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Hosea 6:6 For I desired mercy and not sacrifice;
and the knowledge of God more than your burnt offerings.
Bible Chapter Studies
1A0II CHRONICLES CHAPTER 26
Welcome to the last year of eigtht century B.C., the year is 701B.C., and we find the Nation of the House of Israel divided into two separate Nations: The House of Israel consisting of ten Tribes—Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulun, Ephraim and Manasseh—occupying the Northern territories; and the House of Judah which comprises two Tribes—Judah and Benjamin—and occupying the southern territories. At present, the House of Israel has as it’s king, king Jeroboam (II), and the House of Judah has as it’s king, king Uzziah. As we are reading in the The Books of the Chronicles, we are reading things in the Esoteric, meaning, we are reading things from Father’s point of view or perspective, or in other words, events viewed from the Divine standpoint, and as seen and understood by the spiritual mind, to take that further, you could say, from the moral aspect, and you could go even further and say, for those with the “eyes to see.” The reason Father split the Nation into two separate Nations was because of the actions of Israel’s third man-king, David’s son, Solomon—as can be read in I Kings 11:1-11—taking unto himself many foreign wives, served their false gods and idols, built altars for those false gods and idols on Father’s Holy mountain, turned his back on Father, which angered Father and caused Father to tell him that He was splitting the Nation into two separate Nations, but not until Solomon returned Home to Him and his son Rehoboam took over the reign and rule of the Nation.
We’ll see that this chapter begins by stating, “Then all the people of Judah…,” meaning that this chapter of Chronicles is complementary to II Kings 14:21 and II Kings 15:1-7. Uzziah, otherwise known in The Books of the Kings as Azariah, as we read in II Kings 14:21, has been made king over the House of Judah. Uzziah will begin his reign at the tender age of 16 when the People make him king. His father Amaziah was killed in the year 714B.C., thus there was an interregnum, in other words, a 13 year gap between the time Amaziah died, and when the people “made” his son king. Uzziah reigned for fifty two years; ruling from approximately 701 to 649B.C..
Today—like as the People in these times we’re reading of in this Book of the Chronicles—our whole nation is turning to all sorts of evil, man-made customs and traditions, and even allowing disgusting practices such as abortion, sodomy, and other traditions to come into the kurch houses. Father will deal with those who are allowing this, and leading His children to stray from His instructions. His elect know His Word and will stand their ground and not allow these forms to enter into their lives.
With that introduction being said, let’s go to Father and ask Him for His Blessings on our Study of His Word: “ Father, I come to You right now and ask that You Oh LORD Lead me and Guide me as I try and teach Your Word, don’t allow me to mis-teach or mis-lead Your Children. We, Father, also come to You as a group who desire to Learn Your Word, to thank You for inviting us to Your table in order that we might be able to partake of and receive Your Spiritual Meat, and Father, as we prepare to dine on the sustenance which sustains our inner man, we ask that You Oh LORD open our ears and eyes, that we might be able to hear and see your Truths, open our hearts and minds and prepare us in order that we may receive Your Truth. We Pray for Your Understanding of Your Word, we seek Your Knowledge in Your Word, and most importantly Father, we Pray for and desire Your Wisdom from Your Word, in Jesus’ Precious name we Pray, thank You Father, Amen.”
I Chronicles 10:1-II Chronicles 36:21
HISTORY (UP TO THE CAPTIVITY.)
(Division.)
11:1-II Chronicles 36:21 THE HOUSE
of DAVID. ESTABLISHED. (Division.)
26:1-23 UZZIAH. (Introversion and Alternation.)
26:1-3 Introduction.
1A1
II Chronicles 26:1 Then all the People of Judah (celebrated; and, praised, celebrated) (yeh-hoo-dawי) took Uzziah (strength of YAH; or, strength of YHVH) (Ooz-zee-yawי-hoo), who was sixteen years old, and made him king in the room of his father Amaziah (strength of YAH; and, the strength of YHVH) (am-ats-yawי-hoo). —> Why is Uzziah king? Because, we read in II Chronicles 25:14-16 the following: II Chronicles 25:14 Now it came to pass, after that Amaziah was come from the slaughter of the Edomites, that he brought the gods of the children of Seir, and set them up to be his gods, and bowed down himself before them, and burned incense unto them. [25:15] Wherefore the anger of the LORD was kindled against Amaziah, and He sent unto him a prophet, which said unto him, “Why hast thou sought after the gods of the people, which could not deliver their own people out of thine hand?” [25:16] And it came to pass, as he talked with him, that the king said unto him, “Art thou made of the king’s counsel? forbear; why shouldest thou be smitten?” Then the prophet forbare, and said, “I know that God hath determined to destroy thee, because thou hast done this, and hast not hearkened unto my counsel.” —> We read as the Chapter closes, that the People of Judah had conspired against Uzziah’s father Amaziah and killed him. So, now that they have him out of the way, there has been a thirteen year interregnum, and Uzziah has been raised without the influence of his father, they have set him over them to rule. Will he fare any better than his father had? The answer is, is that he will indeed begin his reign doing very well, listening to and obeying Father; however, by the end of the chapter and his life, he actually does worse than his father, and like his father, he too will pay the price for his actions. Though, unlike his father Amaziah, Father Himself will dole out Uzziah’s punishment.
Like our Uzziah here, many years previous to this time, one of Levi’s sons, Kohath, also had a son who was known by both Uzziah and Azariah.
Judah=For a detailed description of Judah, including the Territories history, the etymology of the name, the Strong’s Concordance definition of the name, and the Smith’s Bible Dictionary information, click here.
Uzziah
Uzziah=Uzziah was the son of king Amaziah and his wife Jecholiah, he was the ninth king of the Nation of the House of Judah, he was 16 years old when he was made king, and he reigned and ruled over the Nation for 52 years—701B.C.-649B.C.. He, like his father, started off his reign “doing that which was right in the sight of the LORD.” What did he do to do so? So long as he listened to Zechariah “who had understanding in the visions of God: and as long as he sought the LORD, God made him to prosper.” But, sadly, he was a man, and like many, many men, once he became strong—because of Father—his ego took over and he forsook Father by failing to remove the high places where the people continued to go and hold their orgies and also offer up burnt sacrifices to other false gods; and more importantly, he decided that he didn’t need the Priests to offer sacrifices to Father, he’d just march his own keister right into Father’s Temple, right into the Sanctuary where only the High Priest was allowed once a year, and he offered sacrifices himself. This completely and totally angered Father, and for it, Father smote him with leprosy so that he was a leper and had to be hospitalized unto the day of his death, and his son Jotham had to rule over the nation, judging the people in his fathers place. † For the etymology of the name Uzziah, we read the following in Abarim Publications, “The name Uzziah consists of two components, the latter one being appellative יה (Yah) = יהו (Yahu) = יו (Yu), which in turn are abbreviated forms of the Tetragrammaton; the name of the Lord: YHVH or YEHOVAH. The first part of the name Uzziah comes from the Hebrew verb עזז ss(יazaz), generally meaning to be strong: For a meaning of the name Uzziah, Brown Driver Briggs (BDB) Theological Dictionary and New Open Bible Study Edition (NOBSE) Study Bible Name List read My Strength Is Yahveh. Jones’ Dictionary of Old Testament Proper Names reads Strength Of The Lord.. † Now from the Strong’s Concordance, where we find that it is Hebrew word number: H5818, - עֻזִּיָּה, or ssעֻזִּיָּהוּ, - ‛ûzzı̂yâh, or ‛ûzzı̂yâhû, pronounced - ooz-zee-yawי or ooz-zee-yawי-hoo, and means: From H5797 and H3050; strength of YAH; Uzzijah, the name of five Israelites: - Uzziah. Total KJV occurrences: 27.. † Now from the Smith’s Bible Dictionary, where we read: “Strength of YHVH. King of Judah. In some passages his name appears in the lengthened form Azariah. After the murder of Amaziah, his son Uzziah was chosen by the people, at the age of sixteen, to occupy the vacant throne; and for the greater part of his long reign of fifty-two years he lived in the fear of God, and showed himself a wise, active, and pious ruler. He never deserted the worship of the true God, and was much influenced by Zechariah, a prophet who is mentioned only in connection with him, II Chronicles 26:5. So the southern kingdom was raised to a condition of prosperity which it had not known since the death of Solomon. The end of Uzziah was less prosperous than his beginning. Elated with his splendid career, he determined to burn incense on the altar of God, but was opposed by the high priest Azariah and eighty others, see Exodus 30:7,8; Numbers 16:40; 18:7. The king was enraged by their resistance, and, as he pressed forward with his censor, was suddenly smitten with leprosy. This lawless attempt to burn incense was the only exception to the excellence of his administration, II Chronicles 27:2. Uzziah was buried “with his fathers,” yet apparently not actually in the royal sepulchres, II Chronicles 26:23. During his reign a great earthquake occurred, Amos 1:1; Zechariah 14:5.”.
Amaziah=For a detailed description of Amaziah, including his history, the etymology of his name, the Strong’s Concordance definition of his name, and the Smith’s Bible Dictionary information, click here.
1A2
II Chronicles 26:2 He built Eloth (trees, or a grove; and, a grove) (ay-lothי, ay-lathי) (Eloth and Elath are one in the same), and restored it to Judah, after that the king slept with his fathers. —> As I pointed out while reading the verse, Eloth and Elath are one in the same—the reason I do point this out is because, we read here in II Chronicles 25:2 it is called Eloth, however in II Kings 14:22 discussing the same incident, it is called Elath—and it was a sea port located on the Red Sea in the Arabian gulf coast, which had been in the hand of the Edomites whom Uzziah’s father had defeated in battle. So, what this is saying, is that Uzziah picked up where his father had left off in subjecting the Edomites to his rule, which then gave Judah access to the Red Sea through this port on the Arabian Gulf Coast.
