2 Chronicles 26:3

KJV

Sixteen years old [was] Uzziah when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty and two years in Jerusalem. His mother's name also [was] Jecoliah of Jerusalem.

KJV (with Strong's)

Sixteen {H8337}{H6240} years {H8141} old {H1121} was Uzziah {H5818} when he began to reign {H4427}, and he reigned {H4427} fifty {H2572} and two {H8147} years {H8141} in Jerusalem {H3389}. His mother's {H517} name {H8034} also was Jecoliah {H3203} of Jerusalem {H3389}.

Complete Jewish Bible

'Uziyahu was sixteen years old when he began his reign, and he ruled for fifty-two years in Yerushalayim. His mother's name was Y'kholyahu, from Yerushalayim.

Berean Standard Bible

Uzziah was sixteen years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem fifty-two years. His mother’s name was Jecoliah; she was from Jerusalem.

American Standard Version

Sixteen years old was Uzziah when he began to reign; and he reigned fifty and two years in Jerusalem: and his mother’s name was Jechiliah, of Jerusalem.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Second Chronicles 26:3 introduces King Uzziah, also known as Azariah, at the tender age of sixteen, marking the commencement of his remarkably long fifty-two-year reign from Jerusalem. This concise biographical entry also notes his mother, Jecoliah of Jerusalem, establishing his lineage and setting the stage for a significant period in Judah's history, characterized by initial divine favor and prosperity, yet ultimately marred by a tragic fall from grace due to pride.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows the account of Amaziah's assassination (2 Chronicles 25:27-28), signaling a transition of power and the beginning of a new royal era for Judah. The Chronicler's narrative frequently emphasizes the spiritual trajectory of Judah's kings, highlighting how their obedience or disobedience to God directly impacted the nation's welfare. Uzziah's introduction here is crucial as it sets up one of the most detailed and illustrative reigns in Chronicles, serving as a prime example of a king who started well but ended poorly. The subsequent verses (e.g., [2 Chronicles 26:5](/2_chronicles/26-5 "2 Chronicles 26:5 - Uzziah's Early Obedience")) will elaborate on Uzziah's early faithfulness and the prosperity it brought, making this initial biographical detail a foundational marker for the entire narrative arc of his rule.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Near Eastern monarchies, while young rulers were not unheard of, assuming the throne at sixteen carried immense responsibility, often requiring the guidance of regents or wise counselors. The mention of the king's mother, Jecoliah of Jerusalem, is a distinctive feature of the accounts of Judean kings in both Kings and Chronicles, unlike the northern kingdom of Israel. This practice served to establish the king's legitimacy, identify his lineage within the Davidic dynasty, and sometimes even hint at the influence of the queen mother (the *gebirah*) in the royal court. Jerusalem, as the capital city, was not merely a geographical location but the spiritual and political heart of Judah, the city where the Temple stood, reinforcing the king's connection to the covenant and the central worship of Yahweh.
* **Key Themes:** This introductory verse, though brief, contributes to several overarching themes in Chronicles. It underscores the theme of **divine sovereignty** in appointing leaders, even young ones, to fulfill God's purposes. Uzziah's long reign (fifty-two years) immediately suggests **stability and potential for significant impact**, a theme the Chronicler often links to the king's faithfulness. The mention of his mother and Jerusalem reinforces the **continuity of the Davidic covenant** and the importance of the royal line connected to God's chosen city. Furthermore, this verse subtly **foreshadows** the Chronicler's deep interest in the king's **character and spiritual disposition**, as Uzziah's story will become a powerful narrative about the dangers of pride and the consequences of straying from God's path, despite initial success (as seen later in [2 Chronicles 26:16](/2_chronicles/26-16 "2 Chronicles 26:16 - Uzziah's Pride and Downfall")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Uzziah (Hebrew, _‘Uzzîyāh_):** This name means "My strength is Yahweh" or "Yahweh is my strength." Theophoric names, which incorporate a divine element (in this case, "Yah" for Yahweh), were common and often reflected the hopes or circumstances surrounding a child's birth. For Uzziah, this name is particularly poignant, as his early reign was indeed characterized by strength and success attributed to God's blessing, yet his later downfall stemmed from relying on his own strength rather than Yahweh's.
