Bible Strands
2 Chronicles 26:15
And in Jerusalem he made skillfully designed devices to shoot 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.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The chronicler records King Uzziah’s military preparations in Jerusalem during the peak of his reign, immediately after detailing his equipping of the army with shields, spears, and armor. This moment captures the transition from military expansion to the pride that precedes his downfall.
The words — The Hebrew verb וַיַּעַשׂ (va.ya‘as) literally means “and he made,” paired with חִשְׁבֹּנוֹת (chishbonot), which denotes “war engines” or “contrivances.” These terms describe the mechanical devices Uzziah installed on Jerusalem’s towers to launch projectiles.
The thread — The theme of engineered devices echoes the skilled craftsmanship commanded in 2 Chronicles 2:7 and the artistic designs outlined in Exodus 31:4, while the spread of his reputation parallels the geographical reach described in Matthew 4:24. These references trace a pattern where human ingenuity and widespread fame appear alongside divine enablement.
Why it lands — The text states that Uzziah’s fame expanded because he was helped until he grew powerful, directly preceding his entry into the temple to burn incense. A reader must note that military success and divine favor are recorded as the immediate context for his subsequent transgression.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And he made in Jerusalem engines, invented by cunning men, to be on the towers and upon the bulwarks, to shoot arrows and great stones withal. And his name spread far abroad; for he was marvellously helped, till he was strong.
Cross-references
- Exodus 31:4 to design artistic works in gold, silver, and bronze,
- Matthew 4:24 News about Him spread all over Syria, and people brought to Him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering acute pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed, and He healed them.
- 2 Chronicles 2:7 Send me, therefore, a craftsman skilled in engraving to work with gold and silver, with bronze and iron, and with purple, crimson, and blue yarn. He will work with my craftsmen in Judah and Jerusalem, whom my father David provided.
- 2 Chronicles 2:14 He is the son of a woman from the daughters of Dan, and his father is a man of Tyre. He is skilled in work with gold and silver, bronze and iron, stone and wood, purple, blue, and crimson yarn, and fine linen. He is experienced in every kind of engraving and can execute any design that is given him. He will work with your craftsmen and with those of my lord, your father David.