(12) Chief of the fathers.--Heads of the families, or father-houses.

Of the mighty men of valour.--To wit, the mighty men of valour, in apposition with heads of the families. The army was marshalled, as of old, according to clans, or houses, the heads of which are here distinguished as "valiant heroes."

Verse 12. - Of the mighty men of valour. The "of" here is incorrect; the former sub-stautive is not necessarily in construct state, and this word has the prefix of the preposition לְ; nor is the rendering "valour" for our Hebrew text חָיִל so likely a rendering as that found in the foregoing verse, "host." Render, The whole number of the chief of the fathers in the mighty men of the host was, etc. So in the next verse. "with mighty power" will be better rendered "with the strength of a host."

26:1-15 As long as Uzziah sought the Lord, and minded religion, God made him to prosper. Those only prosper whom God makes to prosper; for prosperity is his gift. Many have owned, that as long as they sought the Lord, and kept close to their duty, they prospered; but when they forsook God, every thing went cross. God never continues either to bless the indolent or to withhold his blessing from the diligent. He will never suffer any to seek his face in vain. Uzziah's name was famed throughout all the neighbouring countries. A name with God and good people makes truly honourable. He did not delight in war, nor addict himself to sports, but delighted in husbandry.The whole number of the chief of the fathers of the mighty men of valour were two thousand six hundred. Who were the commanders and principal officers of his army; and such a number supposed a large army, as follows.