And Uzziah the king was a leper unto the day of his death, and dwelt in a several house, being a leper; for he was cut off from the house of the LORD: and Jotham his son was over the king's house, judging the people of the land.

2 CHRONICLES 26:21KJV
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2 Chronicles 26:21 (KJV)

What does 2 Chronicles 26:21 mean?

2 Chronicles 26:21 explains that King Uzziah lived with leprosy until his death, separated from others in a special house, because his disease made him ritually unclean and cut off from the temple. During this time, his son Jotham managed the royal palace and judged the people in his place.

This verse is part of a historical account describing the consequences of Uzziah’s actions earlier in his reign, when he unlawfully entered the temple. The chronicler is explaining to the reader why Uzziah was isolated and why his son took over royal duties even before Uzziah died. The focus is on the seriousness of being “cut off” from the house of the LORD (the temple) and the impact this had on the leadership of the nation.

The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 26:21

  • The word for “leper” is צָרַעַת (tsara‘at), which refers to a skin disease that made someone ritually unclean in ancient Israel. This explains why Uzziah had to live separately and could not participate in temple worship.
  • The phrase “cut off” uses the Hebrew word גָּזַר (gazar), which often means to separate or exclude. Here, it emphasizes Uzziah’s complete exclusion from the temple community, not just a physical separation but a spiritual one as well.
  • The word for “several house” is בֵּית הַחָפְשִׁית (beit hachofshit), meaning a house of separation or isolation. This was a special dwelling set apart for those with contagious conditions, highlighting the seriousness of Uzziah’s situation.

Why 2 Chronicles 26:21 matters

  • This verse clarifies why Uzziah, though still alive, was no longer functioning as king in public or religious life; his condition forced a transfer of authority to his son.
  • The verse highlights the importance of ritual purity and the consequences of violating sacred boundaries in ancient Israel, showing how even a king was subject to these laws.
  • It connects to the broader story of Uzziah’s pride and downfall, serving as a warning about the dangers of overstepping God’s commands, and sets the stage for Jotham’s later reign.

Where else these words appear

“several” Hebrew H2669 · used in 2 verses

  • 2 Kings 15:5 And the LORD smote the king, so that he was a leper unto the day of his death, and dwelt in a several house. And Jotham the king's son was over the house, judging the people of the land.

“off” Hebrew H1504 · used in 13 verses

  • 1 Kings 3:25 And the king said, Divide the living child in two, and give half to the one, and half to the other.
  • Job 22:28 Thou shalt also decree a thing, and it shall be established unto thee: and the light shall shine upon thy ways.
  • Isaiah 53:8 He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.

“leper” Hebrew H6879 · used in 18 verses

  • Exodus 4:6 And the LORD said furthermore unto him, Put now thine hand into thy bosom. And he put his hand into his bosom: and when he took it out, behold, his hand was leprous as snow.
  • Leviticus 22:4 What man soever of the seed of Aaron is a leper, or hath a running issue; he shall not eat of the holy things, until he be clean. And whoso toucheth any thing that is unclean by the dead, or a man whose seed goeth from him;
  • 2 Kings 5:27 The leprosy therefore of Naaman shall cleave unto thee, and unto thy seed for ever. And he went out from his presence a leper as white as snow.

“Jotham” Hebrew H3147 · used in 24 verses

  • Judges 9:5 And he went unto his father's house at Ophrah, and slew his brethren the sons of Jerubbaal, being threescore and ten persons, upon one stone: notwithstanding yet Jotham the youngest son of Jerubbaal was left; for he hid himself.
  • 2 Kings 15:32 In the second year of Pekah the son of Remaliah king of Israel began Jotham the son of Uzziah king of Judah to reign.
  • 2 Chronicles 27:1 Jotham was twenty and five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. His mother's name also was Jerushah, the daughter of Zadok.