2 Chronicles 26:23

KJV

So Uzziah slept with his fathers, and they buried him with his fathers in the field of the burial which [belonged] to the kings; for they said, He [is] a leper: and Jotham his son reigned in his stead.

KJV (with Strong's)

So Uzziah {H5818} slept {H7901} with his fathers {H1}, and they buried {H6912} him with his fathers {H1} in the field {H7704} of the burial {H6900} which belonged to the kings {H4428}; for they said {H559}, He is a leper {H6879}: and Jotham {H3147} his son {H1121} reigned {H4427} in his stead.

Complete Jewish Bible

So 'Uziyahu slept with his ancestors, and they buried him with his ancestors in the graveyard belonging to the kings, because they said, "He had tzara'at."Then Yotam his son took his place as king.

Berean Standard Bible

And Uzziah rested with his fathers and was buried near them in a field of burial that belonged to the kings; for the people said, “He was a leper.” And his son Jotham reigned in his place.

American Standard Version

So Uzziah slept with his fathers; and they buried him with his fathers in the field of burial which belonged to the kings; for they said, He is a leper: and Jotham his son reigned in his stead.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
This verse succinctly concludes the long and prosperous reign of King Uzziah of Judah, detailing his death and unique burial. It highlights the lasting consequence of his prideful act of usurping priestly duties, which resulted in him being struck with leprosy. Consequently, he was buried in a distinct location within the royal burial grounds, separated from other kings due to his ceremonially unclean status, while his son Jotham smoothly ascended to the throne, having already served as regent.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** 2 Chronicles 26:23 marks the culmination of the narrative concerning King Uzziah (also known as Azariah). The preceding verses detail his initial faithfulness and remarkable success, leading to significant military and economic prosperity for Judah ([2 Chronicles 26:1-15](/2_chronicles/26 "2 Chronicles 26 - The Reign of Uzziah")). However, this prosperity bred pride, leading Uzziah to presumptuously enter the Temple to burn incense, a sacred duty reserved exclusively for the Levitical priests ([2 Chronicles 26:16-18](/2_chronicles/26-16 "2 Chronicles 26:16-18 - Uzziah's Presumption and Leprosy")). For this act of defiance against God's established order, he was immediately struck with leprosy ([2 Chronicles 26:19-20](/2_chronicles/26-19 "2 Chronicles 26:19-20 - Uzziah Struck with Leprosy")). From that point until his death, Uzziah lived in isolation, fulfilling the requirements for lepers, while his son Jotham managed the kingdom as regent ([2 Chronicles 26:21](/2_chronicles/26-21 "2 Chronicles 26:21 - Uzziah's Isolation and Jotham's Regency")). This verse, therefore, serves as the concluding summary of his life, reign, and the enduring impact of his sin.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, kingship and priesthood were distinct and divinely ordained offices, with strict boundaries. The Temple was the sacred dwelling place of God, and only authorized priests from the lineage of Aaron were permitted to perform specific rituals, such as burning incense on the golden altar. Leprosy, as described in Mosaic Law ([Leviticus 13-14](/leviticus/13 "Leviticus 13 - Laws Concerning Leprosy")), was not merely a physical disease but carried profound ceremonial uncleanness, requiring the afflicted individual to live in isolation outside the community. This uncleanness extended even to death, impacting burial practices. While royal burials typically occurred in the "city of David" or specific royal sepulchers, Uzziah's unique burial in a "field of the burial which belonged to the kings" but not *with* the kings, highlights the lasting social and religious stigma associated with his leprosy, a visible sign of divine judgment.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Chronicles and the broader biblical narrative. It underscores the theme of **divine judgment and consequences for disobedience**, demonstrating that even highly successful and initially faithful leaders are not exempt from God's justice when they defy His commands and established order. The narrative of Uzziah's downfall is a stark illustration of the destructive nature of **pride**, showing how a "lifted up" heart can lead to catastrophic spiritual and physical consequences, even after decades of prosperity ([Proverbs 16:18](/proverbs/16-18 "Proverbs 16:18 - Pride Precedes Destruction")). Furthermore, the distinct burial highlights the profound significance of **ceremonial purity and the sanctity of God's dwelling**, emphasizing that defilement, especially resulting from direct sin against God's sacred institutions, carried lasting implications. Finally, the smooth transition of power to Jotham underscores God's **sovereignty in maintaining dynastic succession** and stability for His people, even amidst the personal failures of their leaders.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **"Slept with his fathers" (Hebrew, _shakhav 'im 'avotav'_):** This is a common biblical euphemism for death, used frequently in the books of Kings and Chronicles to describe the passing of kings. It signifies that the king has died and joined his ancestors, often implying a peaceful transition, though in Uzziah's case, it is immediately qualified by the reason for his distinct burial. It connects him to the lineage of kings, even as his burial location separates him.
* **"Leper" (Hebrew, _tsarua'_):** This term refers to one afflicted with _tsara'at_, a skin condition often translated as leprosy. In the biblical context, _tsara'at_ was not just a medical condition but carried significant theological and social implications. It was often viewed as a divine judgment for sin (e.g., Miriam in [Numbers 12:9-10](/numbers/12-9 "Numbers 12:9-10 - Miriam's Leprosy for Rebellion")) and rendered the afflicted person ceremonially unclean, requiring isolation from the community. The explicit mention of "He is a leper" serves as the definitive and sufficient explanation for Uzziah's unique burial, emphasizing the lasting mark of his divine judgment and ritual impurity.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"So Uzziah slept with his fathers,"**: This clause marks the end of Uzziah's earthly life, using a common biblical idiom for death. It places his passing within the continuum of royal succession, even as the subsequent clauses detail the unusual circumstances of his death and burial.
* **"and they buried him with his fathers in the field of the burial which [belonged] to the kings;"**: This phrase indicates that Uzziah was interred in the royal burial grounds, but with a critical distinction. Unlike other kings who were typically buried in the "city of David" or specific royal sepulchers, Uzziah was buried in an adjacent "field." This subtle yet significant detail foreshadows the reason for his unique burial.
* **"for they said, He [is] a leper:"**: This is the pivotal explanatory clause, providing the explicit and stark reason for Uzziah's distinct burial. His leprosy, a direct consequence of his prideful sin against God, rendered him ceremonially unclean. This uncleanness persisted even in death, preventing him from being laid in the more sacred or traditional royal tombs alongside his predecessors, underscoring the lasting impact of divine judgment and ritual defilement.
* **"and Jotham his son reigned in his stead."**: This final clause concludes the narrative of Uzziah's reign by confirming the smooth and divinely ordained transition of power to his son Jotham. It highlights the stability of the Davidic dynasty despite the personal failings and ignominious end of one of its kings, emphasizing God's overarching plan for Judah's leadership.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several effective literary techniques. The use of **Euphemism** in "slept with his fathers" is a gentle way to refer to death, common in biblical narratives, yet it is immediately followed by a jarring reality. There is a powerful **Juxtaposition** between Uzziah's initial long and prosperous reign, described in the preceding verses, and his final, ignominious state and distinct burial. This contrast highlights the severity of his sin and its enduring consequences. The phrase "for they said, He is a leper" functions as a stark **Explanation** and **Justification** for the unusual burial, emphasizing the profound social and religious implications of his affliction. The narrative also exhibits **Irony** in that a king who achieved such great earthly power and success ended his life in isolation and was denied the full honor of a royal burial due to his spiritual defilement.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The account of Uzziah's death and burial serves as a potent theological lesson on the sanctity of God's established order, the dangers of pride, and the immutable consequences of disobedience. Despite Uzziah's long and successful reign, his presumption in usurping priestly functions demonstrated a profound disrespect for divine boundaries. God's immediate and lasting judgment upon him underscores that no human authority, however great, is above God's law or immune to His justice. This narrative reinforces the biblical principle that while God is merciful, He is also righteous, and willful sin, particularly against sacred institutions, carries severe repercussions, impacting not only one's life but also one's legacy. The physical manifestation of leprosy served as a visible sign of his spiritual uncleanness and rebellion.

