King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 26:20 Mean?

2 Chronicles 26:20 in the King James Version says “And Azariah the chief priest, and all the priests, looked upon him, and, behold, he was leprous in his forehead, and the...” — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 26 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

2 Chronicles 26:20 · KJV

Context

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

22

Now the rest of the acts of Uzziah, first and last, did Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, write.

Read 2 Chronicles 26 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

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 · 20 words
וַיִּ֣פֶן1 of 20

“looked”

H6437

to turn; by implication, to face, i.e., appear, look, etc

אֵלָ֡יו2 of 20
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

עֲזַרְיָהוּ֩3 of 20

“And Azariah”

H5838

azarjah, the name of nineteen israelites

הַכֹּֽהֲנִ֗ים4 of 20

“and all the priests”

H3548

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

הָרֹ֜אשׁ5 of 20

“the chief”

H7218

the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)

וְכָל6 of 20
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הַכֹּֽהֲנִ֗ים7 of 20

“and all the priests”

H3548

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

וְהִנֵּה8 of 20
H2009

lo!

ה֤וּא9 of 20
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

מְצֹרָע֙10 of 20

“upon him and behold he was leprous”

H6879

to scourge, i.e., (intransitive and figurative) to be stricken with leprosy

בְּמִצְח֔וֹ11 of 20

“in his forehead”

H4696

the forehead (as open and prominent)

וַיַּבְהִל֖וּהוּ12 of 20

“and they thrust him out”

H926

to tremble inwardly (or palpitate), i.e., (figuratively) be (causative, make) (suddenly) alarmed or agitated; by implication to hasten anxiously

מִשָּׁ֑ם13 of 20
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

וְגַם14 of 20
H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

הוּא֙15 of 20
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

נִדְחַ֣ף16 of 20

“from thence yea himself hasted”

H1765

to urge, i.e., hasten

לָצֵ֔את17 of 20

“also to go out”

H3318

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

כִּ֥י18 of 20
H3588

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

נִגְּע֖וֹ19 of 20

“had smitten”

H5060

properly, to touch, i.e., lay the hand upon (for any purpose; euphemistically, to lie with a woman); by implication, to reach (figuratively, to arrive

יְהוָֽה׃20 of 20

“because the LORD”

H3068

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

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 26:20 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 26:20 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Esther 6:12Leviticus 14:34Deuteronomy 28:22Deuteronomy 28:35

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