Elath
Eloth=Called Elath in I Kings 9:26; II Kings 14:22; and II Kings 16:6; and Eloth in II Chronicles 8:17 and II Chronicles 26:2. Eloth was a sea port on the Red Sea in the Arabian Gulf; it was within the confines of the territory of Edom. It is named along with Ezion-geber in the account of our forefathers journey round the land of Edom—Deuteronomy 2:8. It appears as Ailath, and Alion in the Septuagint; and Biblical historian Josephus has it as Eloth—Antiquity of the Jews, Book 8, Chapter 6, 4. Elath\Eloth means “trees” or “grove,” and the name, “grove,” was doubtless derived from the presence of certain sacred trees. When king David conquered Edom, he put garrisons all throughout Edom, and Elath\Eloth passed into the hands of Israel—II Samuel 8:14. It was a position of great importance in connection with the trade with South Arabia. Here the merchant fleets of both king Solomon and king Jehoshaphat were fitted out, and hence, they sailed—I Kings 9:26; and II Chronicles 8:17. In the reign of Jehoram, son of Jehoshaphat, the Edomites revolted from under the dominion of Judah—II Kings 8:20, and II Chronicles 21:8, but under Amaziah and Uzziah, kings of the House of Judah, it was again subdued and brought under control—II Kings 14:7,10,22. Finally, during the reign of Remaliah, king of Israel, it had fallen into the hands of the Syrians—II Kings 16:6. † For the etymology of the name Eloth, we read the following in Abarim Publications, “The name Elath or Eloth is possibly an ancient version of the more modern (Biblically spoken) Hebrew word אלה ss(יalla), meaning terebinth. But it may also be a proper feminine plural of the same word: For a meaning of the name Elath, Jones’ Dictionary of Old Testament Proper Names goes with the plural option and reads Terebinths. Brown Driver Briggs (BDB) Theological Dictionary, complete as always, offers both possibilities: Lofty Tree or Trees collectively. New Open Bible Study Edition (NOBSE) Study Bible Name List doesn’t translate this name, strangely enough.”. † Now from the Strong’s Concordance, where we find that it is Hebrew word number: H359, - אֵילוֹת, or ssאֵילַת, - 'êylôth, or 'êylath, pronounced - ay-lothי or ay-lathי, and means: From H352; trees or a grove (that is, palms); Eloth or Elath, a place on the Red Sea: - Elath, Eloth. Total KJV occurrences: 8.. † Now from the Smith’s Bible Dictionary, where we read: “A grove. The name of a town of the land of Edom, commonly mentioned with Ezion-geber, and situated at the head of the Arabian Gulf, which was thence called the Elanitic Gulf. It first occurs in the account of the wanderings, Deuteronomy 2:8, and in later times must have come under the rule of David II samuel 8:14. We find the place named again in connection with Solomon’s navy I Kings 9:26, with which we can compare with II Chronicles 8:17. In the Roman period it became a frontier town of the south and the residence of a Christian bishop. The Arabic name is Eyleh, and palm groves still exist there, after which it was named.”.
1A3
II Chronicles 26:3 Sixteen years old was Uzziah when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty and two years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name also was Jecoliah (YAH will enable; and, strong through YHVH) (Yek-ee-leh-yawי-hoo) of Jerusalem. —> Uzziah ruled over the Nation of the House of Judah for 52 years. There was only 1 other king who ruled over either of the two Houses longer, and that was king Manasseh of Judah, of who we’ll be reading of shortly. He ruled for 55 years, and he was the absolute worse king to rule over the House of Judah; you could say that he was the “Ahab of the House of Judah.”
We see a difference in spelling of Uzziah’s mother’s name between here and II Kings 15:2, as I said, the difference is in spelling only, as, in II Kings 15:2 an “h” is added after the letter “c,” however, according to the Strong’s Concordance, her name has the same Strong’s Hebrew number and the same meaning. Therefore, we can look at her name being much like Thomas being shortened to Tom, same person, same name, just a shortened, condensed version of it, and of no consequence.
Jecoliah
Jecoliah=Jecoliah, also spelled Jecholiah in II Kings 15:2, was the wife of Amaziah, king of the House of Judah, and mother to king Uzziah—; II Kings 15:13,13,30,32,34; and II Chronicles 26:3—also spelled Azariah—II Kings 14:21; II Kings 15:1,6,7,8,17,23,27. She is only mentioned twice in Father’s Word, and only mentioned as being Uzziah or Azariah’s mother and being from Jerusalem. We know nothing else of the woman. † For the etymology of the name Jecoliah, we read the following in Abarim Publications, “The name Jecoliah consists of two elements, the first part being יה (Yah) = יהו (Yahu) = יו (Yu), which in turn are abbreviated forms of the Tetragrammaton יהוה, YHVH, or Yahveh, the sacred name of our Father. The first part of the name Jecoliah comes from the verb יכל (yakol) meaning to be able or prevail: These name means something like The Lord’s Ability, or Yah Will Prevail, or Prevalence Due To God.
The variation in this name may not have to do with inaccuracy or inconsistency, but rather with the rich array of words that any Hebrew audience would have certainly been reminded of: For a meaning of the name Jecoliah, New Open Bible Study Edition (NOBSE) Study Bible Name List reads Yahveh Will able,. Jones’ Dictionary of Old Testament Proper Names reads Made Strong Of The Lord. Brown Driver Brigs (BDB) Theological Dictionary reads Yah Hath Been Able. Taken from the כלל (kalal) cluster of words, our name could also be interpreted to mean Perfection Of Yah or Yah Completes. BDB makes mention of an unearthed Sabean name יבלאל, which is obviously similar to our name Jecoliah, except that the Yah-part is now El.”. † Now from the Strong’s Concordance, where we find that it is Hebrew word number: H3203, - יְכָלְיָה, ssיְכָלְיָהוּ,ss or יְכִילְיָה, - yekolyâh, - yekolyâhû, or yekı̂yleyâh, pronounced - yek-ol-yawbי(-hoo) or yek-ee-leh-yawי, and means: From H3201 and H3050; YAH will enable; Jekoljah or Jekiljah, an Israelitess: - Jecholiah, Jecoliah. Total KJV occurrences: 2.. † Now from the Smith’s Bible Dictionary, where we read: “Strong through YAH. Wife of Amaziah king of Judah, and mother of Azariah or Uzziah his successor II Kings 15:2.”.
26:4 Personal, well-doing.
1A4
II Chronicles 26:4 And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father Amaziah did. —> This is exactly as II Kings 15:3 states, that Uzziah—like his father Amaziah had—began his reign being very pleasing to Father YHVH. The one thing he did not do was, he didn’t remove the high places. This beginning his reign being pleasing to Father and then going south, so to speak, was a common trend with the majority of the kings of both Houses. They began their reign being pleasing to Father; however, once comfortable and secure in their position, they became lifted up in their hearts and then forsook Father, depending on themselves and not Father—much like satan had in the First Earth Age when—as can be read in Ezekiel 28—Father elevated him to the position of “Protector of Father’s Mercy Seat,” then he too became lifted up in his heart and turned from Father.
…that which was right…=This phrase is first used in conjunction with Abijah—called Abijam in I Kings 15—but, actually speaking about David, and Abijah not walking as David, as we can read of in I Kings 15:1-5. This phrase is used in both the positive and the negative sense: in the positive—i.e.,doing that which was right in the sight of the LORD— is stated 18 times in Father’s Word: the example I cited concerning David above; concerning Asa in I Kings 15:11 and II Chronicles 14:2; concerning Jehoshaphat in I Kings 22:43 and II Chronicles 20:32; concerning Jehu in II Kings 10:30; concerning Jehoash—also called Joash—in II Kings 12:2 and II Chronicles 24:2, concerning Amaziah in II Kings 14:3 and II Chronicles 25:2; concerning Azariah—also called Uzziah—in II Kings 15:3 and II Chronicles 26:4; concerning Jotham in II Kings 15:34 and II Chronicles 27:2; concerning Hezekiah in II Kings 18:3 and II Chronicles 29:2; concerning Josiah in II Kings 22:2 and II Chronicles 34:2; conversely, it was said of man, “every man did that which was right in their own eyes” in Judges 17:6 and Judges 21:25, concerning Jeroboam, “…thou hast not been as My servant David, who kept My commandments, and who followed Me with all his heart, to do that only which was right in Mine eyes” in I Kings 14:8; and finally, of Ahaz, “…and did not that which was right in the sight of the LORD his God…” in II Kings 16:2 and II Chronicles 28:1.
The L ORD=This Title of Father as used here in this verse, is Father in His Role of יְהֹוָה, YHVH—from Dr. Bullinger’s Companion Bible Appendices: YHVH, YAHVEH, or YEHOVAH—the sacred and personal name of Father. While Elohim is God as the Creator of all things, YEHOVAH is the same God in covenant relation to those whom He has created (compare II Chronicles 18:31). YEHOVAH means the Eternal, the Immutable One, He Who WAS, and IS, and IS TO COME. The Divine definition is given in Genesis 21:33. He is especially, therefore, the God of Israel; and the God of those who are redeemed, and are thus now “in Christ”. We can say “My God,” but not “My YEHOVAH,” for YEHOVAH is “MY God.”.
26:5 Personal, well-doing.
1A5
II Chronicles 26:5 And he sought God in the days of Zechariah (YAH has remembered; and, YHVH is renowned or remembered) (zek-ar-yawי-hoo), who had understanding in the visions of God: and as long as he sought the LORD, God made him to prosper. —> This Zechariah is not the prophet whom has a Book in the Minor Prophets named after him; but, just like young Joash before him, so long as there was a strong Priest leading him, Uzziah did well and sought Father, and obeyed Father’s Commandments, Judgments, Laws, Ordinances and Statutes; and ruled and judged the Nation the same. However, once that Priest had returned Home to Father, it was then that the king veered off course.
Did you catch that so long as Uzziah met Father’s conditions of obeying Him and living righteously, Father Blessed him richly and made him to prosper? It is the same for us today brethren, Father doesn’t change; we must meet His conditions in order for us to prosper.
Zechariah=Other than what is written of this Zechariah in II Chronicles 26:5; i.e., “he had understanding in the visions of God,” there is nothing else written in Father’s Word. Thus we know nothing of the man, we can pretty much assume that he was a Levite; but that doesn’t tell us which family he descended from. † For the etymology of the name Zechariah, we read the following in Abarim Publications: “The name Zechariah consists of two parts. The final bit is יה, the abbreviated form of the Name of the Lord: יהוה (YHVH). The first segment of the name Zechariah comes from the verb זכר (zakar), meaning to think about or meditate upon: The name Zechariah literally means Yah Remembers or Remembrance of Yah or even Pondering Yahveh. For a meaning of the name Zechariah, New Open Bible Study Edition (NOBSE) Study Bible Name List reads Yahveh Remembers and Jones’ Dictionary of Old Testament Proper Names has Remembered Of The Lord. But following zakar’s meaning of male, we find for the name Zechariah a secondary meaning of Yah’s Male. And that isn’t all that weird considering that the name of the archangel Gabriel means God’s Guy.”. † Now from the Strong’s Concordance, where we find that it is Hebrew word number: H2148, - זְכַרְיָה,ss or זְכַרְיָהוּ, - zekaryâh or zekaryâhû, pronounced - zek-ar-yawי or zek-ar-yawי-hoo, and means: From H2142 and H3050; YAH has remembered; Zecarjah, the name of twenty nine Israelites: - Zachariah, Zechariah. Total KJV occurrences: 43.. † Now from the Smith’s Bible Dictionary, where we read: “YAH is renowned or YAH is remembered. A prophet in the reign of Uzziah who appears to have acted as the king's counsellor, but of whom nothing is known II Chronicles 26:5..”.
