King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 26:3 Mean?

2 Chronicles 26:3 in the King James Version says “Sixteen years old was Uzziah when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty and two years in Jerusalem. His mother's name ...” — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 26 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Sixteen years old was Uzziah when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty and two years in Jerusalem. His mother's name also was Jecoliah of Jerusalem.”

2 Chronicles 26:3 · KJV

Context

1

Then all the people of Judah took Uzziah, who was sixteen years old, and made him king in the room of his father Amaziah. Uzziah: or, Azariah

2

He built Eloth, and restored it to Judah, after that the king slept with his fathers.

3

Sixteen years old was Uzziah when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty and two years in Jerusalem. His mother's name also was Jecoliah of Jerusalem.

4

And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father Amaziah did.

5

And he sought God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the visions of God: and as long as he sought the LORD, God made him to prosper. in the visions: Heb. in the seeing of God

Read 2 Chronicles 26 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Sixteen years old was Uzziah when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty and two years in Jerusalem. His mother's name also was Jecoliah of Jerusalem.

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 · 16 words
בֶּן1 of 16

“old”

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

שֵׁ֨שׁ2 of 16

“Sixteen”

H8337

six (as an overplus beyond five or the fingers of the hand); as ordinal, sixth

עֶשְׂרֵ֤ה3 of 16
H6240

ten (only in combination), i.e., -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth

שָׁנָ֔ה4 of 16

“years”

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

עֻזִּיָּ֣הוּ5 of 16

“was Uzziah”

H5818

uzzijah, the name of five israelites

מָלַ֖ךְ6 of 16

“and he reigned”

H4427

to reign; hence (by implication) to take counsel

וַֽחֲמִשִּׁ֤ים7 of 16

“fifty”

H2572

fifty

וּשְׁתַּ֙יִם֙8 of 16

“and two”

H8147

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

שָׁנָ֔ה9 of 16

“years”

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

מָלַ֖ךְ10 of 16

“and he reigned”

H4427

to reign; hence (by implication) to take counsel

יְרֽוּשָׁלִָֽם׃11 of 16

“in Jerusalem”

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

וְשֵׁ֣ם12 of 16

“name”

H8034

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

אִמּ֔וֹ13 of 16

“His mother's”

H517

a mother (as the bond of the family); in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively [like father])

יְכָילְיָ֖ה14 of 16

“also was Jecoliah”

H3203

jekoljah or jekiljah, an israelitess

מִן15 of 16
H4480

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

יְרֽוּשָׁלִָֽם׃16 of 16

“in Jerusalem”

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

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 26:3 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 26:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Kings 15:2-3Hosea 1:1Zechariah 14:5Isaiah 1:1Amos 1:1Isaiah 6:1

Places in This Verse

JerusalemSettlement · Modern: Jerusalem · 31.78°N, 35.23°E955 verses across 37 books
View all places in 2 Chronicles 26 →

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