2 Chronicles 26:10
New International Version
He also built towers in the wilderness and dug many cisterns, because he had much livestock in the foothills and in the plain. He had people working his fields and vineyards in the hills and in the fertile lands, for he loved the soil.

New Living Translation
He also constructed forts in the wilderness and dug many water cisterns, because he kept great herds of livestock in the foothills of Judah and on the plains. He was also a man who loved the soil. He had many workers who cared for his farms and vineyards, both on the hillsides and in the fertile valleys.

English Standard Version
And he built towers in the wilderness and cut out many cisterns, for he had large herds, both in the Shephelah and in the plain, and he had farmers and vinedressers in the hills and in the fertile lands, for he loved the soil.

Berean Standard Bible
Since he had much livestock in the foothills and in the plain, he built towers in the desert and dug many cisterns. And since he was a lover of the soil, he had farmers and vinedressers in the hill country and in the fertile fields.

King James Bible
Also he built towers in the desert, and digged many wells: for he had much cattle, both in the low country, and in the plains: husbandmen also, and vine dressers in the mountains, and in Carmel: for he loved husbandry.

New King James Version
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.

New American Standard Bible
He also built towers in the wilderness and carved out many cisterns, for he had much livestock, both in the lowland and in the plain. He also had plowmen and vinedressers in the hill country and the fertile fields, for he loved the soil.

NASB 1995
He built towers in the wilderness and hewed many cisterns, for he had much livestock, both in the lowland and in the plain. He also had plowmen and vinedressers in the hill country and the fertile fields, for he loved the soil.

NASB 1977
And he built towers in the wilderness and hewed many cisterns, for he had much livestock, both in the lowland and in the plain. He also had plowmen and vinedressers in the hill country and the fertile fields, for he loved the soil.

Legacy Standard Bible
He also built towers in the wilderness and hewed many cisterns, for he had much livestock, both in the Shephelah and in the plain. He also had plowmen and vinedressers in the hill country and the fertile fields, for he loved the soil.

Amplified Bible
He also built towers in the wilderness and dug many cisterns, for he had a great deal of livestock, both in the lowlands and in the plain. He also had farmers and vinedressers in the hill country and in the fertile fields, for he loved the soil.

Christian Standard Bible
Since he had many cattle both in the Judean foothills and the plain, he built towers in the desert and dug many wells. And since he was a lover of the soil, he had farmers and vinedressers in the hills and in the fertile lands.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Since he had many cattle both in the Judean foothills and the plain, he built towers in the desert and dug many wells. And since he was a lover of the soil, he had farmers and vinedressers in the hills and in the fertile lands.

American Standard Version
And he built towers in the wilderness, and hewed out many cisterns, for he had much cattle; in the lowland also, and in the plain: and he had husbandmen and vinedressers in the mountains and in the fruitful fields; for he loved husbandry.

Contemporary English Version
He also built defense towers out in the desert. He owned such a large herd of livestock in the western foothills and in the flatlands, that he had cisterns dug there to catch the rainwater. He loved farming, so he had crops and vineyards planted in the hill country wherever there was fertile soil, and he hired farmers to take care of them.

English Revised Version
And he built towers in the wilderness, and hewed out many cisterns, for he had much cattle; in the lowland also, and in the plain: and he had husbandmen and vinedressers in the mountains and in the fruitful fields; for he loved husbandry.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
He built towers in the desert. He dug many cisterns because he had a lot of herds in the foothills and the plains. He had farmers and vineyard workers in the mountains and the fertile fields because he loved the soil.

Good News Translation
He also built fortified towers in the open country and dug many cisterns, because he had large herds of livestock in the western foothills and plains. Because he loved farming, he encouraged the people to plant vineyards in the hill country and to farm the fertile land.

International Standard Version
He also built watchtowers in the wilderness and had many cisterns hewed out, since he also possessed large herds, both in the Shephelah and in the midland plains. He had many farmers and vinedressers throughout the hills and fertile lands because he loved farming.

Majority Standard Bible
Since he had much livestock in the foothills and in the plain, he built towers in the desert and dug many cisterns. And since he was a lover of the soil, he had farmers and vinedressers in the hill country and in the fertile fields.

NET Bible
He built towers in the desert and dug many cisterns, for he owned many herds in the lowlands and on the plain. He had workers in the fields and vineyards in the hills and in Carmel, for he loved agriculture.

New Heart English Bible
He built towers in the wilderness, and dug out many cisterns, for he had many cattle; in the Shephelah and in the plain he had farmers, and vinedressers in the hills and in the fertile fields, for he loved the land.

Webster's Bible Translation
Also he built towers in the desert, and digged many wells: for he had many cattle, both in the low country, and in the plains: husbandmen also, and vine-dressers in the mountains, and in Carmel: for he loved husbandry.