God=As used in this verse, this is אלהים, ELOHIM—from Dr. Bullinger’s Companion Bible Appendices,: ELOHIM—the genus God, in other words, Father in His role of Creator of all things. From Dr. Bullinger’s Companion Bible, Appendix 4: “ELOHIM occurs 2,700 times. Its first occurrence connects it with creation, and gives it its essential meaning as the Creator. It indicates His relation to mankind as His creatures (see note on II Chronicles 18:31, where it stands in contrast with YEHOVAH as indicating covenant relationship). ELOHIM is God the Son, the living “WORD” with creature form to create (John 1:1; Colossians 1:15-17; Revelation 3:14); and later, with human form to redeem (John 1:14). “Begotten of His Father before all worlds; born of His mother, in the world.” In this creature form He appeared to the Patriarchs, a form not temporarily assumed.”. Dr. Bullinger further notes in his Companion notes to this verse, that “(with Art.) = the [true] God.”.
26:6 Events. Foreign wars.
1A6
II Chronicles 26:6 And he went forth and warred against the Philistines (rolling; that is, migratory; or, immigrants) (pel-ehי-sheth) , and brake down the wall of Gath (a wine press; and, a wine press) (Gath), and the wall of Jabneh (a building; and, building of YHVH) (Yab-nehי), and the wall of Ashdod (ravager; and, a stronghold) (ash-dodeי), and built cities about Ashdod, and among the Philistines. —> Uzziah extended his kingdom, much as David and Solomon had; again, it was Father Who was making him to prosper. He warred against Israel’s long-time enemy, the Philistines, defeating them in all their own cities including two of the five major cities of the Philistines: Ashdod and Gath. After defeating each of these cities, Uzziah built fortresses right next to each of them in order to keep Judah safe and secure for many years in the future.
Ashdod and Gath were both the first two cities Father had struck with emerods after our forefathers had taken His Ark to the front of the battlefield—without first seeking Him as to whether they should take His Ark with them—when they warred against the Philistines during the time of Samuel—I Samuel 5. Gath if you’ll recall, was also the home of the giant Goliath.
Philistines
Philistines=The Philistines were adamic peoples as we read in Genesis 10:14, which reads: Genesis 10:14 And Pathrusim, and Casluhim, (out of whom came Philistim,) and Caphtorim. It was Noah who begat Ham, who begat Cush, on down to either Casluhim or Caphtorim, who then begat Philistim, of whom became the Philistines. The Philistines were the chief rival and primary enemy of our forefathers. They warred against them more than any other nation or peoples. Most of those battles our forefathers won; but, there were some battles they also lost. On one such occasion that they lost, the Philistines were able to capture Father’s Ark. Why did He allow this to happen? Because our forefathers had not first sought Him before taking His Ark into battle with them. The Philistines, thinking they finally had the upper-hand for capturing Father’s Ark, brought it back to Ashdod and set It in the “house of dagon.” The next morning when the Philistines went to check on their prized possession, they found that their god dagon was fallen upon his face to the ground before Father’s Ark. So, they set the image of their idol back upon it’s feet, and the next day when they again came to check on things, this time they found that dagon was again fallen upon his face to the ground before Father’s Ark; and the head of dagon and both the palms of his hands were cut off upon the threshold; only the stump of dagon was left to him. This time, the Philistines left things as they were in the “house of dagon” for, they were now afraid. Father wasn’t done with them yet for having His Ark in their possession, He now smote every Philistine in the city where His Ark was, with deep, painful hemorrhoids, and a plague of mice. These hemorrhoids were so bad, that, everyone asked each other if they too were now afflicted with this ailment? When they discovered that, yes, everybody in the city was afflicted, they quickly removed Father’s Ark from among them, by taking it to another one of the Philistine cities. This city too suffered the affliction of the hemorrhoids and plague of mice, and they too quickly took Father’s Ark to another of the Philistine cities. This happened 3 more times, and finally the Philistines had had enough. So, they called for a meeting of all the Philistine lords to discuss what to do with Father’s Ark. They decided that it would be best to return it back to it’s rightful owner, our forefathers. But, before doing so, they decided that they would return it with a trespass offering. That trespass offering were images of 5 golden hemorrhoids and 5 golden mice, one hemorrhoid and mouse for each of the 5 Philistine cities which were afflicted. † For the etymology of the name Philistines, we read the following in Abarim Publications: “The etymology of the word\name Philistines seems to be related to the verb פלש (palash), denoting the expression of intense grief: It’s ultimately unclear whether the Philistines were named for the grief they caused or perhaps for their ability to express their own grief (like a kind of ancient blues). The Philistines were, after all, products of the great people’s movements, and they were driven off Caphtor (Jeremiah 47:4) and subsequently out of Egypt. In fact, their history is not all that different from Israel’s, and they may very well have been known as The Mourners, or Causing To Mourning. But then, the name of the Philistines might also reflect the more fundamental or broader Semitic meaning of the verb פלש, that of digging or breaking through. As a nation, the Philistines may have been known as the Steamrollers. For a meaning of the name Palestine, Jones’ Dictionary of Old Testament Proper Names goes with the verb mentioned above, focuses on its meaning of to roll around, and forgivingly translates Palestine with The Land Of Wanderers. New Open Bible Study Edition (NOBSE) Study Bible Name List does not translate either name Palestine or Philistine.”. † Now from the Strong’s Concordance, where we find that it is Hebrew word number: H6430, - פּלשׁתּי, - pelishtı̂y, pronounced - pel-ish-tı̂yי, and means: Patrial from H6429; rolling; that is, migratory; a Pelishtite or inhabitant of Pelesheth: - Philistine. Total KJV occurrences: 288.. † Now from the Smith’s Bible Dictionary, where we read:—before I get into Dr. Smith’s description of the Philistines, know this brethren: I emphatically disagree with Dr. Smith’s statement, which states: “The origin of the Philistines is nowhere expressly stated in the Bible.,” for, as I mentioned at the beginning of this description of the Philistines, we can read in Genesis 10:14, Father’s Word does indeed expressly state the origin of the Philistines, they are descended from Casluhim, who was descended from Mizraim—Genesis 10:13-14—who was descended from Ham—Genesis 10:6—who was descended from Noah—“immigrants. The origin of the Philistines is nowhere expressly stated in the Bible; but, as the prophets describe them as “the Philistines-from Caphtor” Amos 9:7, and “the remnant of the maritime district of Caphtor” Jeremiah 47:4 it is prima facie probable that they were the Caphtorim which came out of Caphtor” who expelled the Avim from their territory and occupied it; in their place, (Deuteronomy 2:23) and that these again were the Caphtorim mentioned in the Mosaic genealogical table among the descendants of Mizraim Genesis 10:14. It has been generally assumed that Caphtor represents Crete, and that the Philistines migrated from that island, either directly or through Egypt, into Palestine. But the name Caphtor is more probably identified with the Egyptian Coptos. [CAPHTOR] History. — The Philistines must have settled in the land of Canaan before the time of Abraham; for they are noticed in his day as a pastoral tribe in the neighborhood of Gerur Genesis 21:32,34; 26:1,8. Between the times of Abraham and Joshua the Philistines had changed their quarters, and had advanced northward into the plain of Philistia. The Philistines had at an early period attained proficiency in the arts of peace. Their wealth was abundant Judges 16:5,19, and they appear in all respects to have been a prosperous people. Possessed of such elements of power, they had attained in the time of the judges an important position among eastern nations. About B.C. 1200 we find them engaged in successful war with the Sidonians. Justin xviii. 3. The territory of the Philistines having been once occupied by the Canaanites, formed a portion of the promised land, and was assigned the tribe of Judah Joshua 15:2,12,45-47. No portion of it, however, was conquered in the lifetime of Joshua Joshua 13:2, and even after his death no permanent conquest was effected Judges 3:3, though we are informed that the three cities of Gaza, Ashkelon and Ekron were taken Judges 1:18. The Philistines soon recovered these, and commenced an aggressive policy against the Israelites, by which they gained a complete ascendancy over them. Individual heroes were raised up from time to time, such as Shamgar the son of Anath Judges 3:31, and still more Samson, Judges 13-16, but neither of these men succeeded in permanently throwing off the yoke. The Israelites attributed their past weakness to their want, of unity, and they desired a king, with the special object of leading them against the foe I Samuel 8:20. Saul threw off the yoke; and the Philistines were defeated with great slaughter at Geba I Samuel 13:3. They made no attempt to regain their supremacy for about twenty-five years, and the scene of the next contest shows the altered strength of the two parties. It was no longer in the central country, but in a ravine leading down to the Philistine plain, the valley of Elah, the position of which is about 14 miles southwest of Jerusalem. On this occasion the prowess of young David secured success to Israel, and the foe was pursued to the gates of Gath and Ekron I Samuel 17:1. ... The power of the Philistines was, however, still intact on their own territory. The border warfare was continued. The scene of the next conflict was far to the north, in the valley of Esdraelon. The battle on this occasion proved disastrous to the Israelites; Saul himself perished, and the Philistines penetrated across the Jordan and occupied the, forsaken cities I Samuel 31:1-7. On the appointment of David to be king, he twice attacked them, and on each occasion with signal success, in the first case capturing their images, in the second pursuing them “from Geba until thou come to Gazer” II Samuel 5:17-25; I Chronicles 14:8-16. Henceforth the Israelites appear as the aggressors. About seven years after the defeat at Rephaim, David, who had now consolidated his power, attacked them on their own soil end took Gath with its dependencies. The whole of Philistine was included in Solomon's empire. Later when the Philistines, joined by the Syrians and Assyrians, made war on the kingdom of Israel, Hezekiah formed an alliance with the Egyptians, as a counterpoise to the Assyrians, and the possession of Philistia became henceforth the turning-point of the struggle between the two great empires of the East. The Assyrians under Tartan, the general of Sargon, made an expedition against Egypt, and took Ashdod, as the key of that country Isaiah 20:1,4,5. Under Senacherib, Philistia was again the scene of important operations. The Assyrian supremacy was restored by Esarhaddon, and it seems probable that the Assyrians retained their hold on Ashdod until its capture, after a long siege, by Psammetichus. It was about this time that Philistia was traversed by vast Scythian horde on their way to Egypt. The Egyptian ascendancy was not as yet re-established, for we find the next king, Necho, compelled to besiege Gaza on his return from the battle of Megiddo. After the death of Necho the contest was renewed between the Egyptians and the Chaldeans under Nebuchadnezzar, and the result was specially disastrous to the Philistines. The “old hatred” that the Philistines bore to the Jews was exhibited in acts of hostility at the time of the Babylonish captivity Ezekiel 25:15-17, but on the return this was somewhat abated, for some of the Jews married Philistine women, to the great scandal of their rulers Nehemiah 13:23,24. From this time the history of Philistia is absorbed in the struggles of the neighboring kingdoms. The latest notices of the Philistines as a nation occur in 1 Maccabees 3-5. Institutions, religion, etc. — With regard to the institutions of the Philistines our information is very scanty, The five chief cities had, as early as the days of Joshua, constituted themselves into a confederacy, restricted however, in all probability, to matters of offence and defense. Each was under the government of a prince Joshua 13:3; Judges 3:3, etc.; I Samuel 18:30; 29:6 and each possessed its own territory. The Philistines appear to have been deeply imbued with superstition: they carried their idols with them on their campaigns II Samuel 5:21, and proclaimed their victories in their presence I Samuel 31:9. The gods whom they chiefly worshipped were Dagon Judges 16:23; I samuel 5:3-5; I Chronicles 10:10, 1 Maccabees 10:83, Ashtaroth I Samuel 31:10, Herod. 1:105, and Baalzebub II Kings 1:2-6.”.
