Azariah's pride led him to enter 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 presumption was a direct violation of the divine order established by God. 2 Chronicles 26:16-19 describes the incident: "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.' Uzziah, who had a censer in his hand ready to burn incense, became angry. 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." Consequences and Isolation As a result of his disobedience, Azariah was struck with leprosy, a condition that not only affected his health but also his status as king. The leprosy appeared on his forehead, a visible sign of his transgression and a mark of divine judgment. According to the law, lepers were required to live in isolation to prevent the spread of the disease and to maintain the ceremonial purity of the community. 2 Chronicles 26:21 states: "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." Legacy and Lessons Azariah's experience serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of pride and disobedience to God's commandments. His leprosy not only led to his physical and social isolation but also symbolized the spiritual separation that results from sin. Despite his initial faithfulness and achievements, Azariah's legacy is overshadowed by his failure to honor the sanctity of God's temple and the priestly office. The account of Azariah's leprosy underscores the importance of humility and obedience to God's established order, highlighting the need for reverence and respect for the roles and responsibilities ordained by the LORD. Nave's Topical Index 2 Kings 15:5And the LORD smote the king, so that he was a leper to the day of his death, and dwelled in a several house. And Jotham the king's son was over the house, judging the people of the land. Nave's Topical Index Library On the Article, and in one Holy Ghost, the Comforter, which Spake ... Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire ... Resources What is the meaning of impurity in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the story of the ten lepers in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Who was Gehazi in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Leprosy: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Leprosy: A Common Disease Among the Jews Leprosy: Ceremonies at Cleansing of Leprosy: Christ Gave Power to Heal Leprosy: Garments: Incurable Infected With, Burned Leprosy: Garments: Infected With, to Have the Piece First Torn Out Leprosy: Garments: Suspected of, But not Having, Washed and Pronounced Clean Leprosy: Garments: Suspected of, Shown to Priest Leprosy: Garments: Suspected of, Shut up Seven Days Leprosy: Healed: Disciples Empowered to Heal Leprosy: Houses: Ceremonies at Cleansing of Leprosy: Houses: Incurably Infected With, Pulled Down and Removed Leprosy: Houses: Infected With, Communicated Uncleanness to Everyone Who Leprosy: Houses: Suspected of, But not Infected, Pronounced Clean Leprosy: Houses: Suspected of, Emptied Leprosy: Houses: Suspected of, Inspected by Priest Leprosy: Houses: Suspected of, Reported to Priest Leprosy: Houses: Suspected of, Shut up Seven Days Leprosy: Houses: To Have the Part Infected With, First Removed, and the Rest Leprosy: Leprosy not Mentioned Above: Azariah Leprosy: Leprosy not Mentioned Above: Four Lepers Outside Samaria Leprosy: Leprosy not Mentioned Above: Simon Leprosy: Less Inveterate when It Covered the Whole Body Leprosy: Often Began With a Bright Red Spot Leprosy: Often Sent As a Punishment for Sin Leprosy: Parts Affected by The Beard Leprosy: Parts Affected by The Forehead Leprosy: Parts Affected by The Hand Leprosy: Parts Affected by The Head Leprosy: Parts Affected by The Whole Body Leprosy: Power of Christ Manifested in Curing Leprosy: Power of God Manifested in Curing Leprosy: Sent As a Judgment On: Gehazi Leprosy: Sent As a Judgment On: Miriam Leprosy: Sent As a Judgment On: Uzziah Leprosy: The Priests: Examined all Persons Healed of Leprosy: The Priests: Examined Persons Suspected of Leprosy: The Priests: had Rules for Distinguishing Leprosy: The Priests: Judges and Directors in Cases of Leprosy: The Priests: Shut up Persons Suspected of, Seven Days Leprosy: Those Afflicted With: Associated Together Leprosy: Those Afflicted With: Ceremonially Unclean Leprosy: Those Afflicted With: Cut off from God's House Leprosy: Those Afflicted With: Dwelt in a Separate House Leprosy: Those Afflicted With: Excluded from Priest's office Leprosy: Those Afflicted With: Separated from Intercourse With Others Leprosy: Those Afflicted With: To Cry Unclean when Approached Leprosy: Those Afflicted With: To Have Their Heads Bare, Clothes Rent, and Lip Covered Leprosy: Turned the Hair White or Yellow Leprosy: Turned the Skin White Related Terms |
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