* **Reign (Hebrew, _mālak_):** This verb signifies the act of ruling as a king, encompassing the exercise of royal authority, governance, and leadership. In the context of Chronicles, the quality and duration of a king's "reign" are consistently tied to his obedience or disobedience to God, making it a theological term as much as a political one. Uzziah's extended reign highlights the significant period of influence he wielded over Judah.
* **Jecoliah (Hebrew, _Yekolyah_):** Meaning "Yahweh is able" or "Yahweh is mighty," this is another theophoric name, emphasizing God's power. The mention of the queen mother's name was a standard practice for Judean kings, serving to establish legitimacy, lineage, and connection to the royal family. Her origin "of Jerusalem" further solidifies the king's ties to the capital and the Davidic line.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Sixteen years old [was] Uzziah when he began to reign":** This clause immediately establishes the king's youth at the time of his ascension, highlighting the significant responsibility placed upon him at a tender age. It sets the chronological marker for the beginning of his rule, emphasizing his early entry into leadership.
* **"and he reigned fifty and two years in Jerusalem":** This part of the verse details the extraordinary longevity of Uzziah's reign, one of the longest in Judah's history. The duration of fifty-two years indicates a period of remarkable stability and influence, while "in Jerusalem" anchors his rule to the divinely chosen capital, the center of worship and the Davidic dynasty.
* **"His mother's name also [was] Jecoliah of Jerusalem":** This final clause provides crucial genealogical information. The inclusion of the queen mother's name was a standard convention for Judean kings, affirming legitimacy, lineage, and continuity within the royal house. Her origin "of Jerusalem" further reinforces the king's connection to the city and the established order.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several literary devices to efficiently convey foundational information. **Biographical Detail** is paramount, providing essential facts about Uzziah's age, the length and location of his reign, and his mother's identity. This precise factual reporting anchors the narrative in historical reality. It also functions as a **Chronological Marker**, establishing the temporal boundaries of Uzziah's rule, which is crucial for understanding the subsequent events. Furthermore, there is subtle **Foreshadowing** at play. While the verse itself is purely descriptive, the Chronicler's audience would know the full story of Uzziah. The introduction of such a long and initially prosperous reign, especially for a king named "Yahweh is my strength," creates an expectation of significant events, subtly hinting at the dramatic turn his story will take, where his reliance shifts from God to himself, leading to his downfall.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This seemingly straightforward biographical verse serves as the foundational stone for a profound theological narrative in Chronicles. It introduces a king whose early life embodies the potential for God-given strength and prosperity when a leader aligns with divine will, yet whose later life will serve as a stark cautionary tale about the dangers of pride and self-reliance. The longevity of Uzziah's reign, emphasized here, underscores God's patience and the extended opportunities He grants for faithfulness, even as it highlights the tragic consequences of ultimately turning away. The Chronicler's consistent focus on the king's relationship with God is immediately set into motion, preparing the reader for a story that illustrates the direct correlation between a ruler's spiritual state and the nation's well-being.