Gath
Gath=Gath was one of the five royal cities—along with Ashdod, Ashkelon, Ekron and Avva—of our forefathers’ enemies: the Philistines. This also made it one of the five cities which received Father’s judgment whereby all the people of the city came down with a bad case of emerods and the plague of mice for their participation of holding onto Father’s Ark when the Philistines had captured It from our forefathers when they took It into battle with them without first seeking Father and asking Him IF they could do so. Gath was not taken by Joshua when our forefathers moved into the Promised Land, and, although many conflicts took place between our forefathers and the people of Gath, it does not seem to have been captured until the time of David II Samuel 8:1 and it’s parallel Book, Chapter and Verse II Chronicles 18:1. It was considered famous because it was the home of the giant Goliath whom David slew in II Samuel 17:4, and other giants of the same race II Samuel 21:18-22. † For the etymology of the name Gath, we read the following in Abarim Publications: “The name Gath comes from an assumed root יגן and is identical to the noun גת (gat), meaning winepress: For a meaning of the name Gath, all consulted sources read Wine-Press.”. † Now from the Strong’s Concordance, where we find that it is Hebrew word number: H1661, - גַּת, - gath, pronounced - Gath, and means: The same as H1660; (in the sense of treading out grapes) a wine-press; Gath, a Philistine city: - Gath. Total KJV occurrences: 33.. † Now from the Smith’s Bible Dictionary, where we read: “A winepress . One of the five royal cities of the Philistines Joshua 13:3; I Samuel 6:17; and the native place of the giant Goliath I Samuel 17:4,23. It probably stood upon the conspicuous hill now called Tell-es-Safieh, upon the side of the plain of Philistia, at the foot of the mountains of Judah; 10 miles east of Ashdod, and about the same distance south by east of Ekron. It is irregular in form, and about 200 feet high. Gath occupied a strong position II Chronicles 11:8, on the border of Judah and Philistia I Samuel 21:10; I Chronicles 18:1, and from its strength and resources forming the key of both countries, it was the scene of frequent struggles, and was often captured and recaptured II Kings 12:17; II Chronicles 11:8; 26:6; and Amos 6:2. The ravages of war to which Gath was exposed appear to have destroyed it at a comparatively early period, as it is not mentioned among the other royal cities by the later prophets Zephaniah 2:4; Zechariah 9:5,6. It is familiar to the Bible student as the scene of one of the most romantic incidents in the life of King David I Samuel 21:10-15.”.
Jabneh
Jabneh=Also called Jabneel, or you could say that since Jabneel is mentioned first in Father’s Word, and since Jabneh is only mentioned once, Jabneel may have been the actual name of the town and either one of the scribes transcribed it incorrectly; or, maybe somebody mis-pronounced it. In either case Jabneh was west of Gezer, north west of Gath, and south west of Lod. Upon Father leading our forefathers into the Promised Land—Joshua 15—Jabneh was given to the Tribe of Judah as an inheritance, it was on the north west border near to the Mediterranean Sea. We only read of Jabneh one other time in Father’s Word and that is as king Uzziah is engaging in war agaisnt the Philistines in II Chronicles 26:6 † For the etymology of the name Jabneh, we read the following in Abarim Publications: “The name Jabneel consists of two elements, the final one being אל (El), the common abbreviation of Elohim, which is the Hebrew word for God: The first part of our name is an active form of the verb בנה (bana), meaning to build: For a meaning of the name Jabneel, New Open Bible Study Edition (NOBSE) Study Bible Name List reads Built Of God. Jones’ Dictionary of Old Testament Proper Names proposes Caused To Be Built Of God. And Brown Driver Briggs (BDB) Theological Dictionary has El Causes To Build.”. † Now from the Strong’s Concordance where we find that it is Hebrew word number: H2996, - יַבְנֶה, - yabneh, - , pronounced - yab-nehי, and means: From H1129; a building; Jabneh, a place in Palestine: - Jabneh. Total KJV occurrences: 1.. † Now from the Smith’s Bible Dictionary, where we read: “Building of God. II Chronicles 26:6. See Jabneel. One of the points on the northern boundary of Judah, not quite at the sea, though near it, Joshua 15:11. There is no sign, however, of its ever having been occupied by Judah. Josephus attributes it to the Danites. There was a constant struggle going on between that tribe and the Philistines for the possession of all the places in the lowland plains, and it is not surprising that the next time we meet with Jabneel it should be in the hands of the latter, II Chronicles 26:6. Uzziah dispossessed them of it and demolished its fortifications. Called also Jabneh. At the time of the fall of Jerusalem, Jabneh was one of the most populous places of Judea. The modern village of Hebna, more accurately Ibna, stands about two miles from the sea, on a slight eminence just south of the Nahr Rubin.”.
Ashdod
Ashdod=Ashdod lay about midway between Gaza and Joppa, and approximately 3 miles from the Mediterranean Sea. There is much history between our forefathers and the peoples of Ashdod, which was the capital city of the Philistines—the arch enemy of our forefathers. As Father was leading our forefathers into the Promised Land, it was occupied by the Anakims—the offspring of the fallen angels, in other words, giants. Joshua and the war-fighters of Israel captured Ashdod and it was given to the Tribe of Judah as part of their inheritance; however, there is no evidence that it ever came into their actual possession. Ashdod was one of the five cities which received Father’s judgment whereby all the people of the city came down with a bad case of emerods and the plague of mice for their participation of holding onto Father’s Ark when the Philistines had captured it from our forefathers when they took it into battle with them without first seeking Father and asking Him IF they could do so—I Samuel 5. † Abarim Publications does not provide an etymology for the name\word Ashdod, and as such, neither can I. † Now from the Strong’s Concordance, where we find that it is Hebrew word number: H795, - אַשְׁדּוֹד, - 'ashdôd, pronounced - ash-dodeי, and means: From H7703; ravager; Ashdod, a place in Palestine: - Ashdod. Total KJV occurrences: 19.. † Now from the Smith’s Bible Dictionary, where we read: “Stronghold. One of the five confederate cities of the Philistines situated about 30 miles from the southern frontier of Palestine, three from the Mediterranean Sea, and nearly midway between Gaza and Joppa. It was assigned to the tribe of Judah Joshua 15:47, but was never subdued by the Israelites. Its chief importance arose from its position on the high road from Palestine to Egypt. It is now an insignificant village, with no memorials of its ancient importance, but is still called Esdud.”.
26:7 Events. Foreign wars.
1A7
II Chronicles 26:7 And God helped him against the Philistines, and against the Arabians (Patrial from H6152; an Arabian or inhabitant of Arab; a country east of Palestine; or, desert or barren) (ar-aw-beeי) that dwelt in Gur-baal (dwelling of baal; and, abode of baal) (goor-bahי-al) , and the Mehunims (probably patrial from H4584; a Meunite and, or inhabitant of Maon; and, habitations) (meh-oo-neeי). —> We read back in II Chronicles 21:13 and following, that it was Father Who had stirred up these Philistines and Arabians against Jehoram. Let’s read what Jehoram did which caused Father to do so: II Chronicles 21:13 But hast walked in the way of the kings of Israel, and hast made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to go a whoring, like to the whoredoms of the house of Ahab, and also hast slain thy brethren of thy father's house, which were better than thyself: —> Jehoshaphat’s son Jehoram was doing exactly as his wife Athaliah—Jehoram’s mother—wanted him to do, which was just what her parents Ahab and Jezebel had taught her to do: only Godless evilness. So, what did Father do? Skip down three verses with me. [21:16] Moreover the LORD stirred up against Jehoram the spirit of the Philistines, and of the Arabians, that were near the Ethiopians: [21:17] And they came up into Judah, and brake into it, and carried away all the substance that was found in the king’s house, and his sons also, and his wives; so that there was never a son left him, save Jehoahaz, the youngest of his sons. —> The Philistines and Arabians carried away every one of Jehoram’s sons except his youngest, Jehoahaz. They also put such a whooping on Judah at that time, that until now, Judah was completely powerless to do anything about what the Arabians and Philistines had done; however, that, as we’re reading of here in II Chronicles 26:7, is now changing.
Mehunims=Sadly, we find by reading Ezra 2:50 and Nehemiah 7:52, that after subduing these Mehunims, somewhere along down the line, our forefathers will make them temple servants, in other words, nethinims. Both Ezra and Nehemiah record that they were part of the peoples who came out of the captivity to the Babylonians and returned to Jerusalem to re-build the city.
Arabians=For a detailed description of the Arabians, including their history, the etymology of the name, the Strong’s Concordance definition of the name, and the Smith’s Bible Dictionary information, click here.
Gur-baal
Gur-baal=As I pointed out while reading the verse, Dr. Strong and Dr. Smith, both have the meaning of the name Gur-baal as the “dwelling of baal” and the “abode of baal.” As such, we may infer that the Arabians, Mehunims and the Philistines were all worshipping baal in this little town within the confines of Edom. During the reign of king uzziah of the House of Judah, he and his war-fighters made war against the afore-mentioned peoples, and because at the time, he was being pleasing to Father, Father gave him the victory over them. Some Biblical scholars denote that this Gur-baal is Bozrah of which we read in Jeremiah 49:12-13, the following: Jeremiah 49:12 For thus saith the LORD; “Behold, they whose judgment was not to drink of the cup have assuredly drunken; and art thou he that shall altogether go unpunished? thou shalt not go unpunished, but thou shalt surely drink of it. [49:13] For I have sworn by myself, saith the LORD, that Bozrah shall become a desolation, a reproach, a waste, and a curse; and all the cities thereof shall be perpetual wastes.” —> As we see, Father doesn’t have a good ending planned for the peoples of Bozrah. † For the etymology of the name Gur-baal, we read the following in Abarim Publications: “The name Gur-baal obviously consists of two elements. The first part גור (gur), is often used to describe to itinerate or temporary abide. The second part of our name is most likely a reference to the Canaanite deity Baal, and comes from the verb בעל (baיal), meaning to rule over: For a meaning of the name Gur-baal, New Open Bible Study Edition (NOBSE) Study Bible Name List reads Sojourn Of Baal. Jones’ Dictionary of Old Testament Proper Names has Sojourning Of Baal. And Brown Driver Briggs (BDB) Theological Dictionary proposes Dwelling Of Baal.” † Now from the Strong’s Concordance, where we find that it is Hebrew word number: H1485, - גּוּר־בַּעַל, - gûr-ba‛al, pronounced - goor-bahי-al, and means: From H1481 and H1168; dwelling of baal; Gur Baal, a place in Arabia: - Gur-baal. Total KJV occurrences: 1.. † Now from the Smith’s Bible Dictionary, where we read: “Abode of baal. A place or district in which dwelt Arabians, as recorded in II Chronicles 26:7. It appears from the context to have been in the country lying between Palestine and the Arabian peninsula; but this, although probable, cannot be proved.”.