World English Bible
He built towers in the wilderness, and dug out many cisterns, for he had much livestock, both in the lowlands and in the plains. He had farmers and vineyard keepers in the mountains and in the fruitful fields, for he loved farming.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and he builds towers in the wilderness, and digs many wells, for he had much livestock, both in the low country and in the plain, farmers and vinedressers in the mountains, and in Carmel; for he was a lover of the ground.

Young's Literal Translation
and he buildeth towers in the wilderness, and diggeth many wells, for he had much cattle, both in the low country and in the plain, husbandmen and vine-dressers in the mountains, and in Carmel; for he was a lover of the ground.

Smith's Literal Translation
And he will build towers in the desert, and hew out many wells: for there were many cattle to him; and in the low country and in the plain; and husbandmen and vine-dressers in the mountains, and in Carmel: for he was loving the earth.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And he built towers in the wilderness, and dug many cisterns, for he had much cattle both in the plains, and in the waste of the desert: he had also vineyards and dressers of vines in the mountains, and in Carmel: for he was a man that loved husbandry.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Then he also constructed towers in the wilderness, and dug many cisterns, because he had much cattle, both in the plains and in the starkness of the wilderness. Also, he had vineyards and dressers of vines in the mountains and at Carmel. Certainly, he was a man devoted to agriculture.

New American Bible
He built towers in the wilderness and dug numerous cisterns, for he had many cattle. He had plowmen in the Shephelah and the plains, farmers and vinedressers in the highlands and the garden land. He was a lover of the soil.

New Revised Standard Version
He built towers in the wilderness and hewed out many cisterns, for he had large herds, both in the Shephelah and in the plain, and he had farmers and vinedressers in the hills and in the fertile lands, for he loved the soil.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
He also built many towers in the cities which he had, and he built for himself many castles; for he had much wealth; and had farmers and workers both in the plains and on the mountains, because he had much cattle.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And he built many towers in the cities that he had and he made many castles for himself because he had many riches, and in the valleys and in the mountains he had many Farmers and Laborers, because he had much property.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And be built towers in the wilderness, and hewed out many cisterns, for he had much cattle; in the Lowland also, and in the table-land; and he had husbandmen and vinedressers in the mountains and in the fruitful fields; for he loved husbandry.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And he built towers in the wilderness, and dug many wells, for he had many cattle in the low country and in the plain; and vinedressers in the mountain country and in Carmel: for he was a husbandman.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Uzziah Reigns in Judah
9Uzziah built towers in Jerusalem at the Corner Gate, the Valley Gate, and the angle in the wall, and he fortified them. 10Since he had much livestock in the foothills and in the plain, he built towers in the desert and dug many cisterns. And since he was a lover of the soil, he had farmers and vinedressers in the hill country and in the fertile fields. 11Uzziah had an army ready for battle that went out to war by assigned divisions, as recorded by Jeiel the scribe and Maaseiah the officer under the direction of Hananiah, one of the royal officers.…

Cross References
Isaiah 5:1-2
I will sing for my beloved a song of his vineyard: My beloved had a vineyard on a very fertile hill. / He dug it up and cleared the stones and planted the finest vines. He built a watchtower in the middle and dug out a winepress as well. He waited for the vineyard to yield good grapes, but the fruit it produced was sour!

Isaiah 28:24-26
Does the plowman plow for planting every day? Does he continuously loosen and harrow the soil? / When he has leveled its surface, does he not sow caraway and scatter cumin? He plants wheat in rows and barley in plots, and rye within its border. / For his God instructs and teaches him properly.

Isaiah 32:20
Blessed are those who sow beside abundant waters, who let the ox and donkey range freely.

Amos 9:14
I will restore My people Israel from captivity; they will rebuild and inhabit the ruined cities. They will plant vineyards and drink their wine; they will make gardens and eat their fruit.

Jeremiah 31:5
Again you will plant vineyards on the hills of Samaria; the farmers will plant and enjoy the fruit.

Genesis 26:12
Now Isaac sowed seed in the land, and that very year he reaped a hundredfold. And the LORD blessed him,

Genesis 41:47-49
During the seven years of abundance, the land brought forth bountifully. / During those seven years, Joseph collected all the excess food in the land of Egypt and stored it in the cities. In every city he laid up the food from the fields around it. / So Joseph stored up grain in such abundance, like the sand of the sea, that he stopped keeping track of it; for it was beyond measure.

Deuteronomy 8:7-9
For the LORD your God is bringing you into a good land, a land of brooks and fountains and springs that flow through the valleys and hills; / a land of wheat, barley, vines, fig trees, and pomegranates; a land of olive oil and honey; / a land where you will eat food without scarcity, where you will lack nothing; a land whose rocks are iron and whose hills are ready to be mined for copper.

1 Kings 4:33
He spoke of trees, from the cedar in Lebanon to the hyssop growing in the wall, and he taught about animals, birds, reptiles, and fish.