* [2 Kings 15:1-3](/2_kings/15-1 "2 Kings 15:1-3 - Parallel Account of Uzziah's Reign")
* [2 Chronicles 26:5](/2_chronicles/26-5 "2 Chronicles 26:5 - Uzziah's Early Faithfulness")
* [Proverbs 16:18](/proverbs/16-18 "Proverbs 16:18 - Pride Goes Before Destruction")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This brief introduction to King Uzziah, detailing his age, the length of his reign, and his lineage, holds significant lessons for believers today. It underscores the immense responsibility that comes with any sphere of influence, regardless of age or experience. Uzziah's early ascension reminds us that God can use anyone, even the young, to accomplish His purposes, but it also highlights the critical importance of continued reliance on Him. The longevity of his reign speaks to the profound and lasting impact a leader can have, whether for good or ill. For us, this prompts reflection on our own "reigns"—our families, workplaces, communities, and personal lives. How are we stewarding the time, talents, and opportunities God has given us? Are we beginning well, seeking God's wisdom and strength, and are we committed to sustaining that humility throughout our journey, learning from Uzziah's initial success and ultimate failure?

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the early life of Uzziah, as introduced here, challenge or affirm my understanding of leadership and responsibility?**
* **What "reigns" or spheres of influence has God entrusted to me, and how am I stewarding them with humility and reliance on Him?**
* **In what ways might a strong beginning, like Uzziah's, lead to complacency or pride if not continually grounded in God's grace?**

### FAQ
**Why is the mother's name mentioned for kings in Judah but less often for kings in Israel?**

Answer: The inclusion of the king's mother's name, often referred to as the "gebirah" or queen mother, was a distinctive and consistent practice for the kings of Judah (the Southern Kingdom), but rarely for the kings of Israel (the Northern Kingdom). This practice served several important purposes in Judah. Firstly, it helped to establish the king's legitimacy and his clear lineage within the Davidic dynasty, which was crucial for the stability and continuity of the throne. Secondly, the queen mother often held a significant and influential position within the royal court, sometimes even acting as a regent or advisor, and her identity was therefore important to the public record. Finally, it provided a unique identifier for each king, as many kings shared common names. This detail underscores the Chronicler's emphasis on the Davidic line and the unique covenant relationship God had with Judah through that lineage, contrasting with the often unstable and illegitimate successions in Israel.

**Was Uzziah's reign truly successful, given his later downfall?**

Answer: Uzziah's reign was undeniably successful for a significant period, particularly in its early decades. [2 Chronicles 26:6-15](/2_chronicles/26-6 "2 Chronicles 26:6-15 - Uzziah's Achievements and Prosperity") details his military victories against the Philistines, Arabs, and Meunites, his extensive building projects (fortifications, towers, cisterns), his agricultural innovations, and the development of a strong, well-equipped army. The text explicitly states that "God helped him" (2 Chronicles 26:7) and "his fame spread far and wide, for he was greatly helped until he became strong" (2 Chronicles 26:15). However, this success was tragically marred by his pride. [2 Chronicles 26:16-21](/2_chronicles/26-16 "2 Chronicles 26:16-21 - Uzziah's Pride and Leprosy") records how, in his strength, he presumed to enter the Temple to burn incense, an act reserved for priests. For this transgression, he was struck with leprosy and lived in isolation until his death. Thus, Uzziah's reign is a complex narrative of initial divine blessing and remarkable achievement, ultimately overshadowed by a profound moral and spiritual failure, serving as a powerful biblical lesson on the corrupting influence of pride.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While 2 Chronicles 26:3 introduces a mortal king whose reign, despite its initial promise, ultimately ends in the tragic consequence of pride and isolation, it subtly points to the need for a perfect King. Uzziah's name, "My strength is Yahweh," hints at a divine reliance that he himself ultimately failed to maintain, succumbing to the temptation of self-strength. In stark contrast, Jesus Christ is the true King who perfectly embodies reliance on God, never succumbing to pride or self-exaltation, even to the point of [humbling Himself and becoming obedient to death on a cross](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Humiliation and Obedience"). He is the ultimate [Son of David](/matthew/1-1 "Matthew 1:1 - Jesus, Son of David"), whose "reign" is not limited by age or time, but is [eternal and without end](/luke/1-33 "Luke 1:33 - Jesus' Eternal Kingdom"). Unlike Uzziah, whose strength eventually led to his downfall and isolation, Christ's strength is perfect, and He willingly [took on human weakness](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Jesus' Temptation and Sympathy") to secure our salvation, breaking the power of sin and death. His "mother," Mary, is mentioned in the Gospels not for dynastic legitimacy in the same earthly sense, but for the miraculous [incarnation of God](/luke/1-35 "Luke 1:35 - The Incarnation of Jesus"), establishing His unique identity as both fully God and fully man, the promised Messiah. Uzziah's story, with its blend of initial success and ultimate failure, underscores humanity's desperate need for a King whose reign is marked by perfect humility, enduring righteousness, and an [unending kingdom](/hebrews/7-24 "Hebrews 7:24 - Christ's Unchanging Priesthood and Kingdom"), found only in Christ.

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 Kings 15:2

Sixteen years old was he when he began to reign, and he reigned two and fifty years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name [was] Jecholiah of Jerusalem.

2 Kings 15:3

And he did [that which was] right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father Amaziah had done;

Amos 1:1

¶ The words of Amos, who was among the herdmen of Tekoa, which he saw concerning Israel in the days of Uzziah king of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash king of Israel, two years before the earthquake.

Isaiah 1:1

¶ The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, [and] Hezekiah, kings of Judah.

Zechariah 14:5

And ye shall flee [to] the valley of the mountains; for the valley of the mountains shall reach unto Azal: yea, ye shall flee, like as ye fled from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah: and the LORD my God shall come, [and] all the saints with thee.

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.

Hosea 1:1

¶ The word of the LORD that came unto Hosea, the son of Beeri, in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, [and] Hezekiah, kings of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel.