Uzziah Reigns in Judah
(2 Kings 14:21–22; 2 Kings 15:1–7)

1All the people of Judah (praised) took Uzziah (Azariah),a who was sixteen years old, and made him king in place of his father Amaziah (YHWH is mighty). 2Uzziah was the one who rebuilt Eloth (Elath)b and restored it to Judah (praised) after King Amaziah \after the king/c rested with his fathers.

3Uzziah (my strength is YHWH) was sixteen years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem (city of peace) fifty-two years. His mother’s name was Jecoliah (YHWH is able); she was from Jerusalem. 4And he did what was right in the eyes of the LORD {YHWH}, just as his father Amaziah (YHWH is mighty) had done. 5He sought God {Elohim} throughout the days of Zechariah (YHWH remembers), who instructed him in the fear [through the vision]d of God. And as long as he sought the LORD {YHWH}, God gave him success.

6Uzziah went out to wage war against the Philistines (immigrants), and he tore down the walls of Gath (winepress), Jabneh (building of God), and Ashdod (powerful). Then he built cities near Ashdod and among the Philistines. 7God {Elohim} helped him against the Philistines (immigrants), against the Arabs living in Gur-baal (dwelling of Baal), and against the Meunites (habitations). 8The Ammonites brought tribute to Uzziah (my strength is YHWH), and his fame spread as far as the border of Egypt (land of bondage), for he had become exceedingly powerful.

9Uzziah (my strength is YHWH) built towers in Jerusalem (city of peace) 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 {Shephelah}e 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 (my strength is YHWH) had an army ready for battle that went out to war by assigned divisions, as recorded by Jeiel (God sweeps away) the scribe and Maaseiah (work of YHWH) the officer under the direction of Hananiah (God has favored), one of the royal officers. 12The total number of family leaders of the mighty men of valor was 2,600. 13Under their authority was an army of 307,500 trained for war, a powerful force to support the king against his enemies.

14Uzziah (my strength is YHWH) supplied the entire army with shields, spears, helmets, armor, bows, and slingstones. 15And in Jerusalem (city of peace) he made skillfully designed devices to shoot (to protect those who shoot)f arrows and catapult large stones from the towers and corners. So his fame spread far and wide, for he was helped tremendously until he became powerful.

16But when Uzziah became powerful, his arrogance led to his own destruction. He was unfaithful to the LORD his God {YHWH Elohaw}, for he entered the temple of the LORD to burn incense on the altar of incense.

17Then Azariah (YHWH has helped) the priest, along with eighty brave priests of the LORD {YHWH}, went in after him. 18They took their stand against King Uzziah (my strength is YHWH) and said, “Uzziah, you have no right to offer incense to the LORD {YHWH}. Only the priests, the descendants of Aaron (light bringer), are consecrated to burn incense. Leave the sanctuary, for you have acted unfaithfully; you will not receive honor from the LORD God {YHWH Elohim}.”

19Uzziah (my strength is YHWH), with a censer in his hand to offer incense, was enraged. But while he raged against the priests in their presence in the house of the LORD {YHWH} before the altar of incense, leprosy (Leprosy)g broke out on his forehead. 20When Azariah (YHWH has helped) the chief priest and all the priests turned to him and saw his leprous forehead, they rushed him out. Indeed, he himself hurried to get out, because the LORD {YHWH} had afflicted him.

21So King Uzziah (my strength is YHWH) was a leper until the day of his death. He lived in isolation, leprous and cut off from the house of the LORD {YHWH}, while his son Jotham (YHWH is perfect) had charge of the royal palace and governed the people of the land.

22As for the rest of the acts of Uzziah (my strength is YHWH), from beginning to end, they are recorded by the prophet Isaiah (YHWH has saved) son of Amoz (strong). 23And Uzziah (my strength is YHWH) rested with his fathers and was buried near them \with his fathers/h in a field of burial that belonged to the kings, for the people said, “He was a leper.” And his son Jotham (YHWH is perfect) reigned in his place.