Psalm 107:37
They sow fields and plant vineyards that yield a fruitful harvest.

Matthew 21:33
Listen to another parable: There was a landowner who planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it, dug a winepress in it, and built a tower. Then he rented it out to some tenants and went away on a journey.

Mark 12:1
Then Jesus began to speak to them in parables: “A man planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it, dug a wine vat, and built a watchtower. Then he rented it out to some tenants and went away on a journey.

Luke 20:9
Then He proceeded to tell the people this parable: “A man planted a vineyard, rented it out to some tenants, and went away for a long time.

John 15:1-2
“I am the true vine, and My Father is the keeper of the vineyard. / He cuts off every branch in Me that bears no fruit, and every branch that does bear fruit, He prunes to make it even more fruitful.

James 5:7
Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer awaits the precious fruit of the soil—how patient he is for the fall and spring rains.


Treasury of Scripture

Also he built towers in the desert, and dig many wells: for he had much cattle, both in the low country, and in the plains: farmers also, and vine dressers in the mountains, and in Carmel: for he loved husbandry.

Genesis 26:18-21
And Isaac digged again the wells of water, which they had digged in the days of Abraham his father; for the Philistines had stopped them after the death of Abraham: and he called their names after the names by which his father had called them…

he had much

2 Kings 3:4
And Mesha king of Moab was a sheepmaster, and rendered unto the king of Israel an hundred thousand lambs, and an hundred thousand rams, with the wool.

1 Chronicles 27:26-31
And over them that did the work of the field for tillage of the ground was Ezri the son of Chelub: …

Carmel.

2 Kings 19:23
By thy messengers thou hast reproached the Lord, and hast said, With the multitude of my chariots I am come up to the height of the mountains, to the sides of Lebanon, and will cut down the tall cedar trees thereof, and the choice fir trees thereof: and I will enter into the lodgings of his borders, and into the forest of his Carmel.

Isaiah 29:17
Is it not yet a very little while, and Lebanon shall be turned into a fruitful field, and the fruitful field shall be esteemed as a forest?

husbandry [heb] ground

Jump to Previous
Built Cattle Cisterns Country Desert Digged Dug Farmers Farming Fertile Fields Fruitful Herds Hill Husbandmen Keepers Livestock Low Mountains Plain Plains Plowmen Shephe'lah Soil Table-Land Towers Vine Vineyard Wells Wilderness
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Built Cattle Cisterns Country Desert Digged Dug Farmers Farming Fertile Fields Fruitful Herds Hill Husbandmen Keepers Livestock Low Mountains Plain Plains Plowmen Shephe'lah Soil Table-Land Towers Vine Vineyard Wells Wilderness
2 Chronicles 26
1. Uzziah succeeding, and reigning well in the days of Zechariah, prospers
16. Waxing proud, he invades the priest's office, and is smitten with leprosy
22. He dies, and Jotham succeeds him














Since he had much livestock
The phrase "much livestock" indicates the wealth and prosperity of King Uzziah's reign. In ancient Israel, livestock was a primary measure of wealth and economic stability. The Hebrew word for livestock, "mikneh," encompasses cattle, sheep, and goats, which were essential for agriculture, trade, and sustenance. Uzziah's possession of abundant livestock signifies God's blessing and favor upon his leadership, reflecting the covenantal promise of prosperity for obedience found throughout the Old Testament.

in the foothills and in the plain
The geographical reference to "the foothills and in the plain" highlights the strategic and fertile regions of Judah. The "foothills" (Hebrew: "Shephelah") were known for their rolling hills and fertile valleys, ideal for agriculture and grazing. The "plain" refers to the lowland areas, which were also agriculturally productive. This distribution of livestock across diverse terrains underscores Uzziah's effective management and utilization of the land, aligning with the biblical principle of stewardship over God's creation.

he built towers in the wilderness
Building "towers in the wilderness" reflects Uzziah's foresight and military strategy. Towers served as watchtowers or fortifications, providing security against potential threats from neighboring nations or wild animals. The Hebrew word "migdal" for towers suggests a structure of strength and defense. This action demonstrates Uzziah's commitment to protecting his people and resources, embodying the biblical call for leaders to safeguard their communities.

and dug many cisterns
The act of digging "many cisterns" reveals Uzziah's wisdom in resource management, particularly concerning water, a precious commodity in the arid climate of the region. Cisterns were essential for collecting and storing rainwater, ensuring a reliable water supply for both people and livestock. The Hebrew term "bor" for cisterns indicates a man-made reservoir, emphasizing human ingenuity in adapting to environmental challenges. This reflects the biblical theme of preparation and provision, trusting in God's provision while taking practical steps to meet needs.

because he had much livestock
The repetition of "much livestock" at the end of the verse reinforces the centrality of this resource to Uzziah's reign. It serves as both the motivation for his infrastructural projects and a testament to his prosperity. This abundance is a tangible sign of God's blessing, as promised in Deuteronomy 28:4, where obedience leads to the fruitfulness of livestock. Uzziah's success is a reminder of the biblical principle that faithfulness to God results in His provision and favor.

