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.

2 KINGS 15:5KJV
Know the Bible

2 Kings 15:5 (KJV)

What does 2 Kings 15:5 mean?

2 Kings 15:5 says that the LORD struck the king with leprosy, so he lived apart from others until he died, while his son Jotham managed the royal household and judged the people. This verse explains a sudden change in leadership because of the king’s illness, with his son taking over important duties.

The verse describes a real event in the history of Israel’s kings, focusing on King Azariah (also called Uzziah). Because the king became a leper (a person with a serious skin disease), he had to live in a separate house, away from the palace and public life. His son Jotham stepped in to handle the affairs of the kingdom and judge the people, even though the king was still alive.

The Hebrew behind 2 Kings 15:5

  • "smote" (נָגַע, naga‘): This word means to strike or touch, often with the sense of causing harm or affliction. Here, it emphasizes that the king’s leprosy was seen as a direct act from the LORD, not just a random illness.
  • "leper" (צָרַע, tsara‘): This word refers to someone with a severe skin disease, often translated as “leprosy.” In ancient Israel, this condition meant social separation, which explains why the king had to live in a “several house.”
  • "several" (חָפְשִׁית, chofshit): This word means “separate” or “free,” and in this context, it refers to a house set apart from others. The king’s isolation was not just physical but also social and ceremonial.
  • "judging" (שָׁפַט, shafat): This word means to govern or make decisions for the people. Jotham was not just managing the palace but also acting as a judge or ruler for the land, showing he took on real authority.

Why 2 Kings 15:5 matters

  • This verse clarifies why King Azariah was not active as king even though he was still alive; his illness forced him out of public life, and his son took over leadership.
  • The verse highlights that leprosy was not only a health issue but also had serious social and religious consequences, leading to the king’s isolation.
  • It sets up the transition of power to Jotham, which is important for understanding the flow of leadership in the following chapters.

Where else these words appear

“several” Hebrew H2669 · used in 2 verses

  • 2 Chronicles 26:21 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.

“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 15:36 Now the rest of the acts of Jotham, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?
  • 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.

“smote” Hebrew H5060 · used in 142 verses

  • Genesis 3:3 But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.
  • Numbers 19:18 And a clean person shall take hyssop, and dip it in the water, and sprinkle it upon the tent, and upon all the vessels, and upon the persons that were there, and upon him that touched a bone, or one slain, or one dead, or a grave:
  • Psalms 73:14 For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning.