2nd Dabar-Hayamym (2 Chronicles) — 26

Uzzyahu Reigns in Yahudah

1 Now all the people of Yahudah took Uzzyahu, who was sixteen years old, and made him king instead of his father Amazyahu. 

2 He built Alath and restored it to Yahudah, after the king rested with his fathers.

3 Uzzyahu was sixteen years old when he became king, and he reigned fifty-two years in Yahushalam. His mother’s name was Yachulyahu of Yahushalam. 

4 And he did what was right in the sight of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH, according to all that his father Amazyahu had done. 

5 He sought 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH in the days of Zacharyahu, who had understanding in the visions of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH; and as long as he sought 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH, 𐤀𐤋𐤅𐤄_ALUAH made him prosper.

6 Now he went out and made war against the Philistines, and broke down the wall of Gath, the wall of Yabnah, and the wall of Ashdud; and he built cities around Ashdud and among the Philistines. 

7 And 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH helped him against the Philistines, against the Arabians who lived in Gur Baal, and against the Maunites. 

8 Also the Ammunites brought tribute to Uzzyahu. His fame spread as far as the entrance of Mitzraym, for he became exceedingly strong.

9 And Uzzyahu built towers in Yahushalam at the Corner Gate, at the Valley Gate, and at the corner buttress of the wall; then he fortified them. 

10 Also he built towers in the desert, he dug many wells, for he had much livestock, both in the lowlands and in the plains; he also had farmers and vinedressers in the mountains and in Carmel, for he loved the soil.

11 Moreover Uzzyahu had an army of fighting men who went out to war by companies, according to the number on their roll as prepared by Yaial the scribe and Maasayahu the officer, under the hand of Hananyahu, one of the king’s captains. 

12 The total number of chief officers of the mighty men of valor was two thousand six hundred. 

13 And under their authority was an army of three hundred and seven thousand five hundred, that made war with mighty power, to help the king against the enemy. 

14 Then Uzzyahu prepared for them, for the entire army, shields, spears, helmets, body armor, bows, and slings to cast stones. 

15 And he made devices in Yahushalam, invented by skillful men, to be on the towers and the corners, to shoot arrows and large stones. So his fame spread far and wide, for he was marvelously helped by 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH till he became strong.

The Penalty for Uzzyahu’s Pride

16 But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up to his destruction, for he transgressed against 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH his  𐤀𐤋𐤅𐤄_ALUAH by entering the temple of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH to burn incense on the altar of incense. 

17 So Azaryahu the Kuhan went in after him, and with him were eighty Kuhanym of  𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH valiant men. 

18 And they withstood King Uzzyahu, and said to him, “It is not for you, Uzzyahu, to burn incense to 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH, but for the Kuhanym, the sons of Aarun, who are consecrated to burn incense. Get out of the sanctuary, for you have trespassed! You shall have no honor from 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH our  𐤀𐤋𐤅𐤄_ALUAH.”

19 Then Uzzyahu became furious; and he had a censer in his hand to burn incense. And while he was angry with the Kuhanym, leprosy broke out on his forehead, before the Kuhanym in the house of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH, beside the incense altar. 

20 And Azaryahu the chief Kuhan and all the Kuhanym looked at him, and there, on his forehead, he was leprous; so they thrust him out of that place. Indeed he also hurried to get out, because 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH had struck him.

21 King Uzzyahu was a leper until the day of his death, he dwelt in an isolated house, because he was a leper; for he was cut off from the house of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH. Then Yutham his son was over the king’s house, judging the people of the land.

22 Now the rest of the acts of Uzzyahu, from first to last, the Nabym Yashayahu the son of Amuz wrote. 

23 So Uzzyahu rested with his fathers, and they buried him with his fathers in the field of burial which belonged to the kings, for they said, “He is a leper.” Then Yutham his son reigned in his place.