2 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.
Original Language Analysis
וַיַּ֣עַשׂ׀
And he made
H6213
וַיַּ֣עַשׂ׀
And he made
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
1 of 24
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
בִּירֽוּשָׁלִַ֨ם
in Jerusalem
H3389
בִּירֽוּשָׁלִַ֨ם
in Jerusalem
Strong's:
H3389
Word #:
2 of 24
jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine
חִשְּׁבֹנ֜וֹת
engines
H2810
חִשְּׁבֹנ֜וֹת
engines
Strong's:
H2810
Word #:
3 of 24
a contrivance, i.e., actual (a warlike machine) or mental (a machination)
מַֽחֲשֶׁ֣בֶת
invented
H4284
מַֽחֲשֶׁ֣בֶת
invented
Strong's:
H4284
Word #:
4 of 24
a contrivance, i.e., (concretely) a texture, machine, or (abstractly) intention, plan (whether bad, a plot; or good, advice)
חוֹשֵׁ֗ב
by cunning men
H2803
חוֹשֵׁ֗ב
by cunning men
Strong's:
H2803
Word #:
5 of 24
properly, to plait or interpenetrate, i.e., (literally) to weave or (generally) to fabricate; figuratively, to plot or contrive (usually in a maliciou
לִֽהְי֤וֹת
H1961
לִֽהְי֤וֹת
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
6 of 24
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
7 of 24
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
הַמִּגְדָּלִים֙
to be on the towers
H4026
הַמִּגְדָּלִים֙
to be on the towers
Strong's:
H4026
Word #:
8 of 24
a tower (from its size or height); by analogy, a rostrum; figuratively, a (pyramidal) bed of flowers
וְעַל
H5921
וְעַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
9 of 24
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
הַפִּנּ֔וֹת
and upon the bulwarks
H6438
הַפִּנּ֔וֹת
and upon the bulwarks
Strong's:
H6438
Word #:
10 of 24
an angle; by implication, a pinnacle; figuratively, a chieftain
לִירוֹא֙
to shoot
H3384
לִירוֹא֙
to shoot
Strong's:
H3384
Word #:
11 of 24
properly, to flow as water (i.e., to rain); transitively, to lay or throw (especially an arrow, i.e., to shoot); figuratively, to point out (as if by
בַּֽחִצִּ֔ים
arrows
H2671
בַּֽחִצִּ֔ים
arrows
Strong's:
H2671
Word #:
12 of 24
properly, a piercer, i.e., an arrow; by implication, a wound; figuratively, (of god) thunder-bolt; the shaft of a spear
גְּדֹל֑וֹת
and great
H1419
גְּדֹל֑וֹת
and great
Strong's:
H1419
Word #:
14 of 24
great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
וַיֵּצֵ֤א
spread
H3318
וַיֵּצֵ֤א
spread
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
15 of 24
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
שְׁמוֹ֙
withal And his name
H8034
שְׁמוֹ֙
withal And his name
Strong's:
H8034
Word #:
16 of 24
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
עַד
H5704
עַד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
17 of 24
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
לְמֵ֣רָח֔וֹק
far abroad
H7350
לְמֵ֣רָח֔וֹק
far abroad
Strong's:
H7350
Word #:
18 of 24
remote, literally or figuratively, of place or time; specifically, precious; often used adverbially (with preposition)
כִּֽי
till
H3588
כִּֽי
till
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
19 of 24
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
הִפְלִ֥יא
for he was marvellously
H6381
הִפְלִ֥יא
for he was marvellously
Strong's:
H6381
Word #:
20 of 24
properly, perhaps to separate, i.e., distinguish (literally or figuratively); by implication, to be (causatively, make) great, difficult, wonderful
עַ֥ד
H5704
עַ֥ד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
22 of 24
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
Cross References
Matthew 4:24And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them.Exodus 31:4To devise cunning works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass,2 Chronicles 2:7Send me now therefore a man cunning to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass, and in iron, and in purple, and crimson, and blue, and that can skill to grave with the cunning men that are with me in Judah and in Jerusalem, whom David my father did provide.2 Chronicles 2:14The son of a woman of the daughters of Dan, and his father was a man of Tyre, skilful to work in gold, and in silver, in brass, in iron, in stone, and in timber, in purple, in blue, and in fine linen, and in crimson; also to grave any manner of graving, and to find out every device which shall be put to him, with thy cunning men, and with the cunning men of my lord David thy father.
Historical Context
Uzziah's long reign (c. 790-738 BCE) saw military and economic expansion. His engineering innovations and strong defenses made Judah a regional power. Yet prosperity bred the pride that led to his usurping priestly functions and resulting leprosy (26:16-21).
Questions for Reflection
- How can you maintain humble dependence on God during seasons of success and strength?
- What warning signs indicate you're moving from grateful acknowledgment of God's help toward prideful self-reliance?
Analysis & Commentary
Uzziah's success is attributed to divine help: '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.' The phrase 'marvellously helped' (nifla la'azor - wonderfully aided) credits God for Uzziah's military innovations and reputation. The temporal clause 'till he was strong' foreshadows tragedy - strength led to pride (26:16). This teaches the dangerous pattern: God's help → success → strength → pride → fall. Only those who maintain humility during success avoid this cycle. Christ perfectly received the Father's help while maintaining humble dependence.