King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 26:21 Mean?

2 Chronicles 26:21 in the King James Version says “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 o...” — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 26 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

2 Chronicles 26:21 · KJV

Context

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.

23

So Uzziah slept with his fathers, and they buried him with his fathers in the field of the burial which belonged to the kings; for they said, He is a leper: and Jotham his son reigned in his stead.

Read 2 Chronicles 26 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

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 · 24 words
וַיְהִי֩1 of 24
H1961

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

עֻזִּיָּ֨הוּ2 of 24

“And Uzziah”

H5818

uzzijah, the name of five israelites

הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ3 of 24

“the king”

H4428

a king

מְצֹרָ֔ע4 of 24

“being a leper”

H6879

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

עַד5 of 24
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

י֣וֹם6 of 24

“unto the day”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

מוֹת֗וֹ7 of 24

“of his death”

H4194

death (natural or violent); concretely, the dead, their place or state (hades); figuratively, pestilence, ruin

וַיֵּ֜שֶׁב8 of 24

“and dwelt in”

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

בֵּ֣ית9 of 24

“from the house”

H1004

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

הַֽחָפְשִׁות֙10 of 24

“a several”

H2669

prostration by sickness

מְצֹרָ֔ע11 of 24

“being a leper”

H6879

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

כִּ֥י12 of 24
H3588

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

נִגְזַ֖ר13 of 24

“for he was cut off”

H1504

to cut down or off; (figuratively) to destroy, divide, exclude, or decide

בֵּ֣ית14 of 24

“from the house”

H1004

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

יְהוָ֑ה15 of 24

“of the LORD”

H3068

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

וְיוֹתָ֤ם16 of 24

“and Jotham”

H3147

jotham, the name of three israelites

בְּנוֹ֙17 of 24

“his son”

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

עַל18 of 24
H5921

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

בֵּ֣ית19 of 24

“from the house”

H1004

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

הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ20 of 24

“the king”

H4428

a king

שׁוֹפֵ֖ט21 of 24

“judging”

H8199

to judge, i.e., pronounce sentence (for or against); by implication, to vindicate or punish; by extenssion, to govern; passively, to litigate (literal

אֶת22 of 24
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

עַ֥ם23 of 24

“the people”

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

הָאָֽרֶץ׃24 of 24

“of the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

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 26:21 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 26:21 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Leviticus 13:46Numbers 12:152 Kings 7:3Numbers 5:2-32 Kings 15:5-7

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