* [Numbers 12:9-10](/numbers/12-9 "Numbers 12:9-10 - Miriam's Leprosy for Rebellion")
* [Proverbs 16:18](/proverbs/16-18 "Proverbs 16:18 - Pride Precedes Destruction")
* [1 Samuel 13:11-14](/1_samuel/13-11 "1 Samuel 13:11-14 - Saul's Presumptuous Sacrifice")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Uzziah's story offers crucial and timeless lessons for believers today. His initial faithfulness and remarkable success should remind us that God blesses obedience and diligence. However, his subsequent downfall due to pride serves as a powerful warning: success, power, or spiritual gifting can easily inflate the ego, leading to presumption and a disregard for God's boundaries. We are called to cultivate humility in all circumstances, recognizing that all our abilities and achievements are gifts from God. Uzziah's attempt to overstep his God-given role underscores the importance of respecting established authorities and divine order, whether in the church, family, or society. His leprosy, a visible consequence of his sin, reminds us that while God is gracious and forgiving, there are real and sometimes lasting consequences for willful disobedience, even for those who have walked faithfully for a long time. We must remain vigilant, continually examining our hearts for pride and submitting to God's will in all areas of our lives.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Uzziah's story challenge our understanding of success and spiritual integrity, particularly in positions of leadership?**
* **In what areas of our lives might we be tempted to overstep boundaries God has established, whether in spiritual authority, personal conduct, or relationships?**
* **What lessons can we draw from the immediate and lasting consequences of Uzziah's prideful act for our own walk with God?**

