Read Verse Keyword Strong's
Prev

2 Chronicles 26:16

Next

¶ 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.

But when he was strong {H2393}, his heart {H3820} was lifted up {H1361} to his destruction {H7843}: for he transgressed {H4603} against the LORD {H3068} his God {H430}, and went {H935} into the temple {H1964} of the LORD {H3068} to burn incense {H6999} upon the altar {H4196} of incense {H7004}.

But when he was strong, he became arrogant, which caused him to become corrupt, so that he sinned against ADONAI his God by going into the temple of ADONAI to burn incense on the incense altar.

But when Uzziah grew powerful, his arrogance led to his own destruction. He was unfaithful to the LORD his God, for he entered the temple of the LORD to burn incense on the altar of incense.

But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up, so that he did corruptly, and he trespassed against Jehovah his God; for he went into the temple of Jehovah to burn incense upon the altar of incense.

Commentary

2 Chronicles 26:16 marks a tragic turning point in the reign of King Uzziah of Judah. After years of remarkable success and divine blessing, his heart was corrupted by pride, leading him to commit a grave transgression against the LORD. This verse succinctly captures the essence of his downfall: his strength became the very catalyst for his destruction.

Context

King Uzziah (also known as Azariah) began his reign at 16 and was blessed by God for much of his life. He sought the LORD in the days of Zechariah, and God made him prosper. He was a capable military leader, an innovative builder, and a strong king who fortified Jerusalem and expanded Judah's influence. However, his prosperity and power eventually led to arrogance. The verse states, "when he was strong, his heart was lifted up to his destruction." This act of burning incense in the temple was a direct usurpation of the duties reserved exclusively for the Aaronic priesthood, a sacred role divinely ordained and strictly separated from the monarchy.

Key Themes

  • The Danger of Pride: Uzziah's story is a powerful cautionary tale about how success and strength can lead to arrogance. His heart being "lifted up" signifies haughtiness and self-exaltation, believing himself above God's established laws. This theme resonates with the timeless warning that pride goes before destruction.
  • Transgression Against Divine Authority: Uzziah's sin was not merely an administrative error but a direct violation of God's holy order. The act of burning incense on the altar was a specific duty assigned to the priests, as detailed in the Law (e.g., Exodus 30:7-8). By entering the temple and attempting to perform this rite, Uzziah overstepped his God-given boundaries as king and encroached upon the sacred office of the priesthood.
  • Consequences of Disobedience: The verse highlights that his pride led directly "to his destruction." This was not just a moral failing but resulted in severe divine judgment. As subsequent verses reveal, Uzziah was immediately struck with leprosy, a debilitating and defiling disease that forced him into isolation until his death.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "his heart was lifted up" comes from the Hebrew word rum (רוּם), meaning "to be high, exalted, lifted up." In this context, it carries a negative connotation, signifying arrogance, haughtiness, or becoming proud. It implies a sense of self-importance that disregards divine boundaries. The term "destruction" (Hebrew: shachat, שָׁחַת) speaks to a spoiling, corrupting, or ruining, indicating that his pride led to the ruin of his reign and his physical well-being.

Practical Application

Uzziah's story serves as a timeless reminder for leaders and individuals alike. It teaches us:

  • Humility in Success: Prosperity and power can be dangerous if not tempered with humility. True strength comes from reliance on God, not self-sufficiency.
  • Respect for God's Boundaries: God has established orders and roles, both in the spiritual and temporal realms. We must respect these boundaries and not usurp authority or responsibilities that are not ours.
  • The Peril of Pride: Pride is a foundational sin that can corrupt even the most blessed and successful individuals. It blinds us to our own flaws and God's directives, inevitably leading to downfall.
  • Obedience is Paramount: No amount of past success or personal strength can excuse disobedience to God's clear commands. Uzziah's example underscores the importance of consistent obedience throughout one's life.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Chronicles 32:25 (8 votes)

    But Hezekiah rendered not again according to the benefit [done] unto him; for his heart was lifted up: therefore there was wrath upon him, and upon Judah and Jerusalem.

  • 2 Chronicles 25:19 (7 votes)

    Thou sayest, Lo, thou hast smitten the Edomites; and thine heart lifteth thee up to boast: abide now at home; why shouldest thou meddle to [thine] hurt, that thou shouldest fall, [even] thou, and Judah with thee?

  • Proverbs 16:18 (7 votes)

    ¶ Pride [goeth] before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.

  • Habakkuk 2:4 (6 votes)

    Behold, his soul [which] is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.

  • Deuteronomy 8:14 (5 votes)

    Then thine heart be lifted up, and thou forget the LORD thy God, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage;

  • Deuteronomy 8:17 (5 votes)

    And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of [mine] hand hath gotten me this wealth.

  • 2 Kings 14:10 (3 votes)

    Thou hast indeed smitten Edom, and thine heart hath lifted thee up: glory [of this], and tarry at home: for why shouldest thou meddle to [thy] hurt, that thou shouldest fall, [even] thou, and Judah with thee?