2 Chronicles 26:16

Pride Is Uzziah's Undoing

16 But 1when he became strong, his heart was so proud that he acted corruptly, and he was unfaithful to the LORD his God, for 2he entered 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 Moreover, Uzziah prepared for all the army shields, spears, helmets, body armor, bows and sling stones.
15 In Jerusalem he made engines of war invented by skillful men to be on the towers and on the corners for the purpose of shooting arrows and great stones. Hence his fame spread afar , for he was marvelously helped until he was strong.
16 But when he became strong, his heart was so proud that he acted corruptly, and he was unfaithful to the LORD his God, for he entered the temple of the LORD to burn incense on the altar of incense.
17 Then Azariah the priest entered after him and with him eighty priests of the LORD , valiant men.
18 They opposed Uzziah the king 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 been unfaithful and will have no honor from the LORD God."

Cross References 2

  • 1. Deuteronomy 32:15; 2 Chronicles 25:19
  • 2. 1 Kings 13:1-4

Footnotes 1

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