### FAQ

**Why was Uzziah buried in a "field of burial" and not with other kings?**

Answer: Uzziah was buried in a "field of the burial which belonged to the kings" but not directly with the other kings in their traditional sepulchers because he was a leper. According to Mosaic Law ([Leviticus 13-14](/leviticus/13 "Leviticus 13 - Laws Concerning Leprosy")), leprosy rendered an individual ceremonially unclean, requiring isolation from the community. This uncleanness extended even to death. His leprosy was a direct divine judgment for his prideful act of usurping the priests' role by attempting to burn incense in the Temple ([2 Chronicles 26:16-21](/2_chronicles/26-16 "2 Chronicles 26:16-21 - Uzziah's Pride and Leprosy")). Therefore, to maintain ritual purity, he could not be interred in the sacred royal tombs alongside his predecessors, even though he was still buried within the general royal burial grounds, signifying his royal status while acknowledging his defiled state.

**What was Uzziah's specific sin that led to leprosy?**

Answer: Uzziah's specific sin was his prideful presumption in entering the Temple to burn incense on the altar of incense. This was a sacred duty reserved exclusively for the Levitical priests, the sons of Aaron, as explicitly commanded by God ([Numbers 18:7](/numbers/18-7 "Numbers 18:7 - The Priestly Office")). Despite the protests of Azariah the high priest and eighty other courageous priests, Uzziah, filled with rage, insisted on performing this priestly function, directly defying God's established order ([2 Chronicles 26:16-19](/2_chronicles/26-16 "2 Chronicles 26:16-19 - Uzziah's Presumptuous Act")). For this act of willful disobedience and usurpation of a holy office, God immediately struck him with leprosy.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The tragic end of King Uzziah, marked by leprosy and a distinct burial due to his ceremonial uncleanness, powerfully highlights the need for a perfect King and an unblemished High Priest, ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Uzziah's leprosy, a consequence of sin and a symbol of ritual impurity, stands in stark contrast to Christ, who, far from being defiled by uncleanness, actively touched and healed lepers, taking away their uncleanness and restoring them to community ([Mark 1:40-42](/mark/1-40 "Mark 1:40-42 - Jesus Heals a Leper")). Uzziah's fatal flaw was his prideful attempt to usurp priestly duties, demonstrating the inherent limitations and sinfulness of human kings. Jesus, however, is our ultimate High Priest, who, unlike Uzziah, did not need to offer sacrifices for His own sins, but offered Himself as the perfect, once-for-all sacrifice, fulfilling all priestly functions without blemish or presumption ([Hebrews 4:14-16](/hebrews/4-14 "Hebrews 4:14-16 - Jesus Our Great High Priest"), [Hebrews 7:27](/hebrews/7-27 "Hebrews 7:27 - Christ's Perfect Sacrifice")). His perfect obedience unto death contrasts sharply with Uzziah's prideful disobedience, offering a path to true cleansing and reconciliation with God that Uzziah's ritualistic uncleanness could never achieve. Moreover, while Uzziah's reign ended in ignominy and his burial was marked by the consequences of sin, Christ's reign is eternal, righteous, and brings everlasting life to all who believe, establishing a kingdom that will never end ([Isaiah 9:6-7](/isaiah/9-6 "Isaiah 9:6-7 - The Everlasting Kingdom of Christ"), [Luke 1:32-33](/luke/1-32 "Luke 1:32-33 - The Eternal Kingdom of Jesus")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

2 Chronicles 21:20

Thirty and two years old was he when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem eight years, and departed without being desired. Howbeit they buried him in the city of David, but not in the sepulchres of the kings.

2 Chronicles 28:27

And Ahaz slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the city, [even] in Jerusalem: but they brought him not into the sepulchres of the kings of Israel: and Hezekiah his son reigned in his stead.

Isaiah 6:1

¶ In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple.

2 Kings 15:6

And the rest of the acts of Azariah, and all that he did, [are] they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?

2 Kings 15:7

So Azariah slept with his fathers; and they buried him with his fathers in the city of David: and Jotham his son reigned in his stead.

2 Chronicles 33:20

So Manasseh slept with his fathers, and they buried him in his own house: and Amon his son reigned in his stead.

2 Chronicles 26:18

And they withstood Uzziah the king, and said unto him, [It appertaineth] not unto thee, Uzziah, to burn incense unto the LORD, but to the priests the sons of Aaron, that are consecrated to burn incense: go out of the sanctuary; for thou hast trespassed; neither [shall it be] for thine honour from the LORD God.