Uzziah, King of Judah
Who was Uzziah in the Bible?
The tenth king of Judah who enjoyed a long, prosperous reign marked by military success and agricultural growth, ended by his divine punishment with leprosy for usurping priestly duties.
This is one of 5 people named Uzziah in the Bible. See all 5 →
Uzziah, also known as Azariah in the book of 2 Kings, was the tenth king of the Southern Kingdom of Judah. Ascending the throne at the age of sixteen following the assassination of his father, Amaziah, Uzziah reigned for a remarkable fifty-two years (c. 791–739 BC). His tenure is characterized by a significant restoration of Judah's regional power, vast architectural projects, and agricultural advancements that solidified the nation’s economic and defensive standing during the Divided Monarchy.
Despite his successes, Uzziah's legacy is famously marred by a late-life confrontation with the Levitical priesthood. In an act of hubris, he entered the Temple of the Lord to burn incense—a task strictly reserved for the descendants of Aaron. This defiance of divine law resulted in an immediate affliction of leprosy, leading to his isolation and the co-regency of his son, Jotham, until his death. His reign served as the chronological backdrop for the early ministries of the prophets Isaiah, Hosea, and Amos.
Background and Family
Uzziah was the son of King Amaziah and his wife Jecoliah of Jerusalem. He rose to power in a period of political instability; his father had been murdered by conspirators at Lachish, and the people of Judah chose the sixteen-year-old Uzziah to succeed him (2 Chronicles 26:1). In the Septuagint and the book of 2 Kings, he is frequently referred to as Azariah, a name likely reflecting his royal or birth identity, while Uzziah (meaning "My strength is Yahweh") may have been his throne name.
He married Jerusha, the daughter of Zadok, and they had a son named Jotham. Uzziah’s reign was one of the longest in the history of the Davidic line, spanning over five decades. For much of this time, he sought the counsel of Zechariah (a man who had understanding in the visions of God), and as long as he sought the Lord, the biblical record states that God gave him success (2 Chronicles 26:5).
Major Life Events
Military and Civil Achievements
Uzziah’s early and middle years were marked by unprecedented expansion. He defeated the Philistines, dismantling the walls of Gath, Jabneh, and Ashdod, and established Jewish settlements in Philistine territory. He also subdued the Arabians and the Meunites. The Ammonites, recognizing his dominance, paid him tribute, and his reputation for power reached as far as the border of Egypt (2 Chronicles 26:8).
Domestically, Uzziah was a master builder and an innovator. He fortified Jerusalem by building towers at the Corner Gate and the Valley Gate. In the desert, he built towers and dug many cisterns to support his vast livestock holdings, reflecting his deep personal interest in agriculture and husbandry. His military was equally modernized; he organized an army of 307,500 men and equipped them with shields, spears, helmets, and bows. Most notably, he commissioned the invention of engines of war to be placed on towers and corners to shoot arrows and large stones (2 Chronicles 26:15).
The Great Earthquake
During Uzziah’s reign, a seismic event occurred that was so significant it remained a chronological marker for centuries. The prophets Amos and Zechariah both refer to "the earthquake in the days of Uzziah" (Amos 1:1, Zechariah 14:5). While the biblical text does not detail the damage, the cultural memory of the event suggests it was a defining moment of his era, often associated by later traditions with the moment of his sacrilege in the Temple.
The Temple Incident and Leprosy
As Uzziah grew powerful, his pride led to his downfall. He entered the Holy Place of the Temple to burn incense on the altar. Azariah the High Priest, accompanied by eighty brave priests, confronted the king, reminding him that the duty belonged solely to the consecrated descendants of Aaron. Uzziah became enraged at the priests, and while he was holding the censer, leprosy broke out on his forehead in the presence of the priests (2 Chronicles 26:19). He was hurried out of the Temple—and indeed, he was eager to leave, realizing the Lord had struck him.
Relationship to Other Biblical Figures
Uzziah’s reign is the essential temporal anchor for several major prophets. Isaiah son of Amoz recorded the acts of Uzziah and received his commission in the year that King Uzziah died, seeing a vision of the Lord high and lifted up (Isaiah 6:1). The ministries of Hosea and Amos also began during his reign, contrasting the outward prosperity of the nation with its internal spiritual decay. Within his own family, his son Jotham acted as his regent during his years of isolation and eventually succeeded him, notably following his father’s righteous examples while avoiding his intrusion into the Temple (2 Chronicles 27:2).
Spiritual Significance
The life of Uzziah serves as a profound biblical warning regarding the dangers of success and the boundaries between civil and sacred authority. Though he "did what was right in the eyes of the Lord," his inability to manage his own ego resulted in a tragic end. The transition from his death to Isaiah’s vision in Isaiah 6 highlights a theological shift: while the earthly, powerful king died in a state of ritual impurity and isolation, the true King of Israel remained seated on His throne. Uzziah is also included in the genealogy of Jesus Christ in Matthew 1:8–9, confirming his place in the messianic line despite his late-life failure.
