2 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.
Original Language Analysis
גָּבַ֤הּ
was lifted up
H1361
גָּבַ֤הּ
was lifted up
Strong's:
H1361
Word #:
2 of 16
to soar, i.e., be lofty; figuratively, to be haughty
לִבּוֹ֙
his heart
H3820
לִבּוֹ֙
his heart
Strong's:
H3820
Word #:
3 of 16
the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything
עַד
H5704
עַד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
4 of 16
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
לְהַשְׁחִ֔ית
to his destruction
H7843
לְהַשְׁחִ֔ית
to his destruction
Strong's:
H7843
Word #:
5 of 16
to decay, i.e., (causatively) ruin (literally or figuratively)
וַיִּמְעַ֖ל
for he transgressed
H4603
וַיִּמְעַ֖ל
for he transgressed
Strong's:
H4603
Word #:
6 of 16
properly, to cover up; used only figuratively, to act covertly, i.e., treacherously
יְהוָ֔ה
against the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֔ה
against the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
7 of 16
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהָ֑יו
his God
H430
אֱלֹהָ֑יו
his God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
8 of 16
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
הֵיכַ֣ל
into the temple
H1964
הֵיכַ֣ל
into the temple
Strong's:
H1964
Word #:
11 of 16
a large public building, such as a palace or temple
יְהוָ֔ה
against the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֔ה
against the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
12 of 16
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
לְהַקְטִ֖יר
to burn incense
H6999
לְהַקְטִ֖יר
to burn incense
Strong's:
H6999
Word #:
13 of 16
to smoke, i.e., turn into fragrance by fire (especially as an act of worship)
Cross References
2 Chronicles 32:25But Hezekiah rendered not again according to the benefit done unto him; for his heart was lifted up: therefore there was wrath upon him, and upon Judah and Jerusalem.Proverbs 16:18Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.2 Chronicles 25:19Thou sayest, Lo, thou hast smitten the Edomites; and thine heart lifteth thee up to boast: abide now at home; why shouldest thou meddle to thine hurt, that thou shouldest fall, even thou, and Judah with thee?Habakkuk 2:4Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.Deuteronomy 8:17And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth.Deuteronomy 8:14Then thine heart be lifted up, and thou forget the LORD thy God, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage;Colossians 2:18Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,2 Kings 14:10Thou hast indeed smitten Edom, and thine heart hath lifted thee up: glory of this, and tarry at home: for why shouldest thou meddle to thy hurt, that thou shouldest fall, even thou, and Judah with thee?Numbers 16:18And they took every man his censer, and put fire in them, and laid incense thereon, and stood in the door of the tabernacle of the congregation with Moses and Aaron.Numbers 16:7And put fire therein, and put incense in them before the LORD to morrow: and it shall be that the man whom the LORD doth choose, he shall be holy: ye take too much upon you, ye sons of Levi.
Historical Context
Uzziah's pride (c. 750 BCE) after decades of success illustrates the pattern: humble beginning → God's blessing → success → pride → fall. His leprosy confined him to isolation until death, ending his effective reign and demonstrating that God resists the proud.
Questions for Reflection
- What areas of success or strength tempt you toward pride and presumption rather than humble dependence on God?
- How can you maintain humility during seasons of blessing to avoid Uzziah's trajectory from faithfulness to pride to destruction?
Analysis & Commentary
The tragic turning point in Uzziah's reign: '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.' Strength led to pride ('heart lifted up'), and pride led to transgression - usurping priestly functions reserved for Aaron's descendants. The phrase 'to his destruction' shows pride's inevitable end. This demonstrates the spiritual danger of success and strength without accompanying humility. Uzziah's presumption - ignoring God's established order - brought leprosy (26:19-21). This warns that spiritual privilege and past faithfulness don't authorize disobedience. Christ alone perfectly combined strength with humility, never abusing His divine prerogatives.