And Azariah the chief priest, and all the priests, looked at him: For the chief priest, see the comments on 2 Chr 19.11. Good News Translation leaves this phrase implied, but it renders all the priests as “the other priests” to show that Azariah was a priest. However, there is no obvious reason not to include the words the chief priest since this information is not given in the immediate context. The Hebrew verb phrase translated looked at him is literally “turned toward him” (Anchor Bible, Dillard). But the Hebrew verb here in some contexts means “to turn one’s attention to,” so New American Bible says “examined him,” and Complete Jewish Bible has “stared at him” (similarly Good News Translation).

And behold, he was leprous in his forehead!: The Hebrew focusing particle rendered behold calls special attention to the astonishing fact that leprosy had appeared suddenly on the forehead of the king. Revised Standard Version indicates the sense of astonishment expressed by the Hebrew particle here by using an exclamation point.

And they thrust him out quickly: In verse 18, before the appearance of the frightful skin disease, the priests had simply told the king to leave the Temple; but now “they hurried him out” (New Century Version), recognizing the defilement that such a diseased person would bring to the Temple.

And he himself hastened to go out: These words show that the king himself recognized the gravity of the situation. In this clause the Hebrew expression for he himself is emphatic and may be translated “even he” or “the king himself” (New Living Translation).

Because the LORD had smitten him: The verb smitten is translated “struck” in New Revised Standard Version, but the implication is that in striking Uzziah with this disease, Yahweh was punishing him. Good News Translation makes this explicit by saying “because the LORD had punished him.”

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Chronicles, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2014. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .