1 Chronicles 13:11

KJV

And David was displeased, because the LORD had made a breach upon Uzza: wherefore that place is called Perezuzza to this day.

KJV (with Strong's)

And David {H1732} was displeased {H2734}, because the LORD {H3068} had made {H6555} a breach {H6556} upon Uzza {H5798}: wherefore that place {H4725} is called {H7121} Perezuzza {H6560} to this day {H3117}.

Complete Jewish Bible

It upset David that ADONAI had broken out against 'Uza; that place has been called Peretz-'Uza [breaking-out of 'Uza] ever since.

Berean Standard Bible

Then David became angry because the LORD had burst forth against Uzzah; so he named that place Perez-uzzah, as it is called to this day.

American Standard Version

And David was displeased, because Jehovah had broken forth upon Uzza: and he called that place Perez-uzza, unto this day.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Chronicles 13:11 records King David's profound displeasure and emotional distress following the Lord's sudden and fatal judgment upon Uzza. This tragic incident occurred during the initial, flawed attempt to transport the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem, resulting in the site being named Perezuzza, meaning "breach of Uzza," as a permanent memorial to the divine intervention and the severe consequences of disregarding God's sacred commands and holiness.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is deeply embedded within the narrative of David's earnest, yet initially misinformed, efforts to establish Jerusalem as the spiritual and political capital of Israel by bringing the Ark of the Covenant there. The preceding verses [1 Chronicles 13:7-10](/1_chronicles/13-7-10 "1 Chronicles 13:7-10 - Uzza's Fatal Error") detail the celebratory procession, the Ark's placement on a new cart (a deviation from Mosaic law), and Uzza's fatal error of reaching out to steady it. Immediately following this verse, [1 Chronicles 13:12-14](/1_chronicles/13-12-14 "1 Chronicles 13:12-14 - The Ark Diverted to Obed-Edom's House") describes David's fear and his decision to halt the Ark's journey, diverting it to the house of Obed-Edom, where it remained for three months. The Chronicler's account, which closely parallels [2 Samuel 6](/2_samuel/6 "2 Samuel 6 - David Brings the Ark to Jerusalem"), emphasizes the critical importance of proper worship and strict adherence to God's prescribed methods, serving as a pivotal moment that compels David and the nation to confront God's absolute holiness.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Ark of the Covenant was the preeminent symbol of God's presence and covenant with Israel, functioning as His earthly throne. Its handling was meticulously prescribed by Mosaic Law, specifically requiring it to be carried on the shoulders of Kohathite Levites using poles inserted into its rings ([Exodus 25:12-15](/exodus/25-12-15 "Exodus 25:12-15 - Instructions for the Ark's Poles") and [Numbers 4:15](/numbers/4-15 "Numbers 4:15 - Levites to Carry the Ark")). David's decision to transport the Ark on a new cart, while perhaps well-intentioned and efficient, and possibly influenced by the Philistines' method of returning the Ark ([1 Samuel 6:7-8](/1_samuel/6-7-8 "1 Samuel 6:7-8 - The Philistines Return the Ark")), directly violated these divine commands. In the ancient Near East, the concept of divine holiness and the strict protocols for approaching deities were widely understood. The sudden death of Uzza underscored that God's holiness was not merely a theological abstraction but a profound reality demanding meticulous adherence to His revealed will, especially concerning the symbols of His presence and the manner of His worship.
* **Key Themes:** The incident of Uzza's death and David's reaction in [1 Chronicles 13](/1_chronicles/13 "1 Chronicles 13 - David's First Attempt to Bring the Ark") powerfully articulates several key theological themes. Foremost is the **absolute holiness and sovereignty of God**, demonstrating that He is not to be approached casually or on human terms, but solely on His own prescribed terms. This event underscores the **consequences of disobedience**, even when intentions may seem good or practical. Uzza's action, though perhaps an instinctive attempt to prevent the Ark from falling, was a direct violation of God's command not to touch the Ark, revealing a profound lack of proper reverence and understanding of its sacredness. David's "displeasure" highlights the human struggle to reconcile divine judgment with human understanding, ultimately leading to a deeper lesson in **reverence and humble submission** to God's ways. The naming of "Perezuzza" serves as a lasting **memorial to divine judgment** and a perpetual reminder of the gravity of God's commands and the importance of reverent obedience.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **displeased (Hebrew, _ḥārâh'_):** The Hebrew verb H2734 (חָרָה, _ḥārâh_) literally means "to glow or grow warm," and figuratively, "to blaze up" with anger, zeal, or jealousy. In this context, it describes David's intense emotional reaction. It signifies a profound inner burning, reflecting not necessarily anger at God, but a complex mixture of shock, grief, frustration that his well-intentioned plan had gone tragically awry, and perhaps even fear and confusion regarding the unexpected severity of God's judgment. It powerfully conveys a human struggle to comprehend divine justice and holiness.
* **breach (Hebrew, _pereṣ'_):** The Hebrew noun H6556 (פֶּרