2 Chronicles 26:16

16 But after Uzziah became powerful, his pride led to his downfall. He was unfaithful to the LORD his God, and entered the temple of the LORD to burn incense on the altar of incense.

2 Chronicles 26:16 in Other Translations

KJV
16 But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up to his destruction: for he transgressed against the LORD his God, and went into the temple of the LORD to burn incense upon the altar of incense.
ESV
16 But when he was strong, he grew proud, to his destruction. For he was unfaithful to the LORD his God and entered the temple of the LORD to burn incense on the altar of incense.
NLT
16 But when he had become powerful, he also became proud, which led to his downfall. He sinned against the LORD his God by entering the sanctuary of the LORD ’s Temple and personally burning incense on the incense altar.
MSG
16 But then the strength and success went to his head. Arrogant and proud, he fell. One day, contemptuous of God, he walked into The Temple of God like he owned it and took over, burning incense on the Incense Altar.
CSB
16 But when he became strong, he grew arrogant and it led to his own destruction. He acted unfaithfully against the Lord his God by going into the Lord's sanctuary to burn incense on the incense altar.

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 Uzziah provided shields, spears, helmets, coats of armor, bows and slingstones for the entire army.
15 In Jerusalem he made devices invented for use on the towers and on the corner defenses so that soldiers could shoot arrows and hurl large stones from the walls. His fame spread far and wide, for he was greatly helped until he became powerful.
16 But after Uzziah became powerful, his pride led to his downfall. He was unfaithful to the LORD his God, and entered the temple of the LORD to burn incense on the altar of incense.
17 Azariah the priest with eighty other courageous priests of the LORD followed him in.
18 They confronted King Uzziah and said, “It is not right for you, Uzziah, to burn incense to the LORD. That is for the priests, the descendants of Aaron, who have been consecrated to burn incense. Leave the sanctuary, for you have been unfaithful; and you will not be honored by the LORD God.”

Cross References 4

  • 1. S 2 Kings 14:10
  • 2. Deuteronomy 32:15; 2 Chronicles 25:19
  • 3. S 1 Chronicles 5:25
  • 4. 2 Kings 16:12
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