Uzziah’s significance lies in his role as a restorer of Judah’s strength during the Divided Monarchy and as a cautionary figure regarding the 'encroachment' of royal power into the divine sphere. His long reign provided a period of stability that allowed for the growth of prophetic literature, but his personal pride demonstrated that even the most successful Davidic king was subject to the Law of God and the penalties of ritual impurity.
Theologically, the 'year that King Uzziah died' marks a pivot point in Israel’s history, moving from the last great era of Davidic prosperity toward the eventual Assyrian threat. Uzziah remains a primary example of the 'good' king who failed to finish well, illustrating the biblical theme that spiritual vigilance must be maintained regardless of one's worldly achievements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Uzziah struck with leprosy?
Uzziah was struck with leprosy because he entered the Temple to perform the duties of a priest by burning incense, which was a violation of the Law given to Moses that restricted this act to the descendants of Aaron (2 Chronicles 26:18-19).
Is Uzziah the same person as Azariah?
Yes, in the book of 2 Kings (14:21, 15:1), the king is referred to as Azariah. In 2 Chronicles and the prophetic books, he is called Uzziah. Most scholars believe these are two names for the same individual, possibly a birth name and a throne name.
Who was Uzziah's son and successor?
His son was Jotham, who managed the royal palace and governed the people while Uzziah lived in isolation due to his leprosy. Jotham became king in his own right upon Uzziah's death.
How long did King Uzziah reign?
Uzziah reigned for a total of fifty-two years in Jerusalem, one of the longest reigns in the history of the Kingdom of Judah.
What technological advancements occurred during his reign?
Uzziah is credited with commissioning 'engines' or machines designed by skillful men to be used on towers and corners of the walls to shoot arrows and large stones (2 Chronicles 26:15).
Family & Relationships
Parents
Amaziah, King of JudahFather2 Chronicles 26:1Inferred
No verse states this relationship in kinship terms; Amaziah and Uzziah appear together in the cited verse.Evidence: 2 Chronicles 26:1
JecoliahMother2 Chronicles 26:3Inferred
No verse states this relationship in kinship terms; Jecoliah and Uzziah appear together in the cited verse.Evidence: 2 Chronicles 26:3
Uzziah, King of JudahThis pageChildren
Jotham, King of JudahSon2 Kings 15:30Stated
Connected Figures
Family

Father · 2 Chronicles 26:1
The ninth king of the southern Kingdom of Judah who conquered the Edomites but was later defeated and captured by King Jehoash of Israel after falling into idolatry.
Divided MonarchyFirst: 2 Kings 12:2134 versesKing of JudahJudah

Mother · 2 Chronicles 26:3
The Queen Mother of Judah during the 8th century BC and the wife of King Amaziah.
Divided MonarchyFirst: 2 Kings 15:22 versesQueen Mother of Judah

Son · 2 Kings 15:30
A righteous king of Judah who reigned for sixteen years, known for his building projects and for growing powerful by ordering his ways before the LORD.
Divided MonarchyFirst: 2 Kings 15:520 versesKing of JudahJudah
Categories
Mentions by Book
- 2 Kings12
- 1 Chronicles1
- 2 Chronicles12
- Isaiah3
- Hosea1
- Amos1
- Zechariah1
- Matthew2
Scripture References
All 33 indexed verses, in canonical order, from the Berean Standard Bible.
- 2 Kings 14:21
Then all the people of Judah took Azariah, who was sixteen years old, and made him king in place of his father Amaziah.
- 2 Kings 15:1
In the twenty-seventh year of Jeroboam’s reign over Israel, Azariah son of Amaziah became king of Judah.
- 2 Kings 15:6
As for the rest of the acts of Azariah, along with all his accomplishments, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Judah?
- 2 Kings 15:7
And Azariah rested with his fathers and was buried near them in the City of David. And his son Jotham reigned in his place.
- 2 Kings 15:8
In the thirty-eighth year of Azariah’s reign over Judah, Zechariah son of Jeroboam became king of Israel, and he reigned in Samaria six months.
- 2 Kings 15:13
In the thirty-ninth year of Uzziah’s reign over Judah, Shallum son of Jabesh became king, and he reigned in Samaria one full month.
- 2 Kings 15:17
In the thirty-ninth year of Azariah’s reign over Judah, Menahem son of Gadi became king of Israel, and he reigned in Samaria ten years.
- 2 Kings 15:23
In the fiftieth year of Azariah’s reign over Judah, Pekahiah son of Menahem became king of Israel and reigned in Samaria two years.
