King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 26:10 Mean?

2 Chronicles 26:10 in the King James Version says “Also he built towers in the desert, and digged many wells: for he had much cattle, both in the low country, and in the p...” — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 26 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Also he built towers in the desert, and digged many wells: for he had much cattle, both in the low country, and in the plains: husbandmen also, and vine dressers in the mountains, and in Carmel: for he loved husbandry. digged: or, cut out many cisterns Carmel: or, fruitful fields husbandry: Heb. ground”

2 Chronicles 26:10 · KJV

Love

Context

8

And the Ammonites gave gifts to Uzziah: and his name spread abroad even to the entering in of Egypt; for he strengthened himself exceedingly. spread: Heb. went

9

Moreover Uzziah built towers in Jerusalem at the corner gate, and at the valley gate, and at the turning of the wall, and fortified them. fortified: or, repaired

10

Also he built towers in the desert, and digged many wells: for he had much cattle, both in the low country, and in the plains: husbandmen also, and vine dressers in the mountains, and in Carmel: for he loved husbandry. digged: or, cut out many cisterns Carmel: or, fruitful fields husbandry: Heb. ground

11

Moreover Uzziah had an host of fighting men, that went out to war by bands, according to the number of their account by the hand of Jeiel the scribe and Maaseiah the ruler, under the hand of Hananiah, one of the king's captains.

12

The whole number of the chief of the fathers of the mighty men of valour were two thousand and six hundred.

Read 2 Chronicles 26 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Also he built towers in the desert, and digged many wells: for he had much cattle, both in the low country, and in the plains: husbandmen also, and vine dressers in the mountains, and in Carmel: for he loved husbandry.

This verse is part of the narrative of Judah's kings, specifically addressing Prosperity leading to pride and presumption. The Chronicler's theological perspective emphasizes immediate divine retribution—kings who seek God prosper, while those who forsake Him face judgment. This pattern provides instruction for the post-exilic community on the conditions for God's blessing.

The account demonstrates God's covenant faithfulness despite human unfaithfulness. Even in judgment, God preserves a remnant and offers restoration through repentance. The repeated cycle of apostasy, judgment, and restoration reveals both human sinfulness and divine mercy. References to the temple, proper worship, and priestly service emphasize the Chronicler's concern for correct religious observance.

Theologically, these accounts point beyond immediate history to God's ultimate purposes through the Davidic line. Despite repeated failures, God preserves David's dynasty, anticipating the perfect King who will reign in righteousness. The pattern of judgment for sin and restoration through repentance prefigures the gospel message of salvation through Christ.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This passage occurs during the divided monarchy period when Judah existed separately from northern Israel. The Chronicler writes from a post-exilic perspective, addressing the restored community in Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile (539 BCE onward). His emphasis on temple worship, proper religious observance, and God's covenant faithfulness speaks directly to the needs of his audience who had just rebuilt the temple and were reestablishing their identity as God's people.

The historical context demonstrates both God's judgment on persistent sin and His readiness to restore those who genuinely repent. The Chronicler omits most northern kingdom material, focusing on Judah and the Davidic line to emphasize God's faithfulness to His covenant promises. Archaeological discoveries from sites like Lachish, Beersheba, and Jerusalem corroborate the biblical accounts of various kings' reigns and building projects.

Understanding the Chronicler's post-exilic perspective is crucial—he's not merely recording history but applying past lessons to his contemporary audience, showing that the same principles of seeking God, maintaining proper worship, and covenant faithfulness that determined blessing or judgment in the past still apply.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse illustrate the principle of divine retribution (blessing for obedience, judgment for sin)?
  2. What specific applications does this passage have for maintaining spiritual faithfulness in contemporary Christian life?
  3. How does this account point to God's ultimate purposes through the Davidic line and the coming Messiah?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
וַיִּ֨בֶן1 of 21

“Also he built”

H1129

to build (literally and figuratively)

מִגְדָּלִ֜ים2 of 21

“towers”

H4026

a tower (from its size or height); by analogy, a rostrum; figuratively, a (pyramidal) bed of flowers

בַּמִּדְבָּ֗ר3 of 21

“in the desert”

H4057

a pasture (i.e., open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert

וַיַּחְצֹב֙4 of 21

“and digged”

H2672

to cut or carve (wood, stone or other material); by implication, to hew, split, square, quarry, engrave

בֹּר֣וֹת5 of 21

“wells”

H953

a pit hole (especially one used as a cistern or a prison)

רַּב֙6 of 21

“for he had much”

H7227

abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)

כִּ֤י7 of 21
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

מִקְנֶה8 of 21

“cattle”

H4735

something bought, i.e., property, but only live stock; abstractly, acquisition

רַּב֙9 of 21

“for he had much”

H7227

abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)

הָ֣יָה10 of 21
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

ל֔וֹ11 of 21
H0
וּבַשְּׁפֵלָ֖ה12 of 21

“both in the low country”

H8219

lowland, i.e., (with the article) the maritime slope of palestine

וּבַמִּישׁ֑וֹר13 of 21

“and in the plains”

H4334

a level, i.e., a plain (often used (with the article prefix) as a proper name of certain districts); figuratively, concord; also straightness, i.e., (

אִכָּרִ֣ים14 of 21

“husbandmen”

H406

a farmer

וְכֹֽרְמִ֗ים15 of 21

“also and vine dressers”

H3755

a vinedresser

בֶּֽהָרִים֙16 of 21

“in the mountains”

H2022

a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)

וּבַכַּרְמֶ֔ל17 of 21

“and in Carmel”

H3760

karmel, the name of a hill and of a town in palestine

כִּֽי18 of 21
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

אֹהֵ֥ב19 of 21

“for he loved”

H157

to have affection for (sexually or otherwise)

אֲדָמָ֖ה20 of 21

“husbandry”

H127

soil (from its general redness)

הָיָֽה׃21 of 21
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Chronicles. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Chronicles 26:10 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 2 Chronicles 26:10 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 26:18-21Isaiah 29:171 Chronicles 27:26-312 Kings 3:42 Kings 19:23

Places in This Verse

Carmel 1Settlement · Modern: Khirbet el Kirmil · 31.42°N, 35.13°E14 verses across 5 books
ShephelahRegion · Modern: Shephelah · 31.69°N, 34.88°E19 verses across 9 books
View all places in 2 Chronicles 26 →

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