(10) In the desert.--Or, grazing country, i.e., the "wilderness of Judah," on the west of the Dead Sea. The towers were for the protection of the royal herds against the predatory Bedawin. (Comp. Micah 4:8 : "And thou, O tower of the flock.")

Digged many wells.--Hewed out many cisterns; to supply his herds with water.

For he had much cattle.--Scil, there, in the wilderness of Judah. But perhaps we should render thus: "For he had much cattle; and in the lowland and in the plain he had husbandmen; and vinedressers in the mountains and in the glebe land." So Syriac.

Both in the low country.--And in the lowland of Judah; the Sheph?lah, between the hills and the Mediterranean.

And in the plains.--Plain (mishor). "The Plain," par excellence, appears to mean the high level east of the Dead Sea and Jordan (Deuteronomy 4:43; Joshua 20:8). This was the territory of Reuben, which Uzziah probably recovered from Moab and Ammon (2Chronicles 26:8). (Comp. Isaiah 16:1, from which it appears that the kings of Judah at this epoch claimed sovereignty over the country on the eastern side of the Jordan.) . . .

Verse 10. - Towers in the desert; Hebrew, בַּמִּזְבָּר; the rendering should be the usual one of "wilderness." This was the cattle-pasture west and south-west of the Dead Sea. The towers were needed for forts of observation against marauding and cattle-robbing incursions, as well as for shelter in some attacks. Many wells; Hebrew, בֹּרות. These were not springs, but rather, as in the margin, tanks and cisterns. Carmel. It is not probable that this is the proper name. The translation of Carmel is "fertile field." As a proper name it occurs about twenty times, from Joshua 12:22; Joshua 15:55; Joshua 19:26; on to Amos 1:2; Amos 9:3; and perhaps Micah 7:14; and as not a proper name it occurs about twenty times also; the "fruitful field," e.g., of Isaiah 29:17 and Isaiah 32:15 shows in the Hebrew text הַכַּרְמֶל. The aspect of this verse is very picturesque, and the picturesqueness very pleasant, with its low country and pasturing cattle, its plains and their herds, its hills and their vines, all quickened into life by the mention of towers and wells, husbandmen and vine-dressers, and finished off by the home-touch that this king's partiality looked to agricultural and pastoral pursuits.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Since
כִּ֤י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

he had
הָ֣יָה (hā·yāh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

much
רַבִּ֔ים (rab·bîm)
Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 7227: Much, many, great

livestock
מִקְנֶה־ (miq·neh-)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4735: Something bought, property, livestock, acquisition

in the foothills
וּבַשְּׁפֵלָ֖ה (ū·ḇaš·šə·p̄ê·lāh)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 8219: Lowland

and in the plain,
וּבַמִּישׁ֑וֹר (ū·ḇam·mî·šō·wr)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4334: A level, a plain, as a, straightness, justice

he built
וַיִּ֨בֶן (way·yi·ḇen)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1129: To build

towers
מִגְדָּלִ֜ים (miḡ·dā·lîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4026: A tower, a rostrum, a, bed of flowers

in the desert
בַּמִּדְבָּ֗ר (bam·miḏ·bār)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4057: A pasture, a desert, speech

and dug
וַיַּחְצֹב֙ (way·yaḥ·ṣōḇ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2672: To cut, carve, to hew, split, square, quarry, engrave

many
רַּב֙ (raḇ)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 7227: Much, many, great

cisterns.
בֹּר֣וֹת (bō·rō·wṯ)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 953: A pit, cistern, well

And since
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

he was
הָיָֽה׃ (hā·yāh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

a lover
אֹהֵ֥ב (’ō·hêḇ)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 157: To have affection f

of the soil,
אֲדָמָ֖ה (’ă·ḏā·māh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 127: Ground, land

he had farmers
אִכָּרִ֣ים (’ik·kā·rîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 406: A plowman, husbandman

and vinedressers
וְכֹֽרְמִ֗ים (wə·ḵō·rə·mîm)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 3755: To tend vineyards, dress vines

in the hill country
בֶּהָרִים֙ (be·hā·rîm)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 2022: Mountain, hill, hill country

and in the fertile fields.
וּבַכַּרְמֶ֔ל (ū·ḇak·kar·mel)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3760: Carmel -- a mountain promontory on the Mediterranean, also a city near Hebron


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OT History: 2 Chronicles 26:10 He built towers in the wilderness (2 Chron. 2Ch iiCh ii ch 2 chr 2chr)
2 Chronicles 26:9
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