2 Chronicles 26:16

16 But when he was strong his heart was lifted up, to his destruction, for he transgressed against the Lord his God by entering the temple of the Lord to burn incense on the altar of incense.

2 Chronicles 26:16 Meaning and Commentary

2 Chronicles 26:16

When he was strong
Became great and powerful, through his victories, the enlargement of his dominions, and having a numerous army, and these well accoutred, and many fortified cities and towers:

his heart was lifted up to his destruction;
he grew vain and proud, elated with his flourishing circumstances, which issued in his ruin:

for he transgressed against the Lord his God;
who had helped him, and made him so great, and had bestowed so many favours upon him; the Targum is,

``the Word of the Lord his God;''

what his transgression was, follows:

and went into the temple of the Lord;
the holy place, into which none but the priests might enter:

to burn incense upon the altar of incense;
which stood there.

2 Chronicles 26:16 In-Context

14 Then Uzziah prepared for them, for the entire army, shields, spears, helmets, body armor, bows, and slings to cast stones.

15 And he made devices in Jerusalem, invented by skillful men, to be on the towers and the corners, to shoot arrows and large stones. So his fame spread far and wide, for he was marvelously helped till he became strong.

16 But when he was strong his heart was lifted up, to his destruction, for he transgressed against the Lord his God by entering the temple of the Lord to burn incense on the altar of incense.

17 So Azariah the priest went in after him, and with him were eighty priests of the Lord--valiant men.

18 And they withstood King Uzziah, and said to him, "It is not for you, Uzziah, to burn incense to the Lord, but for the priests, the sons of Aaron, who are consecrated to burn incense. Get out of the sanctuary, for you have trespassed! You shall have no honor from the Lord God."