2 Chronicles 26:20

And Azariah the chief priest, and all the priests, looked upon him, and, behold, he [was] leprous in his forehead, and they thrust him out from thence; yea, himself hasted also to go out, because the LORD had smitten him.

And Azariah {H5838} the chief {H7218} priest {H3548}, and all the priests {H3548}, looked {H6437} upon him, and, behold, he was leprous {H6879} in his forehead {H4696}, and they thrust him out {H926} from thence; yea, himself hasted {H1765} also to go out {H3318}, because the LORD {H3068} had smitten {H5060} him.

'Azaryahu the chief cohen and all the cohanim stared at him -there he was, with tzara'at on his forehead! Quickly they threw him out of there; and indeed, he himself hurried to get out, because ADONAI had struck him.

When Azariah the chief priest and all the priests turned to him and saw his leprous forehead, they rushed him out. Indeed, he himself hurried to get out, because the LORD had afflicted him.

And Azariah the chief priest, and all the priests, looked upon him, and, behold, he was leprous in his forehead, and they thrust him out quickly from thence; yea, himself hasted also to go out, because Jehovah had smitten him.

Commentary

Context

This verse describes the immediate and severe consequence of King Uzziah's (also known as Azariah in some texts) presumptuous act. Uzziah, who had a long and initially prosperous reign, became powerful and his heart was lifted up in pride (2 Chronicles 26:16). He entered the temple to burn incense on the altar, a sacred duty reserved exclusively for the priests, the descendants of Aaron (Numbers 18:7). Azariah the chief priest, along with eighty other courageous priests, confronted Uzziah, urging him to leave the sanctuary. In his anger and defiance, Uzziah was instantly struck with leprosy by the LORD, right there in the temple.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment for Presumption: The immediate onset of leprosy on Uzziah's forehead serves as a stark demonstration of God's holiness and His swift judgment against those who usurp sacred roles or defy His established order. It underscores that even a powerful king is subject to God's law.
  • Respect for God's Boundaries: This event highlights the strict separation of roles and responsibilities ordained by God in ancient Israel. The king's authority was distinct from the priest's, and Uzziah's attempt to combine them was a grave offense against the divine blueprint for worship and governance.
  • The Nature of Leprosy in the Bible: In Old Testament times, leprosy (tzara'at in Hebrew, often a broader term for various skin afflictions) was not only a physical disease but also carried significant ceremonial uncleanness. It often symbolized sin and was sometimes a direct punishment from God, as seen with Miriam in Numbers 12:10. Its visible manifestation on Uzziah's forehead made his sin and its consequence undeniable.
  • Priestly Authority and Courage: The priests, led by Azariah, demonstrated remarkable courage and faithfulness in standing up to the king, prioritizing God's command over royal power. Their action in thrusting Uzziah out was in accordance with the law concerning those afflicted with uncleanness.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "the LORD had smitten him" emphasizes that Uzziah's affliction was not a random illness but a direct, divine act. The Hebrew word for "smitten" (Χ Χ’Χ’ - naga') conveys a sense of being touched or struck, often with a negative or punitive connotation, further highlighting the immediate and direct divine judgment.

Practical Application

Uzziah's story offers timeless lessons for believers today:

  • Humility Before God: We are called to serve God within the roles and gifts He has given us, avoiding pride and the temptation to overstep our boundaries or presume upon His grace (Proverbs 16:18).
  • Reverence for God's Holiness: God is holy, and His commands are to be taken seriously. Disobedience, especially willful defiance, carries consequences.
  • Respect for Spiritual Authority: While Uzziah's specific sin involved the Old Testament priestly system, the principle of respecting spiritual order and not undermining established divine structures remains relevant.
  • The Nature of Sin's Consequences: While not all sin results in immediate physical affliction like Uzziah's, this account is a powerful reminder that sin has consequences, both temporal and eternal. It encourages us to live a life of obedience and reverence.
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Cross-References

  • Esther 6:12 (2 votes)

    ΒΆ And Mordecai came again to the king's gate. But Haman hasted to his house mourning, and having his head covered.

  • Deuteronomy 28:22 (2 votes)

    The LORD shall smite thee with a consumption, and with a fever, and with an inflammation, and with an extreme burning, and with the sword, and with blasting, and with mildew; and they shall pursue thee until thou perish.

  • Deuteronomy 28:35 (2 votes)

    The LORD shall smite thee in the knees, and in the legs, with a sore botch that cannot be healed, from the sole of thy foot unto the top of thy head.

  • Leviticus 14:34 (2 votes)

    When ye be come into the land of Canaan, which I give to you for a possession, and I put the plague of leprosy in a house of the land of your possession;