Uzziah
Uzziah (עֻזִּיָּהוּ in Hebrew, meaning Yahweh is my strength; Greek: Οζίας; Latin: Ozias), also known as Azariah (עֲזַרְיָה in Hebrew; Greek: Αζαρις; Latin: Azarias), was the king of the ancient Kingdom of Judah, and one of King Amaziah's sons, whom the people chose to rule after his father (2 Kings 14:21; 2 Chronicles 26:1). He was 16 years old when he became king of Judah[1] and ruled for 52 years. He "did that which was right in the sight of the Lord" (2 Kings 15:3; 2 Chronicles 26:4-5). According to the Bible, at first he was a good king and had great success. His fields and vineyards grew well, he dug many wells and towers in the desert, he defeated his enemies with a strong army, and he became very powerful.[2] A seal with Uzziah's name has been found in a cistern at Tell Beit Mirsim.[2]
However, he grew proud, and entered the temple of the LORD to burn incense on the altar of incense (2 Chronicles 26:15-16).[2] Azariah the priest with 80 other priests came to him and said, "Leave...for you have been unfaithful...you will not be honored by the LORD God".[2] Uzziah became angry, but while "...he was raging at the priests...leprosy broke out on his forehead", and he "...had leprosy until the day he died".[2] Because of this, his son Jotham ruled the palace and the people of the land.[2] He died and was buried in a field that belonged to the kings.[2] Probably because of his leprosy, Uzziah was buried in a cemetery belonging to the kings, but not in the tombs of the kings.
Uzziah Media
Gravestone of King Uzziah in Jerusalem
A depiction of the earthquake in the Book of Amos; Illuminated Bible from the 1220s, National Library of Portugal
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References
- ↑ 2 Kings 14:21
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 The NIV Study Bible. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan Publishing House. 1995. ISBN 0310925886.
| Preceded by Amaziah of Judah |
King of Judah Coregency: 791–768 BC; Sole reign: 767–751 BC Leprous: 751–740 BC |
Succeeded by Jotham of Judah |