Features Pricing Bible Library Churches About Sign in Begin

2 Chronicles 26:21

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.

2 Chronicles 26:21 · King James Version

Meaning

King Uzziah's story serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of pride and disobedience. Despite initially being a successful ruler who followed the ways of the Lord, Uzziah fell into the trap of arrogance and attempted to enter the temple to burn incense, a task reserved only for priests. As a result, he was struck with leprosy by God as a punishment for his disobedience. This affliction not only physically isolated Uzziah by forcing him to live in a separate house, but also spiritually cut him off from the house of the Lord, symbolizing the separation between him and God. The rise of Uzziah's son, Jotham, to govern the king's house and judge the people of the land highlights the transition of power and responsibility that occurred due to Uzziah's sin. Through Uzziah's downfall, we are reminded of the importance of humility, obedience, and reverence for God's laws.

Theological Overview

Uzziah, a king of Judah, was struck with leprosy as a punishment from God for his pride and disobedience. The fact that he was a leper until the day of his death and had to live in a separate house symbolizes how he was outcast and cut off from the presence of the Lord. Leprosy was often seen as a physical manifestation of sin in the Old Testament, and Uzziah's case serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of disobeying God's commands. His son Jotham took over the responsibilities of the king's house and ruled over the people, demonstrating the transfer of power and the continuation of the kingdom despite Uzziah's downfall. This verse highlights the importance of remaining faithful to God and the severe consequences that can come from turning away from Him.

2 Chronicles 26:21 in other translations

American Standard Version

And Uzziah the king was a leper unto the day of his death, and dwelt in a separate house, being a leper; for he was cut off from the house of Jehovah: and Jotham his son was over the king's house, judging the people of the land.

World English Bible

Uzziah the king was a leper to the day of his death, and lived in a separate house, being a leper; for he was cut off from Yahweh’s house: and Jotham his son was over the king’s house, judging the people of the land.

Douay-Rheims

And Ozias the king was a leper unto the day of his death, and he dwelt in a house apart being full of the leprosy, for which he had been cast out of the house of the Lord. And Joatham his son governed the king's house, and judged the people of the land.

Geneva Bible (1599)

And Vzziah the king was a leper vnto the day of his death, and dwelt as a leper in an house apart, because he was cut off from the house of ye Lord: and Iotham his sonne ruled ouer the Kings house, and iudged the people of the land.