Introduction:
Uzzia, also known as Uzziah, is a figure mentioned in the Hebrew Bible, specifically in the Old Testament. He is primarily recognized as the king of Judah and is noted for his long and prosperous reign. His account is found in the books of 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles. Uzzia's reign is marked by both military success and a significant spiritual downfall, which serves as a cautionary tale about pride and disobedience to God.

Name and Identity:
The name Uzzia means "The LORD is my strength" in Hebrew. He is also referred to as Azariah in some biblical passages, which means "Yahweh has helped." Uzzia was the son of Amaziah, king of Judah, and his mother was Jecoliah of Jerusalem (2 Kings 15:1-2; 2 Chronicles 26:1-3).

Reign as King:
Uzzia became king of Judah at the age of sixteen after the people of Judah made him king following the assassination of his father, Amaziah. His reign lasted for fifty-two years, making it one of the longest in the history of the kingdom of Judah (2 Kings 15:2; 2 Chronicles 26:3).

Military and Economic Achievements:
Uzzia's reign was marked by significant military and economic achievements. He successfully waged wars against the Philistines, Arabs, and Meunites, expanding Judah's territory and influence (2 Chronicles 26:6-8). Uzzia fortified Jerusalem by building towers at the Corner Gate, the Valley Gate, and the angle of the wall, and he equipped his army with advanced weaponry, including engines designed to shoot arrows and large stones (2 Chronicles 26:9-15).

Under his leadership, Judah experienced economic prosperity. Uzzia developed agriculture by digging many wells and promoting livestock farming, as he loved the soil (2 Chronicles 26:10). His reign brought about a period of peace and stability, contributing to the overall prosperity of the nation.

Spiritual Downfall:
Despite his successes, Uzzia's reign was marred by a significant spiritual downfall. As his power and fame grew, so did his pride. In a moment of arrogance, Uzzia entered the temple of the LORD to burn incense on the altar, a duty reserved exclusively for the priests, the descendants of Aaron (2 Chronicles 26:16-18). This act of disobedience was a direct violation of God's commandments regarding temple worship.

When confronted by Azariah the priest and eighty other courageous priests, Uzzia became angry. As a result of his transgression, God struck him with leprosy, which appeared on his forehead while he was still in the temple (2 Chronicles 26:19-20). Uzzia lived the remainder of his life in isolation, cut off from the house of the LORD, and his son Jotham took over the responsibilities of governing the people (2 Chronicles 26:21).

Death and Legacy:
Uzzia died and was buried in a field for burial that belonged to the kings, though not in the royal tombs, due to his leprosy (2 Kings 15:7; 2 Chronicles 26:23). His reign is remembered for both its achievements and its cautionary tale of pride leading to downfall. Uzzia's account serves as a reminder of the importance of humility and obedience to God's commands.

Biblical References:
· 2 Kings 15:1-7
· 2 Chronicles 26:1-23
· Isaiah 6:1 (mentions the year of Uzzia's death)

Related Topics:
· Kings of Judah
· Pride and Humility
· Leprosy in the Bible
· Temple Worship and Priestly DutiesUzzia

(strength of Jehovah), one of David's guard, and apparently a native of Ashtaroth beyond Jordan. (1 Chronicles 11:44) (B.C. 1053.)

UZZIA

u-zi'-a (`uzziya', "my strength is Yah"; see UZZIAH): An Ashterathite and one of David's mighty men (1 Chronicles 11:44).

5814. Uzziyya -- one of David's heroes
... 5813, 5814. Uzziyya. 5815 . one of David's heroes. Transliteration: Uzziyya
Phonetic Spelling: (ooz-zee-yaw') Short Definition: Uzzia. ... Uzzia. ...
/hebrew/5814.htm - 6kUzzia (1 Occurrence)
...UZZIA. u-zi'-a (`uzziya', "my strength is Yah"; see UZZIAH): An Ashterathite and
one of David's mighty men (1 Chronicles 11:44). ...Uzzia (1 Occurrence). ...
/u/uzzia.htm - 6k

Uzzi'a (1 Occurrence)
Uzzi'a. Uzzia, Uzzi'a. Uzziah . ... Uzzi'a (1 Occurrence). 1 Chronicles 11:44 Uzzia
the Ashterathite, Shama and Jeiel the sons of Hotham the Aroerite; (See RSV) ...
/u/uzzi'a.htm - 6k

Ashterathite (1 Occurrence)
... ASHTERATHITE. ash'-te-rath-it, ash-ter'-ath-it (ha-`ashterathi): A native of
Ashtaroth: Uzzia, one of David's heroes (1 Chronicles 11:44). ...
/a/ashterathite.htm - 7k

Uzzi (11 Occurrences)

/u/uzzi.htm - 12k

Je-i'el (11 Occurrences)
... Maacah: (See RSV). 1 Chronicles 11:44 Uzzia the Ashterathite, Shama and Jeiel
the sons of Hotham the Aroerite, (See RSV). 1 Chronicles 15 ...
/j/je-i'el.htm - 9k

Jehiel (17 Occurrences)
... WBS YLT). 1 Chronicles 11:44 Uzzia the Ashterathite, Shama and Jehiel the
sons of Hothan the Aroerite, (KJV WBS YLT). 1 Chronicles ...
/j/jehiel.htm - 16k

Jeiel (13 Occurrences)
... NIV). 1 Chronicles 11:44 Uzzia the Ashterathite, Shama and Jeiel the sons
of Hotham the Aroerite, (WEB JPS ASV BBE DBY NAS NIV). 1 ...
/j/jeiel.htm - 13k

Ashtarothite (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Ashtarothite (1 Occurrence). 1 Chronicles 11:44 Uzzia
the Ashtarothite, Shama and Jeiel the sons of Hotham the Aroerite, (DBY). ...
/a/ashtarothite.htm - 6k

Ash'terathite (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Ash'terathite (1 Occurrence). 1 Chronicles 11:44 Uzzia
the Ashterathite, Shama and Jeiel the sons of Hotham the Aroerite; (See RSV). ...
/a/ash'terathite.htm - 6k

Aroerite (1 Occurrence)
... Aroerite (1 Occurrence). 1 Chronicles 11:44 Uzzia the Ashterathite, Shama and Jeiel
the sons of Hotham the Aroerite, (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV). ...
/a/aroerite.htm - 7k

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