Uzziah עֻזִּיָּהוּ
King of Judah, reigned 52 years
Who is Uzziah in the Bible?
Uzziah, also called Azariah, was a king of Judah who reigned for 52 years (2 Chronicles 26:3). He became king at age 16 and initially sought God and prospered greatly, achieving military victories against the Philistines and Arabs, fortifying Jerusalem with towers, and building a strong army (2 Chronicles 26:8-14). However, his success led to pride, and when he attempted to burn incense in the temple, a duty reserved for priests, God struck him with leprosy as punishment, which he suffered until his death (2 Chronicles 26:18-21). Uzziah was a contemporary of the prophets Isaiah, Amos, and Hosea (Isaiah 1:1, Amos 1:1, Hosea 1:1), and his reign is significant as a cautionary example of how pride can cause even a prosperous and initially faithful ruler to fall away from God's commandments.
Biography
Uzziah, also called Azariah, was a king of Judah who reigned for 52 years. He became king at the age of 16 and did what was right in God's sight, seeking Him during the days of Zechariah. God made him prosper, and he had success in wars against the Philistines and Arabs. Uzziah built towers and fortified Jerusalem, assembled a well-equipped army, and developed agricultural projects. However, when he became strong, pride led to his downfall. He entered the temple to burn incense, a task reserved for priests, and God struck him with leprosy until his death. Uzziah was a contemporary of the prophets Isaiah, Amos, and Hosea. He is also included in the genealogy of Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew.
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In Scripture
8 biblical books ; 3 with study content2 Kings 5 verses
- 2 Kings 15:13
"In the thirty-ninth year of Uzziah’s reign over Judah, Shallum son of Jabesh became king, and he reigned in Samaria one full month."
- 2 Kings 15:30
"Then Hoshea son of Elah led a conspiracy against Pekah son of Remaliah. In the twentieth year of Jotham son of Uzziah, Hoshea attacked Pekah, killed him, and reigned in his place."
- 2 Kings 15:32
"In the second year of the reign of Pekah son of Remaliah over Israel, Jotham son of Uzziah became king of Judah."
- 2 Kings 15:34
"And he did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, just as his father Uzziah had done."
- 2 Kings 14:21
"Then all the people of Judah took Azariah, who was sixteen years old, and made him king in place of his father Amaziah."
2 Chronicles 5 verses
- 2 Chronicles 26:1
"All the people of Judah took Uzziah, who was sixteen years old, and made him king in place of his father Amaziah."
- 2 Chronicles 26:3
"Uzziah was sixteen years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem fifty-two years. His mother’s name was Jecoliah; she was from Jerusalem."
- 2 Chronicles 26:8
"The Ammonites brought tribute to Uzziah, and his fame spread as far as the border of Egypt, for he had become exceedingly powerful."
- 2 Chronicles 26:9
"Uzziah built towers in Jerusalem at the Corner Gate, the Valley Gate, and the angle in the wall, and he fortified them."
- 2 Chronicles 26:11
"Uzziah had an army ready for battle that went out to war by assigned divisions, as recorded by Jeiel the scribe and Maaseiah the officer under the direction of Hananiah, one of the royal officers."
Isaiah 3 verses
- Isaiah 1:1
"This is the vision concerning Judah and Jerusalem that Isaiah son of Amoz saw during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah."
Study Isaiah → - Isaiah 6:1
"In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted; and the train of His robe filled the temple."
Study Isaiah → - Isaiah 7:1
"Now in the days that Ahaz son of Jotham, the son of Uzziah, was king of Judah, Rezin king of Aram marched up to wage war against Jerusalem. He was accompanied by Pekah son of Remaliah the king of Israel, but he could not overpower the city."
Study Isaiah →
Hosea 1 verse
- Hosea 1:1
"This is the word of the LORD that came to Hosea son of Beeri in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, and of Jeroboam son of Jehoash, king of Israel."
Study Hosea →
Amos 1 verse
- Amos 1:1
"These are the words of Amos, who was among the sheepherders of Tekoa—what he saw concerning Israel two years before the earthquake, in the days when Uzziah was king of Judah and Jeroboam son of Jehoash was king of Israel."
Zechariah 1 verse
- Zechariah 14:5
"You will flee by My mountain valley, for it will extend to Azal. You will flee as you fled from the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah. Then the LORD my God will come, and all the holy ones with Him."
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | עֻזִּיָּהוּ | Uzzijah , the name of five Israelites |
| Named | Hebrew | עֲזַרְיָה | — |
| Spelled | Hebrew | עֲזַרְיָ֫הוּ | — |
| Greek | Greek | Ὀζίας | — |