King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 26:19 Mean?

2 Chronicles 26:19 in the King James Version says “Then Uzziah was wroth, and had a censer in his hand to burn incense: and while he was wroth with the priests, the lepros...” — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 26 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

2 Chronicles 26:19 · KJV

Context

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.

21

And Uzziah the king was a leper unto the day of his death, and dwelt in a several house, being a leper; for he was cut off from the house of the LORD: and Jotham his son was over the king's house, judging the people of the land. several: Heb. free

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

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 · 18 words
וּבְזַעְפּ֣וֹ1 of 18

“and while he was wroth”

H2196

properly, to boil up, i.e., (figuratively) to be peevish or angry

עֻזִּיָּ֔הוּ2 of 18

“Then Uzziah”

H5818

uzzijah, the name of five israelites

וּבְיָד֥וֹ3 of 18

“in his hand”

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

מִקְטֶ֖רֶת4 of 18

“and had a censer”

H4730

something to fume (incense) in, i.e., a coal-pan

לְהַקְטִ֑יר5 of 18

“to burn incense”

H6999

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

וּבְזַעְפּ֣וֹ6 of 18

“and while he was wroth”

H2196

properly, to boil up, i.e., (figuratively) to be peevish or angry

עִם7 of 18
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

הַכֹּֽהֲנִים֙8 of 18

“the priests”

H3548

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

וְ֠הַצָּרַעַת9 of 18

“the leprosy”

H6883

leprosy

זָֽרְחָ֨ה10 of 18

“even rose up”

H2224

properly, to irradiate (or shoot forth beams), i.e., to rise (as the sun); specifically, to appear (as a symptom of leprosy)

בְמִצְח֜וֹ11 of 18

“in his forehead”

H4696

the forehead (as open and prominent)

לִפְנֵ֤י12 of 18

“before”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

הַכֹּֽהֲנִים֙13 of 18

“the priests”

H3548

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

בְּבֵ֣ית14 of 18

“in the house”

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

יְהוָ֔ה15 of 18

“of the LORD”

H3068

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

מֵעַ֖ל16 of 18
H5921

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

לְמִזְבַּ֥ח17 of 18

“altar”

H4196

an altar

הַקְּטֹֽרֶת׃18 of 18

“from beside the incense”

H7004

a fumigation

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 26:19 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 26:19 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Numbers 12:102 Kings 5:25-272 Chronicles 25:162 Chronicles 16:10

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