Then Uzziah was wroth, and had a censer in his hand to burn incense: and while he was wroth with the priests, the leprosy even rose up in his forehead before the priests in the house of the LORD, from beside the incense altar.

2 CHRONICLES 26:19KJV
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2 Chronicles 26:19 (KJV)

What does 2 Chronicles 26:19 mean?

2 Chronicles 26:19 describes how King Uzziah, while angrily confronting the priests and holding a censer to burn incense, was suddenly struck with leprosy on his forehead in front of the priests at the altar in the temple. The verse shows a dramatic moment where Uzziah’s anger and actions are met with an immediate and visible punishment.

The setting is the temple in Jerusalem, where King Uzziah has entered to burn incense—something only priests were allowed to do. The priests confront him, and as Uzziah becomes furious (the text repeats his anger), leprosy appears on his forehead as the priests watch. This moment marks a turning point in Uzziah’s life and reign, showing the seriousness of overstepping boundaries set for worship in ancient Israel.

The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 26:19

  • "wroth" (זָעַף, za‘af): This word is used twice in the verse, emphasizing Uzziah’s intense anger. The repetition highlights how his emotional state is central to what happens next.
  • "censer" (מִקְטֶרֶת, miqṭeret): This is a vessel for burning incense, a priestly tool. Uzziah holding it shows he is taking on a role not meant for him.
  • "leprosy" (צָרַעַת, tsara‘at): This word refers to a serious skin disease, often seen as a sign of divine judgment in the Hebrew Bible. Its sudden appearance on Uzziah’s forehead is a clear, public sign of his wrongdoing.
  • "forehead" (מֵצַח, meṣaḥ): The disease appears on Uzziah’s forehead, making the punishment visible to everyone present, underlining the public nature of his error.

Why 2 Chronicles 26:19 matters

  • The verse clarifies that Uzziah’s punishment was immediate and visible, showing that his actions in the temple were a serious violation.
  • The focus on Uzziah’s anger and the public nature of his leprosy highlights the importance of respecting boundaries in worship and leadership roles in ancient Israel.
  • This verse connects to the wider story of Uzziah’s reign, marking the moment his pride led to his downfall and lifelong isolation, which is a key lesson in the surrounding chapters.

Where else these words appear

“censer” Hebrew H4730 · used in 2 verses

  • Ezekiel 8:11 And there stood before them seventy men of the ancients of the house of Israel, and in the midst of them stood Jaazaniah the son of Shaphan, with every man his censer in his hand; and a thick cloud of incense went up.

“wroth” Hebrew H2196 · used in 4 verses

  • Genesis 40:6 And Joseph came in unto them in the morning, and looked upon them, and, behold, they were sad.
  • Proverbs 19:3 The foolishness of man perverteth his way: and his heart fretteth against the LORD.
  • Daniel 1:10 And the prince of the eunuchs said unto Daniel, I fear my lord the king, who hath appointed your meat and your drink: for why should he see your faces worse liking than the children which are of your sort? then shall ye make me endanger my head to the king.

“forehead” Hebrew H4696 · used in 10 verses

  • Exodus 28:38 And it shall be upon Aaron's forehead, that Aaron may bear the iniquity of the holy things, which the children of Israel shall hallow in all their holy gifts; and it shall be always upon his forehead, that they may be accepted before the LORD.
  • Isaiah 48:4 Because I knew that thou art obstinate, and thy neck is an iron sinew, and thy brow brass;
  • Ezekiel 3:8 Behold, I have made thy face strong against their faces, and thy forehead strong against their foreheads.

“up” Hebrew H2224 · used in 17 verses

  • Genesis 32:31 And as he passed over Penuel the sun rose upon him, and he halted upon his thigh.
  • 2 Kings 3:22 And they rose up early in the morning, and the sun shone upon the water, and the Moabites saw the water on the other side as red as blood:
  • Isaiah 58:10 And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noonday: