Log inSign up

2 Chronicles 26 · a question people ask

What does "his heart was lifted up" mean for Uzziah?

In the text

The verse says what it led to: "But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up, so that he did corruptly and he trespassed against the LORD his God, for he went into the LORD’s temple to burn incense on the altar of incense" (26:16) (tap lifted up). In Hebrew lifted up is gavah, with libbo, his heart: the same words as of Jehoshaphat, "His heart was lifted up in the ways of the LORD" (17:6), and of Hezekiah, "because his heart was lifted up" (32:25). Chapter 17's honest question sets the three verses side by side. Brown-Driver-Briggs gives the verb as "be high, exalted", and Strong's as "to soar, i.e. be lofty; figuratively, to be haughty". For Uzziah, 26:16 itself joins the lifted heart to doing corruptly and trespassing against the LORD. Of Hezekiah the book says, "Hezekiah humbled himself for the pride of his heart" (32:26).

The verses

“But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up, so that he did corruptly and he trespassed against the LORD his God, for he went into the LORD’s temple to burn incense on the altar of incense.”
2 Chronicles 26:16 · World English Bible
“His heart was lifted up in the ways of the LORD. Furthermore, he took away the high places and the Asherah poles out of Judah.”
2 Chronicles 17:6 · World English Bible
“But Hezekiah didn’t reciprocate appropriate to the benefit done for him, because his heart was lifted up. Therefore there was wrath on him, Judah, and Jerusalem. However, Hezekiah humbled himself for the pride of his heart, both he and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the LORD’s wrath didn’t come on them in the days of Hezekiah.”
2 Chronicles 32:25-26 · World English Bible

From Favor's study of 2 Chronicles 26

2 Chronicles 26: Helped until he was strong

2 Kings says only, "The LORD struck the king" (2 Kings 15:5). 2 Chronicles tells what came before: a king who "was marvelously helped until he was strong" (26:15) went into the temple to burn incense, and the leprosy broke out on his forehead "beside the altar of incense" (26:19).

In Favor, questions like this come up right where they arise as you read, with the Hebrew and Greek behind the words and how the chapter leads to Jesus.

Start your free week2 Chronicles 26 Bible study

First week free, then $10 a month per person

More questions about 2 Chronicles 26

All questions about 2 Chronicles →

The best way to learn the Bible

Favor opens up every chapter as you read.

Favor is a Bible study app for your phone or computer. It takes you through the Bible one chapter at a time, a few minutes a day, and shows you what's really there: the words behind the words, the moments most people miss, and how the whole story fits together. For you. For everyone.

  • Every chapter explains itself

    As you read, short notes open up what's really going on, the details most readers walk past, and the honest questions people ask.

  • The Hebrew and Greek behind it

    Tap a highlighted word to see the original, how to say it, and what it means, checked against the original-language texts.

  • Every page leads to Jesus

    Watch promises made in Genesis kept in Jesus. Each line lights up on your map as you read.

  • Better together

    Read on your own, or start a Bible study with friends, family or your church. Answers stay sealed until you meet, then appear together.

  1. 1

    Start your free week

    Sign up in a minute with your email.

  2. 2

    Read a few minutes a day

    Each chapter opens itself up as you go. Tap what you're curious about.

  3. 3

    Bring your people, if you like

    Send one link. Everyone reads the same chapter, then meets to talk.

Start your free week

First week free, then $10 a month per person

Questions like this, in every chapter

The best way to learn the Bible. For you. For everyone.

There's a seat for you at the table.

Start your free week

First week free, then $10 a month per person · Log in

Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Every answer cites the verses it rests on. What we believe · All Bible questions