2 Chronicles 26:19

Hebrew Bible Modern 1977

ויזעף עזיהו ובידו מקטרת להקטיר ובזעפו עם הכהנים והצרעת זרחה במצחו לפני הכהנים בבית יהוה מעל למזבח הקטרת:

What Does This Mean?

This verse describes King Uzziah becoming angry when the priests stopped him from burning incense, which was not his duty. In his anger, he was instantly punished by God with leprosy on his forehead.

Explained for Children

Imagine if you got a big zit on your forehead every time you got mad at someone for telling you not to do something you're not supposed to do. That's kind of what happened to King Uzziah when he got really mad at the priests for telling him he couldn't burn incense.

Historical Background

2 Chronicles was written by priests or Levites during the Persian period, around 400 BCE. It was written for Jews returning from exile to remind them of God's dealings with their ancestors and the importance of following God's laws.

Living It Out Today

Just like Uzziah, we often get angry when we are told we can't do something. However, the lesson here is that we should respect authority and follow the rules, even if we don't like them, to avoid negative consequences.

Topics

• anger
• obedience
• divine punishment
• priestly duties
• kingship
• leprosy

Related Verses

• Numbers 16:46
• Leviticus 17:8-9
• Numbers 18:1-7
• 2 Chronicles 26:16-21
• Luke 14:34-35

Recommended Reading

Commentary 2 Chronicles Commentaries → Get This Bible Hebrew Bible Modern Study Bible →

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Uzziah get leprosy on his forehead?

Uzziah got leprosy as a punishment from God for disobeying the priests and attempting to perform a task reserved for the priests, showing the seriousness of his disrespect and disobedience.

What can we learn from Uzziah's story?

Uzziah's story teaches us the importance of respecting authority and following the rules, as well as the consequences of disobedience and the importance of humility.

How does this verse relate to today?

This verse reminds us that disrespecting authority and breaking rules can lead to negative consequences, which can be applied to any situation where we face temptations to act outside of our roles or defy those in charge.

What role do the priests play in this story?

The priests serve as the guardians of religious law, reminding Uzziah that he is not allowed to burn incense, a duty reserved for priests, and thus highlight the importance of adhering to religious traditions.