2 Chronicles 26:23

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Context

This verse marks the end of King Uzziah's long and prosperous reign over Judah. Uzziah, also known as Azariah, began ruling at the age of sixteen and reigned for 52 years, during which time he brought great strength and prosperity to the kingdom (see 2 Chronicles 26:5). However, his success led to pride. Towards the end of his life, Uzziah presumptuously entered the Temple to burn incense on the altar of incense, a duty reserved exclusively for the priests, the sons of Aaron. For this act of disobedience and pride, God struck him with leprosy (2 Chronicles 26:16-21). From that day until his death, Uzziah lived in isolation, fulfilling the requirements for lepers under the Mosaic Law, while his son Jotham managed the kingdom.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment: Uzziah's leprosy was a direct and visible consequence of his defiance against God's established order and the sacred duties of the priesthood. This verse highlights the finality of this judgment in his burial.
  • Consequences of Pride: Despite his initial faithfulness and great achievements, Uzziah's heart was "lifted up" (2 Chronicles 26:16), leading to his downfall. This serves as a potent reminder that pride precedes destruction.
  • Ceremonial Uncleanness: The phrase "for they said, He is a leper" underscores the reason for his distinct burial. According to Mosaic Law, lepers were considered ceremonially unclean and had to live apart from the community (Leviticus 13:46). His separate burial, though still "with his fathers" in a general sense, signified his continued state of uncleanness even in death, preventing him from being laid in the royal sepulchers alongside other kings.
  • Orderly Succession: The verse concludes by noting the peaceful transition of power to Jotham, who had already been acting as regent during Uzziah's illness. This ensured stability for the kingdom of Judah.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV's phrasing "So Uzziah slept with his fathers" is a common biblical idiom for death, signifying that he joined his ancestors in the afterlife. The direct statement "He is a leper" (Hebrew: tsarua') is stark and definitive, serving as the sole and sufficient explanation for his burial outside the customary royal tombs. It emphasizes that his condition was not merely an illness but a sign of divine disfavor that carried social and religious implications even in death.

Practical Application

Uzziah's story offers crucial lessons for believers today:

  • Humility is Paramount: Success and power can easily breed pride. We must remain humble before God, recognizing that all our blessings come from Him (1 Corinthians 4:7).
  • Respect God's Boundaries: Uzziah's error was crossing a line God had drawn. We are called to respect God's established roles and authority, whether in the church, family, or society.
  • Consequences of Disobedience: While God is merciful, His justice is also real. Disobedience, especially willful defiance, can lead to severe consequences, even for those who have previously served Him faithfully.
  • God's Sovereignty in Leadership: Even amidst personal failures of leaders, God's plan for succession and the stability of His people ultimately prevails, as seen in Jotham's smooth transition to the throne.
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 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 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.
← Back