- 2 Kings 15:27
In the fifty-second year of Azariah’s reign over Judah, Pekah son of Remaliah became king of Israel, and he reigned in Samaria twenty years.
- 2 Kings 15:30
Then Hoshea son of Elah led a conspiracy against Pekah son of Remaliah. In the twentieth year of Jotham son of Uzziah, Hoshea attacked Pekah, killed him, and reigned in his place.
- 2 Kings 15:32
In the second year of the reign of Pekah son of Remaliah over Israel, Jotham son of Uzziah became king of Judah.
- 2 Kings 15:34
And he did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, just as his father Uzziah had done.
- 1 Chronicles 3:12
Amaziah his son, Azariah his son, Jotham his son,
- 2 Chronicles 26:1
All the people of Judah took Uzziah, who was sixteen years old, and made him king in place of his father Amaziah.
- 2 Chronicles 26:3
Uzziah was sixteen years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem fifty-two years. His mother’s name was Jecoliah; she was from Jerusalem.
- 2 Chronicles 26:8
The Ammonites brought tribute to Uzziah, and his fame spread as far as the border of Egypt, for he had become exceedingly powerful.
- 2 Chronicles 26:9
Uzziah built towers in Jerusalem at the Corner Gate, the Valley Gate, and the angle in the wall, and he fortified them.
- 2 Chronicles 26:11
Uzziah had an army ready for battle that went out to war by assigned divisions, as recorded by Jeiel the scribe and Maaseiah the officer under the direction of Hananiah, one of the royal officers.
- 2 Chronicles 26:14
Uzziah supplied the entire army with shields, spears, helmets, armor, bows, and slingstones.
- 2 Chronicles 26:18Partial
They took their stand against King Uzziah and said, “Uzziah, you have no right to offer incense to the LORD. Only the priests, the descendants of Aaron, are consecrated to burn incense. Leave the sanctuary, for you have acted unfaithfully; you will not receive honor from the LORD God.”
- 2 Chronicles 26:19
Uzziah, with a censer in his hand to offer incense, was enraged. But while he raged against the priests in their presence in the house of the LORD before the altar of incense, leprosy broke out on his forehead.
- 2 Chronicles 26:21
So King Uzziah was a leper until the day of his death. He lived in isolation, leprous and cut off from the house of the LORD, while his son Jotham had charge of the royal palace to govern the people of the land.
- 2 Chronicles 26:22
As for the rest of the acts of Uzziah, from beginning to end, they are recorded by the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz.
- 2 Chronicles 26:23
And Uzziah rested with his fathers and was buried near them in a field of burial that belonged to the kings; for the people said, “He was a leper.” And his son Jotham reigned in his place.
- 2 Chronicles 27:2
And he did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, just as his father Uzziah had done. In addition, he did not enter the temple of the LORD. But the people still behaved corruptly.
- Isaiah 1:1
This is the vision concerning Judah and Jerusalem that Isaiah son of Amoz saw during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.
- Isaiah 6:1
In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted; and the train of His robe filled the temple.
- Isaiah 7:1
Now in the days that Ahaz son of Jotham, the son of Uzziah, was king of Judah, Rezin king of Aram marched up to wage war against Jerusalem. He was accompanied by Pekah son of Remaliah the king of Israel, but he could not overpower the city.
- Hosea 1:1
This is the word of the LORD that came to Hosea son of Beeri in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, and of Jeroboam son of Jehoash, king of Israel.
- Amos 1:1
These are the words of Amos, who was among the sheepherders of Tekoa—what he saw concerning Israel two years before the earthquake, in the days when Uzziah was king of Judah and Jeroboam son of Jehoash was king of Israel.
- Zechariah 14:5
You will flee by My mountain valley, for it will extend to Azal. You will flee as you fled from the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah. Then the LORD my God will come, and all the holy ones with Him.
- Matthew 1:8
Asa was the father of Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, and Joram the father of Uzziah.
- Matthew 1:9
Uzziah was the father of Jotham, Jotham the father of Ahaz, and Ahaz the father of Hezekiah.
Others Named Uzziah
Compare all 5 bearers →Uzziah, Descendant of HarimEzra 10:21
A descendant of Harim during the Post-Exilic Period who was identified among the men who had married foreign wives and pledged to put them away.
Uzziah, Father of AthaiahNehemiah 11:4
A descendant of Judah through the line of Perez whose offspring helped repopulate Jerusalem following the Babylonian exile.
Uzziah, Father of Jonathan1 Chronicles 27:25
A man of the Divided Monarchy whose son, Jonathan, served as a high-ranking official over King David's regional storehouses.
Uzziah, Levite of the Ancestral Line1 Chronicles 6:24
A Levite of the Kohathite clan who lived during the Divided Monarchy and is recorded in the genealogical records of the Chronicler.
