Book of 2 Chronicles - Chapter 26 - Verse 20

When Azariah the chief priest and all the other priests looked upon him, they saw that he was leprous on his forehead. Leprosy was a serious skin disease in ancient times and was often associated with being unclean or sinful. In this context, the man's leprosy was seen as a punishment from the Lord. The priests wasted no time in thrusting him out from their presence, and the man himself hurried to leave, as he knew he had been smitten by the Lord. This verse serves as a reminder of the consequences of disobeying the Lord and the importance of staying in His favor. It also highlights the swift and harsh judgment that can come upon those who do not follow God's commandments. The man's leprosy symbolizes his sin and serves as a warning to others to remain obedient and faithful to the Lord.

When exploring the theological interpretation of the verse where Azariah the chief priest and the other priests discover King Uzziah's leprosy, we can see the consequences of Uzziah's disobedience to God's commands. Leprosy in the Bible is often seen as a physical manifestation of a spiritual condition, symbolizing sin and impurity. In this case, Uzziah's pride and presumption in entering the temple to burn incense, a duty reserved for the priests, brought about God's judgment in the form of leprosy. This event serves as a reminder of the holiness of God and the importance of obeying His commands. The word "smitten" in this verse further emphasizes the severity of God's judgment on Uzziah for his disobedience. It highlights that God's justice is swift and decisive when His laws are broken. The actions of the priests in immediately removing Uzziah from the temple demonstrate the seriousness of sin and the need for repentance. Overall, this verse serves as a powerful illustration of the consequences of disobedience and the importance of remaining faithful to God's will.