Page 273 - ירושלים: גיליון רפואי

reason of the sickness, day by day” (2 Chronicles 21:12–15). Elijah’s prophecies are fulfilled,
the Philistines and Arabians attack the Kingdom of Judah and the royal house, and Jehoram
falls sick and dies.

In many instances there is a clear connection between leprosy and death, even when the
disease is not regarded as a punishment. Such is the case with Uzziah, for example. In the Book
of Kings he is described as a righteous king, and there is no conflict between his righteousness
and the tragic fact that God afflicted him with leprosy, since the reason for all things lies with
God. Yet as always, the Chronicler cannot come to terms with a pious king being afflicted by
disease, and seeks justification. In the Bible, leprosy is clearly a punishment for those who
refuse to submit to a higher entity. The Chronicler, who shows special interest in the Holy
Temple in Jerusalem and its priesthood, states that in his arrogance, Uzziah did not recognize
the priestly authority and attempted to behave like a priest: “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 temple of the Lord to burn incense upon the altar of incense” (2 Chronicles 26:16). As
punishment for his arrogance, he is struck down with leprosy.

Whereas the miracle of Uzziah’s leprosy is a form of punishment – a miracle of the negative
kind – the tale of King Hezekiah’s recovery is a positive miracle. As well as appearing in the
Book of Kings and in Isaiah, the story of King Hezekiah’s sickness and recovery is also alluded
to in Chronicles. The Book of Kings tells the story of Hezekiah’s illness and the prophecy that
he is about to die (2 Kings 20:1–2). However, as a result of his prayers Hezekiah is miraculously
cured by a change in God’s will: “And Isaiah said: ‘Take a cake of figs.’ And they took and laid
it on the boil, and he recovered” (2 Kings 20:7). In the Book of Kings’ version of the story,
Hezekiah asks for a sign from God to prove that he has recovered, and his wish is granted: “And
Isaiah the prophet cried unto the Lord; and he brought the shadow ten degrees backward, by
which it had gone down on the dial of Ahaz” (2 Kings 20:11); in the Isaiah version, however,
which dates from a later period, the prophet Isaiah is the one who suggests a sign to the
king: “And this shall be a sign unto thee from the Lord, that the Lord will do this thing that
he hath spoken” (Isaiah 38:7–8). According to this version, it is wrong to ask God for a sign
and to test His power. In the version in Chronicles, it is God who is testing Hezekiah. He cures
him of his disease and gives him a sign. However, when the Babylonian ambassadors arrive
to view proof and witness the Lord’s greatness, Hezekiah boasts of his own greatness and
shows them “all his treasure-house” (2 Kings 20:13); in his arrogance, Hezekiah fails the test
the Lord has set him.

Wherever it tells the story about the kings’ diseases, the Book of Chronicles emphasizes
the doctrine of retribution. Asa, Jehoram, and Uzziah all fell sick because of their sins while
Hezekiah, although he is saved and healed, also commits the sin of pride and punishment is
not long in coming: “Therefore there was wrath upon him, and upon Judah and Jerusalem” (2
Chronicles 32:25).

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