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2 Chronicles 26:10

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Also he built towers in the desert, and digged many wells: for he had much cattle, both in the low country, and in the plains: husbandmen [also], and vine dressers in the mountains, and in Carmel: for he loved husbandry.

Also he built {H1129} towers {H4026} in the desert {H4057}, and digged {H2672} many {H7227} wells {H953}: for he had much {H7227} cattle {H4735}, both in the low country {H8219}, and in the plains {H4334}: husbandmen {H406} also, and vine dressers {H3755} in the mountains {H2022}, and in Carmel {H3760}: for he loved {H157} husbandry {H127}.

He built towers in the desert and dug many cisterns, because he had much livestock, likewise in the Sh'felah and the coastal plain. He had farmers and vineyard-workers in the hills and in the fertile lands, because he loved the soil.

Since he had much livestock in the foothills and in the plain, he built towers in the desert and dug many cisterns. And since he was a lover of the soil, he had farmers and vinedressers in the hill country and in the fertile fields.

And he built towers in the wilderness, and hewed out many cisterns, for he had much cattle; in the lowland also, and in the plain: and he had husbandmen and vinedressers in the mountains and in the fruitful fields; for he loved husbandry.

Commentary

Context of 2 Chronicles 26:10

This verse describes a specific aspect of King Uzziah's prosperous and effective reign in Judah, following his ascension to the throne at age sixteen (see 2 Chronicles 26:1). The preceding verses highlight his military strength and wisdom, which the Bible attributes to his seeking God during the days of Zechariah (see 2 Chronicles 26:5). Here, the focus shifts to his administrative and economic foresight, particularly in agriculture and infrastructure, which were vital for sustaining the kingdom and its population in ancient Israel. His projects demonstrate a keen understanding of the land's resources and challenges.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Diligent Leadership and Foresight: Uzziah's actions in building watchtowers and digging wells demonstrate a proactive and strategic approach to managing the kingdom's resources. These structures were crucial for protecting his vast livestock from raiders and for providing essential water in arid regions, indicating sound economic and security planning.
  • Economic Prosperity and Resource Management: The verse explicitly links Uzziah's infrastructure projects to his "much cattle" and diverse agricultural pursuits. This highlights the importance of effective resource management for national prosperity. His involvement in "husbandry" (farming) extended to various terrains, from "low country" and "plains" for grazing to "mountains" and the fertile "Carmel" region for farming and vineyards.
  • The Value of Agriculture: Ancient Israel's economy was fundamentally agrarian. Uzziah's personal "love for husbandry" (farming and animal rearing) underscores the respect and importance placed on these vital activities. This personal interest likely fueled his investment in related infrastructure, recognizing agriculture as the backbone of the nation's well-being.
  • Blessing Through Diligence: While not explicitly stated in this verse, the broader narrative of Uzziah's early reign suggests that his diligence and strategic investments were part of the prosperity God granted him, as long as he sought the Lord (see 2 Chronicles 26:5). His practical efforts were blessed.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "he loved husbandry" translates a Hebrew phrase that literally means "he was a lover of the ground" or "he delighted in agriculture." This emphasizes Uzziah's personal passion and active involvement in farming and animal husbandry, indicating he was not merely delegating but genuinely appreciating and investing in these foundational aspects of the nation's economy. The "towers in the desert" (Hebrew: מִגְדָּלִים, migdalim) were likely watchtowers or fortified structures to protect flocks, shepherds, and wells from nomadic raiders, common in the sparsely populated wilderness areas of Judah.

Practical Application

2 Chronicles 26:10 offers several timeless lessons for individuals and leaders today:

  • Invest in Foundations: Uzziah understood that true and lasting prosperity comes from investing in foundational resources and infrastructure. For us, this means prioritizing basic needs, sustainable practices, and long-term planning in our personal lives, communities, and even spiritual growth.
  • Diligence and Hard Work: Uzziah's success was not accidental; it was the result of diligent effort and strategic planning. The Bible frequently commends hard work and prudence as pathways to blessing (e.g., Proverbs 27:23, "Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds.").
  • Identifying and Nurturing Strengths: Uzziah recognized the importance of his cattle and agricultural lands and invested in their protection and productivity. Similarly, we should identify our strengths, talents, and resources and nurture them wisely for maximum fruitfulness.
  • Leadership and Stewardship: This verse highlights the practical side of leadership. Leaders, whether in a family, business, or community, are called to be good stewards of the resources entrusted to them, demonstrating foresight and practical wisdom for the benefit of those they serve.
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Cross-References

  • Genesis 26:18 (3 votes)

    And Isaac digged again the wells of water, which they had digged in the days of Abraham his father; for the Philistines had stopped them after the death of Abraham: and he called their names after the names by which his father had called them.

  • Genesis 26:21 (3 votes)

    And they digged another well, and strove for that also: and he called the name of it Sitnah.

  • Isaiah 29:17 (3 votes)

    ¶ [Is] it not yet a very little while, and Lebanon shall be turned into a fruitful field, and the fruitful field shall be esteemed as a forest?

  • 2 Kings 19:23 (2 votes)

    By thy messengers thou hast reproached the Lord, and hast said, With the multitude of my chariots I am come up to the height of the mountains, to the sides of Lebanon, and will cut down the tall cedar trees thereof, [and] the choice fir trees thereof: and I will enter into the lodgings of his borders, [and into] the forest of his Carmel.

  • 2 Kings 3:4 (2 votes)

    And Mesha king of Moab was a sheepmaster, and rendered unto the king of Israel an hundred thousand lambs, and an hundred thousand rams, with the wool.

  • 1 Chronicles 27:26 (2 votes)

    And over them that did the work of the field for tillage of the ground [was] Ezri the son of Chelub:

  • 1 Chronicles 27:31 (2 votes)

    And over the flocks [was] Jaziz the Hagerite. All these [were] the rulers of the substance which [was] king David's.