Mehunims
Mehunims=The first we read of the Mehunims is when king Uzziah of the House of Judah engages in a successful war against them along with the Arabians and the Philistines in II Chronicles 26:7. The only other time they are mentioned in Father’s Word is as our forefathers are coming out of the captivity to the Babylonians and both Ezra and Nehemiah mention them as being among the nethinims in Ezra 2:50 and Nehemiah 7:52. † For the etymology of the name Mehunims, we read the following in Abarim Publications: “The name Maon is identical and the name Meunites is similar to the noun מעון (maיon), meaning refuge or habitation, from the unused root עון (wn): None of the credible sources we routinely consult proposes a translation of the name Meunites, but since the name Maon is commonly translated with Habitation, the Meunites would be The People Of Habitation. Here at Abarim Publications we like to believe that the name Meunites isn’t an actual ethnonym, but rather the Biblical word for The Indigenous Population.”. † Now from the Strong’s Concordance, where we find that it is Hebrew word number: H4586, - מְעוּנִיo, or ssמְעִינִי, - me‛ûnı̂y, or me‛ı̂ynı̂y, pronounced - meh-oo-neeי or meh-ee-neeי, and means: Probably patrial from H4584; a Meunite, or inhabitant of Maon (only in plural): - Mehunim (-s), Meunim. Total KJV occurrences: 3.. † Now from the Smith’s Bible Dictionary, where we read: “Habitations. A people against whom King Uzziah waged a successful war II Chronicles 26:7. The name is the plural of Maon [MAON]. Another notice of the Mehunims in the reign of Hezekiah is found in I Chronicles 4:41. Here they are spoken of as it pastoral people, either themselves Hamites or in alliance with Hamites quiet and peaceable, dwelling in tents. Here, however, the Authorized Version treats the word as an ordinary noun and renders it “habitations.” The latest appearance of the name Mehunims in the Bible is in the lists of those who returned front the captivity with Zerubbabel Ezra 2:50. Authorized Version “Mehunim;” Nehemiah 7:52 Authorized Version “Meunim.””.
26:8 Renown.
1A8
II Chronicles 26:8 And the Ammonites (tribal, that is, inbred; and, mountaineers) (am-mo-neeי) gave gifts to Uzziah: and his name spread abroad even to the entering in of Egypt (land of the copts) (mits-rahי-yim); for he strengthened himself exceedingly. —> Brethren, it wasn’t just Uzziah who was strengthening himself; Father had His hand on him, because to this point of his reign and rule over the Nation, he was doing that which was right in Father’s eyes. Father was making him and Judah to prosper, don’t overlook this fact. In doing so, Uzziah put the Ammonites to tribute and rebuilt the treasuries which had dwindled to nothing under his father Amaziah’s rule, remember he had given much of the Dedicated Things out of Father’s Temple to Hazael, in trying to buy him off.
Ammonites=For a detailed description of the Ammonites, including their history, the etymology of the word, the Strong’s Concordance definition of the word, and the Smith’s Bible Dictionary information, click here.
Egypt=For a detailed description of Egypt, including the nations history, the etymology of the name, the Strong’s Concordance definition of the name, and the Smith’s Bible Dictionary information, click here.
26:9-15 Events. Home affairs.
26:9-15 EVENTS. HOME AFFAIRS.
(Introversion.)
26:9 Jerusalem. Fortification.
1A9
II Chronicles 26:9 Moreover Uzziah built towers in Jerusalem at the corner gate, and at the valley gate, and at the turning of the wall, and fortified them. —> Uzziah also started the rebuilding of the temple walls which had been torn down by Jehoash and the men of Israel, after Jehoash had warned Amaziah not to provoke Israel to war. Amaziah failed to listen; therefore, the two armies met up in Beth-shemesh which was fifteen miles west of Jerusalem where Israel put such a major hurting on Amaziah and the war-fighters of Judah, that many of the men of Judah fled back to their tents in order to save their lives. Before returning to Israel though, Joash and his men drug Amaziah back to Jerusalem where they destroyed between 650 to 800 feet of the Temple wall between the Gate of Ephraim, to the Corner Gate, thus leaving Jerusalem defenseless on both the northwest and southwest corners. Of course, had the kings before Uzziah turned to Father with their whole heart and then called upon Him, He would have been their defense.
26:10 Defenses. Forts, etc..
1A10
II Chronicles 26:10 Also he built towers in the desert, and digged many wells: for he had much cattle, both in the low country, and in the plains: husbandmen also, and vine dressers in the mountains, and in Carmel (fruitful place; and, fruitful place or park) (kar-melי): for he loved husbandry. —> Uzziah also built fortifications which included watch towers, and he had his men dig wells out in the plains to the west and to the south of the Dead Sea where his cattle grazed. This was done in order to protect his many herds from the raiding parties of the Arabians, the Edomites, and the Syrians; and to also provide water to the people manning the fortifications, the livestock and the terrain which provided food for both man and beast.
We’re going to see in the next five verses, that uzziah completely built every facet of his strength in man power, fortifications, and weaponry: both personal arms and siege weapons.
Carmel
Carmel=The first mention of Carmel, is as Father was leading our forefathers into the Promised Land. Carmel was given to the Tribe of Judah as part of their inheritance—Joshua 15:55. Several centuries later, during the reign of king Saul, he and his war-fighters were slaying the Amalekites as Father commanded; however, Saul was disobedient and saved the Amalekite king, Agag, alive. This displeased Father greatly and at that point rejected Saul because Saul had rejected Father and His Word—I Samuel 15. We next read of Carmel—I Samuel 25—when David was on the run from king Saul, and David and his little rag-tag army of 600 men had come to Carmel to an area of a man who had a home in Maon and possessions of land in Carmel, this man’s name was Nabal. Nabal had a wife whose name was Abigail. Nabal was a foolish man, but his wife Abigail, she was a very intelligent and wise woman. David and his men had been hiding in Carmel for many days, the entire time watching over and protecting Nabal’s herds and shepherds. There came a day when David sent a few of his men to Nabal asking for a little sustenence from Nabal to feed he and his men. Nabal quickly and soundly rejected David, which angered him, and he told his men to prepare for war against Nabal. As they were preparing for war, one of Nabal’s shepherds went and told Abigail the foolishness of her husband. Abigail quickly gathered two hundred loaves of bread, two bottles of wine, five ready dressed sheep, five measures of parched corn, an hundred clusters of raisins, and two hundred cakes of figs, she placed these in baskets and put them on an ass to take to David and his men. She did all this without telling Nabal. David accepted Abigail’s gifts and told his men to stand-down from harming Nabal and his men. Abigail returned home and found Nabal having a feast like that of a king, and found that he had also drank much wine, so she told him nothing until the next morning. When hearing what was about to befall him and what his wife had done, Nabal was angry and he became stone-hearted. Father struck Nabla ten days later and brought Nabal Home to Him. When the news of Nabal’s death came to David, he sent some of his men to Abigail to offer his condolences and to tell her to come to him, as he would take her to wife to repay the kindness she had paid to him. Abigail was pleased with what she heard, saddled an ass and went to David and indeed became one of his wives. In the final account of Carmel I’ll bring in here, we read in II Chronicles 26:10, that king Uzziah of the House of Judah had his men dig many wells for the large herds of cattle he had in Carmel. † For the etymology of the name Carmel, we read the following in Abarim Publications: “The name Carmel is identical to the Hebrew word כרמל (karmel), meaning plantation or orchard: For a meaning of the name Carmel, New Open Bible Study Edition (NOBSE) Study Bible Name List reads Field, Park, Garden. Jones’ Dictionary of Old Testament Proper Names renders Fruitful Field.”. † Now from the Strong’s Concordance, where we find that it is Hebrew word number: H3760, - כַּרְמֶל, - karmel, pronounced - kar-melי, and means: The same as H3759; a planted field, (garden, orchard, vineyard, or park); Karmel, the name of a hill and of a town in Palestine Israel: - Carmel, fruitful (plentiful) field, (place). Total KJV occurrences: 25.. † Now from the Smith’s Bible Dictionary, where we read: “Fruitful place or park. A town in the mountainous country of Judah, Joshua 15:55, familiar to us as the residence of Nabal, I Samuel 25:2,5,7,40.”.
26:11-13 Armies.
1A11
II Chronicles 26:11 Moreover Uzziah had an host of fighting men, that went out to war by bands, according to the number of their account by the hand of Jeiel (carried away of YAH; and, treasured of YAH) (yeh-ee-aleי) the scribe and Maaseiah (work of YAH; and, work of YAH) (mah-as-ay-yawי-hoo) the ruler, under the hand of Hananiah (YAH has favored; and, gift of YAH) (khan-an-yawי-hoo), one of the king’s captains. —> In Uzziah’s strengthening of the Nation, he not only strengthened his fortifications; but, he also built up his fighting force to properly man them as well. His military—though not as strong in numbers as it was under the hand of Jehoshaphat who was able to muster over one million troops, Uzziah has brought his number of fighting men back up to over three hundred thousand—was very organized, strong, and proud. Exactly the opposite of ours—the Unites States—since 2015, under obama, when the woke culture took over and we’ve suffered through weak Defense Secretaries, Branch Secretaries, Chairman of the Joint Chief of Staff and Top Military Leaders.
Jeiel
Jeiel=Father’s Word does not provide a genealogy, age, or history for Jeiel; as such, the only thing we know of concerning Jeiel is that he was the principal scribe who kept account of and recorded the number of soldiers in king Uzziah’s army as we read in II Chronicles 26:11-13. † Abarim Publications does not provide an etymology for the name Jeiel, and as such, neither can I. † Now from the Strong’s Concordance, where we find that it is Hebrew word number: H3273, - יְעִיאֵל, - ye‛ı̂y'êl, pronounced - yeh-ee-aleי, and means: From H3261 and H410 Carried away of YAH; Jeiel, the name of six Israelites: - Jeiel, Jehiel. Compare H3262. Total KJV occurrences: 13.. † Now from the Smith’s Bible Dictionary, where we read: “Treasured of YAH. The scribe who kept the account of the numbers of King Uzziah’s irregular predatory warriors, II Chronicles 26:11.”.
