Uzziah

Azariah (Hebrew עוזיהו ) in the book of 2 Kings, 2 Chronicles, Uzziah in the book; was king of Judah. His reign is to the years 783-742 BC ( Albright ) or 767-740 BC ( Thiele ) dated.

The biblical Azariah / Uzziah

In the Bible, different information is available regarding the name of this king, which are totally different in their meaning.

Azariah in the book of 2 Kings

In the 27th year of the reign of Jeroboam II Azariah was 16 years old king of Judah ( 2 Kgs. 15.1 ). He reigned 52 years in Jerusalem, the people sacrificed more in the mountains. YHWH was Azariah ill with leprosy, even though his actions were viewed positively by YHWH ( 2 Kgs. 15.2 to 5 ). On the basis of leprosy him a special place has been assigned. His son Jotham was the government transferred ( 2 Kgs. 15:5). Azariah was buried in the city of David with his fathers. Jotham was appointed in 2.Regierungsjahr Pekah the new king ( 2 Kgs. 15.32 and 15.7 ). From the biblical tradition does not state in which year of the reign of Azariah / Uzziah he took over the tasks of government.

Uzziah in the Book of 2 Chronicles

In the books of Chronicles Azariah is called Uzziah.

Uzziah was 16 years old when he became king. Uzziah was able to win the battles against the Philistines, and took Gath, Yavneh ( Jamnia Bibl ) and Ashdod. Later he built in the territory of Ashdod and other cities in the land of the Philistines ( 2 Chron 26.6 to 7 ). Also, he was able to defeat the Arabs and Mehunims and made Ammon tribute. His victories made ​​him known to Egypt ( 2 Chron.26, 9). Other buildings in Jerusalem and in the wilderness followed. The army strength was expanded to 300,000 men ( 2 Chron 26.10 to 13 ). Due to his growing self-confidence, he also took over priestly duties that do not actually due to him. A priest named Azariah, along with eighty other priests told him to not perform religious rites themselves, as this is the task of the priests ( 2 Chron 26.17 to 18 ). Uzziah did not listen to the call of the priest what YHWH caused to punish Uzziah with leprosy ( 2 Chron 26.19 to 20 ).

After isolation, because of leprosy Jotham his son took over the tasks of government ( 2 Chron 26:21 ). Although he was buried with his fathers, but away from the other graves, because he still had not recovered from the leprosy even in his death ( 2.Chron. 26,23 ). It can not be ruled out that the author of 2 Chronicles, the disease exegetical added only later.

Historical Sources

The name Azariah immersed in inscriptions of Tiglath -pileser III. by 740 BC on. He is mentioned as a usurper who of Tiglathpileser III. was captured.

Caused a sensation in a Fund, which, according to his inscription " Uzziah grave plate " showed. The contents of the inscription is provided with a warning sign, in which explicitly pointed out that the grave must not be opened. It is a grave plate completed a secondary grave and was dated by historians to the first half of the 1st century AD.

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