King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 26:23 Mean?

2 Chronicles 26:23 in the King James Version says “So Uzziah slept with his fathers, and they buried him with his fathers in the field of the burial which belonged to the ...” — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 26 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

2 Chronicles 26:23 · KJV

Context

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
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.

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.

KJV Study — Public Domain

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
וַיִּשְׁכַּ֨ב1 of 20

“slept”

H7901

to lie down (for rest, sexual connection, decease or any other purpose)

עֻזִּיָּ֜הוּ2 of 20

“So Uzziah”

H5818

uzzijah, the name of five israelites

עִם3 of 20
H5973

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

אֲבֹתָיו֙4 of 20

“him with his fathers”

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

וַיִּקְבְּר֨וּ5 of 20

“and they buried”

H6912

to inter

אֹת֤וֹ6 of 20
H853

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

עִם7 of 20
H5973

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

אֲבֹתָיו֙8 of 20

“him with his fathers”

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

בִּשְׂדֵ֤ה9 of 20

“in the field”

H7704

a field (as flat)

הַקְּבוּרָה֙10 of 20

“of the burial”

H6900

sepulture; (concretely) a sepulcher

אֲשֶׁ֣ר11 of 20
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

לַמְּלָכִ֔ים12 of 20

“which belonged to the kings”

H4428

a king

כִּ֥י13 of 20
H3588

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

אָֽמְר֖וּ14 of 20

“for they said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

מְצוֹרָ֣ע15 of 20

“He is a leper”

H6879

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

ה֑וּא16 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

וַיִּמְלֹ֛ךְ17 of 20

“reigned”

H4427

to reign; hence (by implication) to take counsel

יוֹתָ֥ם18 of 20

“and Jotham”

H3147

jotham, the name of three israelites

בְּנ֖וֹ19 of 20

“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

תַּחְתָּֽיו׃20 of 20
H8478

the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc

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 26:23 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 26:23 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Chronicles 28:272 Chronicles 21:202 Kings 15:6-7Isaiah 6:12 Chronicles 33:202 Chronicles 26:18

Test Your Knowledge

2 Chronicles 26 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapter2 Chronicles Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read 2 Chronicles 26 with CommentaryAll 2 Chronicles ChaptersComplete 2 Chronicles QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes