Bible Strands
2 Chronicles 26:16
But when Uzziah became powerful, his arrogance led to his own destruction. He was unfaithful to the LORD his God, for he entered the temple of the LORD to burn incense on the altar of incense.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The Chronicler records a narrative turning point in King Uzziah’s reign, noting his condition immediately after his military success and just before Azariah’s intervention.
The words — גָּבַ֤הּ (gāḇāh) translates as “it was haughty,” describing Uzziah’s internal posture, while וַ/יִּמְעַ֖ל (wə-yimmāʿal) means “he acted unfaithfully,” marking his specific violation of divine law.
The thread — This sequence of pride preceding ruin recurs in 2 Chronicles 32:25, 2 Chronicles 25:19, and Proverbs 16:18.
Why it lands — The text states that Uzziah’s power bred arrogance and led him to commit sacrilege by burning incense. It demands the recognition that institutional authority or success never grants license to bypass sacred boundaries.
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
But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up to his destruction: for he transgressed against the Lord his God, and went into the temple of the Lord to burn incense upon the altar of incense.
Cross-references
- 2 Chronicles 32:25 But because his heart was proud, Hezekiah did not repay the favor shown to him. Therefore wrath came upon him and upon Judah and Jerusalem.
- 2 Chronicles 25:19 You have said, ‘Look, I have defeated Edom,’ and your heart has become proud and boastful. Now stay at home. Why should you stir up trouble so that you fall—you and Judah with you?”
- Proverbs 16:18 Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.
- Habakkuk 2:4 Look at the proud one; his soul is not upright—but the righteous will live by faith—
- Deuteronomy 8:14 then your heart will become proud, and you will forget the LORD your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.
- Deuteronomy 8:17 You might say in your heart, “The power and strength of my hands have made this wealth for me.”
- Colossians 2:18 Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you with speculation about what he has seen. Such a person is puffed up without basis by his unspiritual mind.
- Numbers 16:1 Now Korah son of Izhar, the son of Kohath son of Levi, along with some Reubenites—Dathan and Abiram, sons of Eliab, and On son of Peleth—conducted
- Numbers 16:7 and tomorrow you are to place fire and incense in them in the presence of the LORD. Then the man the LORD chooses will be the one who is holy. It is you sons of Levi who have taken too much upon yourselves!”
- Numbers 16:18 So each man took his censer, put fire and incense in it, and stood with Moses and Aaron at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting.