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
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
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
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
2 Chronicles 26:18. And they withstood Uzziah Hebrew, stood up against Uzziah, not by force, or laying hands upon him to restrain him, for in the next verse we still find the censer in his hand; but only by admonition and reproof, which follows. Neither shall it be for thine honour, &c. Expect that God will punish thee, or put some brand of infamy upon thee for this presumption. But this they express modestly, because they considered that he to whom they spake, though an offender,... read more
2 Chronicles 26:19. Then Uzziah was wroth With the priests. While he was wroth the leprosy rose up in his forehead So that he could not hide his shame: though it is probable it was also in the rest of his body. From beside the incense-altar By a stroke from an invisible hand, coming from the altar; that he might be assured this was the effect of God’s displeasure. read more
2 Chronicles 26:20. They thrust him out from thence Not by force, which needed not, for he voluntarily hasted away, as it follows; but by vehement persuasions and denunciations of God’s further judgments upon him, if he did not depart. read more
Prosperity followed by disaster (25:1-28:27)Succeeding kings of Israel are passed over in silence (2 Kings 13:1-25). Judah was to have nothing to do with the northern kingdom, not even to the hiring of Israelite soldiers. Amaziah took the advice, and was rewarded with victory in a battle against Edom. But the victory, instead of increasing his dependence on God, gave him a feeling of independence. He turned from God and worshipped idols. The ungodly northern kingdom then became God’s instrument... read more
valiant men = sons of valour. read more
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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