King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 26:18 Mean?

2 Chronicles 26:18 in the King James Version says “And they withstood Uzziah the king, and said unto him, It appertaineth not unto thee, Uzziah, to burn incense unto the L...” — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 26 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And they withstood Uzziah the king, and said unto him, It appertaineth not unto thee, Uzziah, to burn incense unto the LORD, but to the priests the sons of Aaron, that are consecrated to burn incense: go out of the sanctuary; for thou hast trespassed; neither shall it be for thine honour from the LORD God.”

2 Chronicles 26:18 · KJV

Context

16

But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up to his destruction: for he transgressed against the LORD his God, and went into the temple of the LORD to burn incense upon the altar of incense.

17

And Azariah the priest went in after him, and with him fourscore priests of the LORD, that were valiant men:

18

And they withstood Uzziah the king, and said unto him, It appertaineth not unto thee, Uzziah, to burn incense unto the LORD, but to the priests the sons of Aaron, that are consecrated to burn incense: go out of the sanctuary; for thou hast trespassed; neither shall it be for thine honour from the LORD God.

19

Then Uzziah was wroth, and had a censer in his hand to burn incense: and while he was wroth with the priests, the leprosy even rose up in his forehead before the priests in the house of the LORD, from beside the incense altar.

20

And Azariah the chief priest, and all the priests, looked upon him, and, behold, he was leprous in his forehead, and they thrust him out from thence; yea, himself hasted also to go out, because the LORD had smitten him.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And they withstood Uzziah the king, and said unto him, It appertaineth not unto thee, Uzziah, to burn incense unto the LORD, but to the priests the sons of Aaron, that are consecrated to burn incense: go out of the sanctuary; for thou hast trespassed; neither shall it be for thine honour from the LORD God.

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 · 27 words
וַיַּֽעַמְד֞וּ1 of 27

“And they withstood”

H5975

to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)

עַל2 of 27
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

עֻזִּיָּ֗הוּ3 of 27

“Uzziah”

H5818

uzzijah, the name of five israelites

הַמֶּ֗לֶךְ4 of 27

“the king”

H4428

a king

וַיֹּ֤אמְרוּ5 of 27

“and said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

לוֹ֙6 of 27
H0
לֹֽא7 of 27
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

לְךָ֣8 of 27
H0
עֻזִּיָּ֗הוּ9 of 27

“Uzziah”

H5818

uzzijah, the name of five israelites

לְהַקְטִ֑יר10 of 27

“to burn incense”

H6999

to smoke, i.e., turn into fragrance by fire (especially as an act of worship)

מֵֽיְהוָ֥ה11 of 27

“from the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

כִּ֣י12 of 27
H3588

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

לַכֹּֽהֲנִ֧ים13 of 27

“but to the priests”

H3548

literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)

בְּנֵֽי14 of 27

“the sons”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

אַהֲרֹ֛ן15 of 27

“of Aaron”

H175

aharon, the brother of moses

הַמְקֻדָּשִׁ֖ים16 of 27

“that are consecrated”

H6942

to be (causatively, make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally)

לְהַקְטִ֑יר17 of 27

“to burn incense”

H6999

to smoke, i.e., turn into fragrance by fire (especially as an act of worship)

צֵ֤א18 of 27

“go out”

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

מִן19 of 27
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

הַמִּקְדָּשׁ֙20 of 27

“of the sanctuary”

H4720

a consecrated thing or place, especially, a palace, sanctuary (whether of jehovah or of idols) or asylum

כִּ֣י21 of 27
H3588

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

מָעַ֔לְתָּ22 of 27

“for thou hast trespassed”

H4603

properly, to cover up; used only figuratively, to act covertly, i.e., treacherously

וְלֹֽא23 of 27
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

לְךָ֥24 of 27
H0
לְכָב֖וֹד25 of 27

“neither shall it be for thine honour”

H3519

properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness

מֵֽיְהוָ֥ה26 of 27

“from the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֱלֹהִֽים׃27 of 27

“God”

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

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 26:18 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 26:18 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Exodus 30:7-8Numbers 18:7Jeremiah 13:18Hebrews 5:42 Chronicles 19:22 Chronicles 16:7-9

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