Maaseiah
Maaseiah=Father’s Word does not provide a genealogy, age, or history for Maaseiah; as such, the only thing we know of concerning Maaseiah is that he was an officer of high rank and served under the hand of Hananiah, one of the captains in king Uzziah’s army as we read in II Chronicles 26:11-13. † Abarim Publications does not provide an etymology for the name Maaseiah, and as such, neither can I. † Now from the Strong’s Concordance, where we find that it is Hebrew word number: H4641, - מַעֲשֵׂיָה, ssמַעֲשֵׂיָהוּ, - ma‛ăśêyâh, or ma‛ăśêyâhû, pronounced - mah-as-ay-yawי or mah-as-ay-yawי-hoo, and means: From H4639 and H3050; work of YAH; Maasejah, the name of sixteen Israelites: - Masseiah. Total KJV occurrences: 23.. † Now from the Smith’s Bible Dictionary, where we read: “Work of YHVH. An officer of high rank in the reign of Uzziah II Chronicles 26:11. He was probably a Levite, compare: I Chronicles 23:4 and engaged in a semi-military capacity.”.
Hananiah
Hananiah=Father’s Word does not provide a genealogy, age, or history for Hananiah; as such, the only thing we know of concerning Hananiah is that he was one of the captains in king Uzziah’s army, and had Maaseiah under him, as we read in II Chronicles 26:11-13. † For the etymology of the name Hananiah, we read the following in Abarim Publications: “The name Hananiah consists of two elements, the final one being יה (YAH) = יהו (YAHU) = יו (YU), which in turn are abbreviated forms of the Tetragrammaton יהוה, YHVH or YAHVEH. The first part of our name comes from the verb חנן (hanan), meaning to be gracious: For a meaning of the name Hananiah, both New Open Bible Study Edition (NOBSE) Study Bible Name List and Brown Driver Briggs (BDB) Theological Dictionary read Yahveh Has Been Gracious. Alfred Jones (Dictionary of Old Testament Proper Names) proposes Graciously Given Of The Lord.” † Now from the Strong’s Concordance, where we find that it is Hebrew word number: H2608, - חֲנַנְיָה, or ssחֲנַנְיָהוּ, - chănanyâh, or chănanyâhû, pronounced - khan-an-yawי or khan-an-yawי-hoo, and means: From H2603 and H3050; YAH has favored; Chananjah, the name of thirteen Israelites: - Hananiah. Total KJV occurrences: 29.. † Now from the Smith’s Bible Dictionary, where we read: “Gift of YAH. A general in the army of King Uzziah, II Chronicles 26:11.”.
1A12
II Chronicles 26:12 The whole number of the chief of the fathers of the mighty men of valour were two thousand and six hundred. —> General Flag Officers and other ranking officers is back up in strength to 2,600.
1A13
II Chronicles 26:13 And under their hand was an army, three hundred thousand and seven thousand and five hundred, that made war with mighty power, to help the king against the enemy. —> At this time only a land force is needed, and that force is now mustering 307,500 capable fighting men able to go to war.
I pointed out above that under Jehoshaphat’s reign and rule, Judah was mustering an army of over 1,160,000 war-fighters; so as we see, this is a significant decrease in fighting men. Yes, Jehoshaphat ruled five generations ago; but, in those five generations, Judah has had only evil kings, and therefore Father reduced their numbers.
26:14 Defences. Armor.
1A14
II Chronicles 26:14 And Uzziah prepared for them throughout all the host shields, and spears, and helmets, and habergeons, and bows, and slings to cast stones. —> And=First off, notice all the “and(s)” in this verse brethren? The use of multiple and(s) in Father’s Word indicates a polysyndeton. These consecutive or multiple uses of the word and, are used to highlight and emphasize each detail and point.
In order to make all the armor and weapons needed for each member, you also need very much raw materials: brass, iron, stone and wood; something David and then Solomon several centuries previous had tried to ensure the Nation had.
habergeons=Pronounced in the Hebrew tongue — shir [-yoneי, -yawnי, -yawי, -yo-nawי]. These were either, or both, breastplates and\or coats of mail, otherwise known as chainmail, and if you’re a Lord of the Rings fan, think of mithril.
26:15 Renown.
26:15 Jerusalem. Fortifications.
1A15
II Chronicles 26:15 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. —> These “engines” were siege weapons such as the Romans had, which possibly included things such as: trebuchets: a weapon powered exclusively by gravity, these machines used a counterweight attached to an arm to swing the stone attached to a sling around and release at an optimal pin angle; Ballista, or catapults: which were similar to a trebuchet in terms of an arm swinging a stone attached to a sling, with the exception that these machines are normally powered by springs or rubber bands; Torsion Weapons: which got their name from how much torque they put on twisted rope which was the main power to sling a stone or other heavy object into the air; or maybe even Centrifugals: around, around, and around the pumpkin goes, when it will be released, no one knows. These machines build up centrifugal force in an circular motion and have ways to release the weapon at the optimal trajectory for an outstanding distance shot. In either case, every one of these weapons required cunning men who were trying to devise more ways to take control over their enemies, as well as their own protection. Every one of them slung either a rock, or other heavy object in order to fight at a distance of less than a mile. Today, our arrows—missiles, be they Air-to-air, Air-to-surface, surface-to-air, surface-to-surface, or inter-continental—can travel upwards of thousands of miles, and the “rocks” or warheads they carry, can even include nuclear weapons, and can destroy a city in the moment’s notice. Sure, the way we fight wars has changed; but, Father still allows His People of Judah, America, or where ever they follow His Word, the wisdom and strength to withstand their enemies. That is the blessings of doing it the right way, and seeking to trust and follow Him.
All this—in Uzziah’s mind—is great, he’s looking around at what he has done and thinking, “I’m all set;” however, there is one area where he truly and totally forgot to further strengthen himself, and that was with the One Who truly made him strong — Father. So, like as usual, man is seeing what he has done with his own hands—time to get the big head—and is now about to put all his reliance upon what he has done, and in doing so, he’ll forsake Father.
26:16-21 Personal. Evil-doing.
26:16-21 PERSONAL. EVIL-DOING.
(Alternation.)
26:16 Uzziah, transgression.
1A16
II Chronicles 26:16 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. —> …When he was strong…=This was where Uzziah ran into trouble; for, as soon as Father—and he forgot that it was Father Who made him strong—strengthened him, he became prideful; thinking he was so powerful that no one or nothing could bring him down. However, in his forgetting and forsaking the very One Who gave him his strength and authority, Father is about to bring him back to reality by putting upon him a very attention getting correcting punishment.
See, it wasn’t just that he became “high and mighty” so to speak; it was also that with this new found strength and authority, he thought that he could now do anything he pleased, and what did he do? He marched himself right into Father’s House, right into the Holiest of Holies—where only the High Priest was allowed and even he only once a year, on the Day of Attonement—and started burning incense as though he were the High Priest. Now, who Uzziah was actually burning incense to, Father’s Word doesn’t say, and it really doesn’t matter, because, he was not supposed to be there, even if he was burning the incense to Father, it was still done illegally.
Having power such as Father had given to Uzziah, makes a lot of men very prideful, and it is there in this zone that the danger is real; for, only in our weakness do we become strong by seeking Father and His Christ, our Lord and Saviour as we read in II Corinthians 12:8-10 which reads: II Corinthians 12:8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. [12:9] And he said unto me, “My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. [12:10] Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. —> Though Paul was speaking of his infirmity of his eye sight being dimmed, and though he had asked Father for a healing three times, Jesus told him that in his—Paul’s—weakness, he can find strength in Jesus Christ. I’m also reminded of someone else’s heart being lifted up to his destruction, and we can read about it in Ezekiel 28; for, it is there that we can read how satan became prideful after Father had elevated him to Protector of His Mercy Seat, and he decided he no longer wanted to be the protector, he now wanted to be the one who sat on that seat of judgment.
26:17 YHVH. Opposition.
1A17
II Chronicles 26:17 And Azariah (YAH has helped; and, whom YAH helps) (Az-ar-yawי-hoo) the priest went in after him, and with him fourscore priests of the LORD, that were valiant men: —> Obviously Zechariah the prophet from verse v26:5 above has died and returned Home to Father for Uzziah to be doing the things he has taken to doing. Now we see that a man named Azariah is the High Priest, and he is coming into the Temple after Uzziah, and he is bringing 80 Priests with him, and these Priests are no slackers, every one of them is a valiant man. It’s time to put a stop to Uzziah’s non-sense. However, it’ll be by Father, for He isn’t pleased that this high and mighty king has encroached on His Holiest of Holies.
Azariah=Azariah was the High Priest during the reign and rule of Uzziah, king of the House of Judah. When the king deceided he was going to march his keister right on in to Father’s Sanctuary and offer incense on His Altar, Azariah mustered 80 valiant priests to put a stop to Uzziah’s shenanigans. Their actions angered Uzziah, and he was about to proceed, but, with his censer in his hand, Father brought about a leprosy in his forehead and Azariah and the priests removed him from Father’s Temple. † For the etymology of the name Azariah, we read the following in Abarim Publications: “The name עזריה (Azariah) or the slightly expanded but essentially the same name עזריהו (Azariahu) is among the most popular in the Bible. The Old Testament counts no fewer than 21 individuals with that name. Most famously is one of the three friends of Daniel, whose name was Azariah but who was given the Babylonian name Abed-nego (Daniel 1:7). The name Azariah or Azariahu consists of two elements. The first part comes from the verb עזר (azar), meaning to help or support: The final bit of the name Azariah is formed from the appellative יה (Yah) = יהו (Yahu) = יו (Yu), which in turn are abbreviated forms of the Tetragrammaton; the name of the Lord: YHVH. The name Azariah means Helped Of God (Jones’ Dictionary of Old Testament Proper Names), or YAHVEH has helped (New Open Bible Study Edition [NOBSE] Study Bible Name List, Brown Driver Briggs (BDB) Theological Dictionary), or more commonly The Lord Has Helped (Harris Archer Waltke [HAW] Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament).”. † Now from the Strong’s Concordance, where we find that it is Hebrew word number: H5838, - עֲזַרְיָהss or עֲזַרְיָהוּ, - ‛ăzaryâh or ‛ăzaryâhû, pronounced - az-ar-yawי or az-ar-yawי-hoo, and means: From H5826 and H3050; Yah has helped; Azarjah, the name of nineteen Israelites: - Azariah. Total KJV occurrences: 48.. † Now from the Smith’s Bible Dictionary, where we read: “The high priest in the reign of Uzziah king of Judah. The most memorable event of his life is that which is recorded in II Chronicles 26:17-20. Azariah was contemporary with Isaiah the prophet and with Amos and Joel.”.
