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Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Chronicles 26:16

To (his) destruction ; Hebrew, עַד־לְחַשְׁחִית , hiph. conjugation infin, of שָׁחַת . This conjugation frequently occurs in the sense of "destroying," but also as well without an accusative as with, in the sense of "doing corruptly" ( Genesis 6:12 with accusative; but without Deuteronomy 4:16 ; Deuteronomy 31:29 ; 2:19 ; Isaiah 1:19 ; and next chapter, Isaiah 1:2 ). He transgressed . The "transgression" of a heart that had waxed wanton through prosperity took that... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Chronicles 26:16-21

A clouded close. We could have wished that the end of Uzziah's life had answered to the beginning; that a reign which began so well, which had so commendable and even distinguished a record, bad closed in light and honour. But it was not to be. That powerful temptation which assails the strong and the victorious proved too powerful for the Hebrew king; he fell beneath its force, and he paid a heavy penalty for his fall. We have— I. A PAINFUL SPECTACLE in the person of a leprous... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Chronicles 26:16-23

Uzziah the leprous. I. UZZIAH 'S TRANSGRESSION . Pride. "His heart was lifted up." This the inevitable tendency of too much material and temporal prosperity ( Deuteronomy 8:13 , Deuteronomy 8:14 ). Exemplified in Amaziah ( 2 Chronicles 25:18 , 2 Chronicles 25:19 ; 2 Kings 14:9 ), Sennacherib ( 2 Chronicles 32:31 ; 2 Kings 18:19-35 ), Nebuchadnezzar ( Daniel 4:30-34 ; Daniel 5:20 ). 2 . The nature of it. "He went into the temple of the Lord to burn incense... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Chronicles 26:17

Azariah the priest . Verse 20 states what was otherwise to be supposed, that he was the chief priest ( הָראשׁ ). We fail to identify his name with any in the typical list of 1 Chronicles 6:4-15 , where the Azariah of verse 11 is too early, and the Azariah of verse 13 too late, for our present Azariah. With him four score priests . This passage suggests to us an idea of how many deeply interesting details are wanting, which would fill in the interstices of Old Testament history.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Chronicles 26:18

They withstood . A somewhat more forcible rendering would be justified by the Hebrew text, such e.g. as, "They confronted Uzziah to his face," or "They stood in the way of Uzziah," since our "withstood" almost always conveys the idea of argumentative confronting only. There was expostulation here, as we are immediately told, but there was something else also, as 2 Chronicles 26:20 makes very plain, "They thrust him out." read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Chronicles 26:19

Render, Then Uzziah was wrath, and in his hand (at that moment) was a censer to burn incense, etc. From the most literal rendering of the Hebrew text, not unfrequently the most forcible Bible English results. From beside ; render, at the very side of (comp. Numbers 12:10 ; 2 Kings 5:27 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Chronicles 26:20

They thrust him out. This hiph. conjugation of kal בָּהַל does not point to the force adopted, but to the trembling anxiety with which, for horror's sake of such a monstrous catastrophe, as a leper by the altar and with a censer in his hand, etc; the priests urged him out. Evidently, from the next clause, no great force in the ordinary sense was needed. Yea, himself hasted . The Hebrew verb is niph. conjugation of דָחַף . It is interesting to note that this root occurs only... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Chronicles 26:16

To his destruction - Rather, “to do wickedly.” Uzziah appears to have deliberately determined to invade the priest’s office (marginal reference “m”), thus repeating the sin of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram Numbers 16:1-35. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Chronicles 26:20

Death was denounced by the Law against those who invaded the office of the priest; and death had been the actual punishment of Korah and his company. Uzziah feared lest from him also the extreme penalty should be exacted, and therefore hasted to quit the sacred building where his bare presence was a capital crime. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Chronicles 26:16

2 Chronicles 26:16 . When he was strong Strengthened in his kingdom, and free from the fear of any enemy; his heart was lifted up to his destruction Thus the prosperity of fools, by puffing them up with pride, destroys them. He had done so much business, and attained so much honour, that he began to think no business, no honour too great, or too good for him; no, not that of the priesthood. He went unto the temple of the Lord Into the holy place, where the altar of incense stood, and... read more

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