26:18 YHVH. Opposition.
1A18
II Chronicles 26:18 And they withstood Uzziah the king, and said unto him, “It appertaineth not unto thee, Uzziah, to burn incense unto the LORD, but to the priests the sons of Aaron (a teacher, or lofty; and, bright or very high) (a-har-oneי), that are consecrated to burn incense: go out of the sanctuary; for thou hast trespassed; neither shall it be for thine honour from the LORD God.” —> Azariah tells Uzziah that he has no business being standing in the Sanctuary of Father’s House, and definitely no business pouring the incense onto the Altar of incense. Here in a moment we’ll see that Azariah didn’t really have to muster up those 80 valiant Priests he brought with him; for, Father is going to “have his back,” so to speak, and will dole out His punishment on Uzziah.
Aaron
Aaron=Aaron was the oldest son of Amram and his wife Jochebed, he was brother to Miriam and Moses, and both grandson and great-grandson of Levi through Levi’s second oldest son Kohath, and Levi’s daughter—Kohath’s—sister Jochebed. We are introduced to Aaron in Father’s Word, after being introduced to his younger brother Moses, when Father instructs Moses to return to Egypt to tell pharaoh to let His People go. Moses tells Father that he is of slow speech and tongue, and Father becomes angry with Moses and tells him that his brother the Levite will meet him as he is returning, and will be glad in his heart to see him, and he’ll do the speaking for Moses when Mosses cannot find the words. Aaron does indeed meet Moses as he returns to Egypt and he does assist him every step of the way while Moses tries to convince pharaoh to let the Israelites leave their bondage to the Egyptians. After pronouncing 10 plagues upon Egypt, the last being the first born of every human and animal who was not covered by the blood of the slain lamb, pharaoh had finally had enough, and he told Moses to take the Israelites and flee Egypt. We read in Exodus 6, that before they fled Egypt, Aaron had already taken to wife Elisheba who bare him his 4 sons: Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar. We further read in Exodus 6, that Aaron’s third oldest son Eleazar, was also old enough and had already taken a wife before they fled Egypt. We discover several things in Exodus 7, among them were, that Moses was 80 and Arron 83 when they were convincing pharaoh to let them leave Egypt—that made Miriam either 81 or 82—and that Father deemed, or elevated Aaron to Prophet status. Aaron was instrumental in the defeat of the Amalekites in that, as the war wore on, Moses’ arms grew heavy from holding them up—which, so long as he held them up, Israel was having the victory—and every time he lowered them, Aaron and Hur braced his arms until the going down of the sun and our forefather’s had the victory. We find in Exodus 24 Father calling Moses up onto Mount Sinai to give him the orders of the Priesthood and the Ten Commandments, while there Father tells Moses in Exodus 28 that Moses was to take Aaron and his sons from amongst all Israel, for they were to minister to Father as His Priests. Then sadly, we read in Exodus 32 that while Moses was still up receiving the Ten Commandments, certain men came to Aaron and convinced him that Moses wasn’t coming back down off the Mount; therefor, Aaron should fashion a new god for them to follow after, one made from gold, a golden calf such as they worshiped while in Egypt. I say sadly because, we read that Aaron complied without even putting up any resistance to their demands, or fight for his brother Moses. We read in Leviticus 8 of the consecration of Aaron and his sons as Father’s Priests. † We find while researching the etymology of the name Aaron that, the name is not a regular Hebrew word and that’s possibly because it originated elsewhere (probably Egypt). But, since most names in the Bible mean something and foreign names often were transliterated into Hebrew in such a way that they began to mean something in Hebrew, it’s interesting to see what the name Aaron may have meant to a Hebrew audience. Jones’ Dictionary of Old Testament Proper Names derives Aaron from the Hebrew word הר (har) meaning mountain, hill (and a mountain is sometimes used as metaphor for a large group of people). From this perspective, the name Aaron is related to the Hebrew names Ararat and Haran. Another way of looking at the name Aaron (as does New Open Bible Study Edition (NOBSE) Study Bible Name List) is to follow the Hebrew root אור ss(יor) meaning to be or become light: There may even be relations between the name Aaron and the word ארון ss(יaron), meaning chest or Ark (see the name Aran). This word is used for an offer chest (II Kings 12:10), a sarcophagus (Genesis 50:26) but mostly to indicate the Ark of the Covenant (Exodus 25:10). And finally we note the curious similarity between the name אהרן (Aaron; spelled with the letter ה) and the adjective אחרון (aharon; spelled with the letter ח), meaning hindermost, latter or last. See any of the אחר-names (like Aharah) for more details on this word.. † Now from the Strong’s Concordance, where we find that it is Hebrew word number: H175, - אַהֲרוֹן, - 'ahărôn, pronounced - a-har-oneי, and means: Of uncertain derivation; Aharon, the brother of Moses: - Aaron. Total KJV occurrences: 347.. † Now from the Smith’s Bible Dictionary, where we read: “A teacher or lofty. The son of Amram and Jochebed, and the older brother of Moses and Miriam Numbers 26:59; 33:39. He was a Levite, and is first mentioned in Exodus 4:14. He was appointed by YHVH to be the interpreter Exodus 4:16, of his brother Moses, who was “slow of speech;” and accordingly he was not only the organ of communication with the Israelites and with Pharaoh Exodus 4:30; 7:20, but also the actual instrument of working most of the miracles of the Exodus Exodus 7:19, etc.. On the way to Mount Sinai, during the battle with Amalek, Aaron with Hur stayed up the weary hands of Moses when they were lifted up for the victory of Israel Exodus 17:9. He is mentioned as dependent upon his brother and deriving all his authority from him. Left, on Moses’ departure into Sinai, to guide the people, Aaron is tried for a moment on his own responsibility, and he fails from a weak inability to withstand the demand of the people for visible “gods to go before them,” by making an image of YHVH, in the well-known form of Egyptian idolatry (Apis or Mnevis). He repented of his sin, and Moses gained forgiveness for him Deuteronomy 9:20. Aaron was not consecrated by Moses to the new office of the high priesthood Exodus 29:9. From this time the history of Aaron is almost entirely that of the priesthood, and its chief feature is the great rebellion of Korah and the Levites. Leaning, as he seems to have done, wholly on Moses, it is not strange that he should have shared his sin at Meribah and its punishment. See Moses Numbers 20:10-12. Aaron’s death seems to have followed very speedily. It took place on Mount Hor, after the transference of his robes and office to Eleazar Numbers 20:28. This mount is still called the “Mountain of Aaron. ” See Hor. The wife of Aaron was Elisheba Exodus 6:23, and the two sons who survived him Eleazar and Ithamar. The high priesthood descended to the former, and to his descendants until the time of Eli, who, although of the house of Ithamar, received the high priesthood and transmitted it to his children; with them it continued till the accession of Solomon, who took it from Abiathar and restored it to Zadok (of the house of Eleazar). See Abiathar.”.
26:19 Uzziah. Anger.
26:19-21 YHVH. Judgment.
1A19
II Chronicles 26:19 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. —> Ya know, doing wrong is bad enough, getting angry and even more puffed-up when being called out about it, makes the situation even worse, doing so to Father’s High Priest while you’re standing in Father’s Sanctuary and he is telling you that you are in the wrong and shouldn’t be here, is one step too far, and Uzziah is about to find out that he crossed a line which he’ll wish he never had. He is now on the downward side of his final days, and they’re not going to be good days either.
As Uzziah is standing there in his haughtiness chastising Azariah for speaking so rough to his king, Azariah and the other 80 Priests with him, notice that a change is taking place within Uzziah; for, right before their very eyes, leprosy is taking hold of Uzziah, and the external signs of it are appearing on his forehead.
Leprosy=Leprosy in the Strong’s Concordance, is Hebrew word number: H6883, - >צרעת, - tsâra‛ath, pronounced - tsaw-rahי-ath, and means: From H6879; leprosy: - leprosy. Total KJV occurrences: 35.. OK, so let’s look at H6879 next, we find when we do: H6879, - צרע, - tsâra‛, pronounced - tsaw-rahי-ath, and means: A primitive root; to scourge, that is, (intransitively and figuratively) to be stricken with leprosy: - leper, leprous. Total KJV occurrences: 20.. So, we see that someone who had leprosy was stricken so, Who did the striking? Let’s read the next verse and find out:
1A20
II Chronicles 26:20 And Azariah the chief priest, and all the priests, looked upon him, and, behold, he was leprous in his forehead, and they thrust him out from thence; yea, himself hasted also to go out, because the LORD had smitten him. —> Uzziah had served Father faithfully for many years, and Father had Blessed him for being so faithful. He had bestowed onto him much the way He had onto Solomon many centuries previous; the wealth of the world, an army second to none, which all the nations in the world feared, and yet, here in his later years, he turned his back on Father and His ways.
If Father Blesses you and gives you authority and power to tend to His business, to lead his people; so long as you tend to the duties He has assigned you, He will bless you even further; however, when you start thinking that it is you who has the power, and that it was gotten by your own might, it is then brethren, that you are in trouble with Father. He sets up kings and nations, and the He takes them down. Uzziah was about to violate the strict orders of Father’s law, and he even thought that he was powerful enough to get away with it.
Uzziah being stricken with leprosy is a “death sentence” from Father, and the reason for His death sentence is written in Father’s Law, and had Uzziah did as he, as king, was supposed to do and write his own copy of Father’s Law, he himself would have known he just committed an offense which warranted his own death sentence. We too can read of this in Numbers 18, where we read: Numbers 18:1 And the LORD said unto Aaron, “Thou and thy sons and thy father’s house with thee shall bear the iniquity of the sanctuary: and thou and thy sons with thee shall bear the iniquity of your priesthood. [18:2] And thy brethren also of the tribe of Levi, the tribe of thy father, bring thou with thee, that they may be joined unto thee, and minister unto thee: but thou and thy sons with thee shall minister before the tabernacle of witness. —> Why was it that Father chose the Levites as His Priests? Because it was they: Moses, Aaron and their brethren who stood up for Father and against those who desired to worship the golden calves as we read in Exodus 32. [18:3] And they shall keep thy charge, and the charge of all the tabernacle: only they shall not come nigh the vessels of the sanctuary and the altar, that neither they, nor ye also, die. —> The Tribe of Levi will be the Priest-line; however, it will only be Aaron and then his offspring and their lineage who will be allowed to be the High Priests, and will be allowed near the Holiest of Holies, any other Priest, or anybody else who comes near, receives a death sentence from Father. [18:4] And they shall be joined unto thee, and keep the charge of the tabernacle of the congregation, for all the service of the tabernacle: and a stranger shall not come nigh unto you. —> No other Israelite, and definitely no foreigner shall allowed inside the Tabernacle. [18:5] And ye shall keep the charge of the sanctuary, and the charge of the altar: that there be no wrath any more upon the children of Israel. —> The Levites themselves will even be punished should anybody else come near and they do nothing to stop it. [18:6] And I, behold, I have taken your brethren the Levites from among the children of Israel: to you they are given as a gift for the LORD, to do the service of the tabernacle of the congregation. [18:7] Therefore thou and thy sons with thee shall keep your priest’s office for every thing of the altar, and within the vail; and ye shall serve: I have given your priest’s office unto you as a service of gift: and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death. —> Only the High Priest—Aaron now, and then one of his sons in the future—in the Holiest of Holies, and he and his sons in the Most Holy place, and only the Priests allowed in the tabernacle and able to minister to Father, anybody else would die.
Leprous=Uzziah being stricken with leprosy is one of nine such instances recorded in Father’s Word: the first was Moses’ hand in Exodus 4:6; next was Moses’ sister Miriam was next in Numbers 12:10; not long ago we read of Hazael king of Syria’s military captain Naaman in II Kings 5:7; then it was the four leprous men of II Kings 7:3 and following, who were starving and decided that they’d approach the Syrian army and if Syrian soldiers killed them well, at least they tried; next we read of king Uzziah both in II Kings 15:5 and in II Chronicles 26:19-21; we can read in Matthew 8 of the leper who had come to Jesus worshiping Him and asking for a healing; we can also read Matthew 26:6 of Jesus being in Simeon the lepers house; and finally the ten lepers who came to Him in Luke 17 standing afar off asking for Him to have mercy on them.
1A21
II 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 (YAH [is] perfect; and, YHVH is upright) (Yo-thamי) his son was over the king’s house, judging the People of the land. —> Leviticus 13 chronicles the laws for leprosy, and we can read in Leviticus 13:46, that a leper was unclean, and was therefore to be put outside of the camp of Israel in order to not infect anybody else; and here in Uzziah’s case, he was put in a “several” house, in other words, a separated house, or a hospital.
Jotham
Jotham=Jotham was the son Uzziah, king of the House of Judah, and his wife Jerushah the daughter of Zadok, and he was father to Ahaz who succeded him on the throne. He was 25 years old took over the reigns from his father who Father had stricken with leprosy when he marched his keister into Father’s Sanctuary to offer incense on His Altar. He was the 14th king of the divided Nation of the House of Judah, and he reigned and ruled the Nation for 16 years—from 647B.C. until 632B.C.—returning Home to Father at the ripe old age—that was sarcasm if you missed it—of 41 years old. He was both a good and a righteous king, doing that only which was right in Father’s eyes; and during his reign, he fortified Jerusalem and Judah; he waged a successful war against the Ammonites, whereby the Ammonites paid tribute to Judah in the amount of 100 talents of silver, 10,000 measures of both barley and wheat per year for the second and third years of his reign. Jotham’s falling short, was that he failed to remove the high places where the People held their sexual orgy religious services and burned incense to their false gods. Near to the end of his reign, Father stirred up Rezin, the king of Syria and Pekah the son of Remaliah, king of Israel, whereby both were threatening war, but didn’t actually engage until his son Ahaz was on the throne. † For the etymology of the name Jotham, we read the following in Abarim Publications: “The name Jotham consists of two elements. The first part is יו (yu), which is an abbreviated form of the Tetragrammaton יהוה, YHVH or YAHVEH. The second part of our name comes from the verb תמם (tamam), meaning to be complete: For a meaning of the name Jotham, New Open Bible Study Edition (NOBSE) Study Bible Name List has Yahveh Is Perfect and Jones’ Dictionary of Old Testament Proper Names reads The Lord Is Upright. Brown Driver Briggs (BDB) Theological Dictionary lists our name under the verb הוה (hawa), the assumed root of the name יהוה, and translates it as Yah Is Perfect.”. † Now from the Strong’s Concordance, where we fond that it is Hebrew word number: H3147, - יוֹתָם, - yôthâm, pronounced - yo-thawmי, and means: From H3068 and H8535; YHVH (is) perfect; Jotham, the name of three Israelites: - Jotham. Total KJV occurrences: 24.. † Now from the Smith’s Bible Dictionary, where we read" “YHVH is upright. The son of King Uzziah or Azariah and Jerushah. After administering the kingdom for some years during his father’s leprosy, he succeeded to the throne, when he was 25 years old, and reigned 16 years in Jerusalem. He was contemporary with Pekah and with the prophet Isaiah. His history is contained in II Kings 15:1, and II Chronicles 27:1.”.
26:22 Conclusion.
1A22
II Chronicles 26:22 Now the rest of the acts of Uzziah, first and last, did Isaiah (YAH has saved; or, salvation of YHVH) (yesh-ah-yawי-hoo) the prophet, the son of Amoz (strong; or, strong) (aw-mohtsי), write. —> This Isaiah is one in the same Prophet Isaiah who has a Book named after him. He was raised to be a Prophet during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham—Uzziah’s son and his successor as the next king of the House of Judah—Ahaz—Jotham’s son and his successor as the following king of the House of Judah— and finally Hezekiah—Ahaz’s son and his successor to the throne of the House of Judah—as we can read in Isaiah 1:1, which reads: Isaiah 1:1 The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.. He also wrote several chapters in The Book of II Kings.
Uzziah’s son Jotham took over the throne from his father between 5-7 years prior to his father Uzziah’s death; as Uzziah was no longer capable of running the Nation due to Father striking him with leprosy, and his having to be removed and placed in a seperate location so as to not infect others.
Isaiah
Isaiah=Father’s Prophet Isaiah, was the son of a man named Amoz, who rabbinical tradition says was the brother to king Uzziah’s father Amaziah—that would make Amaziah, Isaiah’s uncle and king Joash, Isaiah’s grand-father, it would also make Uzziah and Isaiah cousins. We don’t know the exact year Isaiah was born; however, we do know the approximate year in which he began receiving visions from Father and then prophesying: Isaiah 1:1 The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah., we further read in Isaiah 6:1 In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the LORD sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and His train filled the temple.. Isaiah has an entire Book named after him—The Book of the Prophet Isaiah—and it is made up of sixty-six chapters, and is a miniature Bible with its sixty-six books. There is much written by many different Biblical scholars concerning Isaiah—though I do not agree with their doctrine, they do write good information concerning Isaiah—and far too much in Father’s Word to write here; so I will post links to some of the information on Isaiah: Biblical Scholar and Theologian Herbert H. Lockyer has an excellent piece and you can read it here; Matthew G. Easton wrote a Bible Dictionary and the link for his writing on Isaiah is here. † For the etymology of the name Isaiah, we read the following in Abarim Publications: “The name Isaiah(u) consists of two parts: The final part is יה or יהו, both abbreviated forms of יהוה; YHVH or YAHVEH. The first part of the name Isaiah comes from the verb ישע (yashaי), meaning to be saved or delivered: For a meaning of the name Isaiah, New Open Bible Study Edition (NOBSE) Study Bible Name List reads Yahveh Is Salvation, Jones’ Dictionary of Old Testament Proper Names has Salvation Of The Lord. A remarkable feature of the name Isaiah is that it consists of the same two elements as the name Joshua (יהושע). The name Joshua is the Hebrew form of the Greek name Jesus, and most probably the name by which Jesus the Nazarene was known by his contemporaries.”. † Now from the Strong’s Concordance, where we find that it is Hebrew word number: H3470, - יְשַׁעְיָה,ss or יְשַׁעְיָהוּ, - yesha‛yâh, or yesha‛yâhû, pronounced - yesh-ah-yawי or yesh-ah-yawי-hoo, and means: From H3467 and H3050; YAH has saved; Jeshajah, the name of seven Israelites: - Isaiah, Jesaiah, Jeshaiah. Total KJV occurrences: 39.. † Now from the Smith’s Bible Dictionary, where we read: “Salvation of YHVH. The prophet, son of Amoz. The Hebrew name signifies Salvation of Jahu (a shortened form of Jehovah), He prophesied concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah, kings of Judah Isaiah 1:1. He was married and had two sons. Rabbinical tradition says that Isaiah, when 90 years old, was sawn asunder in the trunk of a carob tree by order of Manasseh, to which it is supposed that reference is made in Hebrews 11:37.”.
Amoz=Father of Father’s Prophet Isaiah as read in Isaiah 1:1 The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.. Rabbinical tradition says he was the brother to king Uzziah’s father Amaziah, but that cannot be confirmed in Father’s Word. Father’s Word does not provide an up-line genealogy, an age, or a history for Amoz; as such, the only thing we know of concerning him is that he was the father of Father’s Prophet. † For the etymology of the name Amoz, we read the following in Abarim Publications: “The name Amoz is identical to the adjective אמוץ ss(יamos), from the verb אמץ (יames), meaning to be or become strong: For a meaning of the name Amoz, both New Oprn Bible Study Edition (NOBSE) Study Bible Name List and Jones’Strong. Brown Driver Briggs (BDB) Theological Dictionary doesn’t translate the name Amoz but does equate it with the adjective meaning: strong.”. † Now from the Strong’s Concordance, where we find that it is Hebrew word number: H531, - אָמוֹץ, - 'âmôts, - pronounced - aw-mohtsי, and means: From H553; strong; Amots, an Israelite: - Amoz. Total KJV occurrences: 13.. † Now from the Smith’s Bible Dictionary, where we read: “Strong. Father of the prophet Isaiah, and, according to rabbinical tradition, brother of Amaziah king of Judah, II Kings 19:2,20; 20:1; Isaiah 1:1.”.
26:23 Conclusion.
1A23
II Chronicles 26:23 So Uzziah slept with his fathers, and they buried him with his fathers in the field of the burial which belongeth to the kings; for they said, “He is a leper:” and Jotham his son reigned in his stead. —> As previously noted, Uzziah reigned for a total of 52 years and died in the year 649B.C.. He had done many good things in Judah until he lost a strong prophet in Zechariah; once Father had strengthened him, and he was left to his own devices, he quickly went south and forsook Father, even to the point where as we just read, he thought he could just waltz into the Temple and burn incense, which ended up being his downfall.
When Uzziah died, they buried him in the city of David as they had all the other good kings of Judah; however, they did not bury him in the king’s sepulchers, they buried him in the field of burial, because had they buried him in the sepulchers of the kings, it would have defiled every one of those kings in the kings sepulchers.
Sept 2015, updated: Mar 2022.
This Bible Study was written by Scott Reis and is provided in order to be used as a private Bible Study Tool. Therefore, it may be copied in whole or in part and shared for private Bible Study; however, it may not be reproduced and published as an original work.
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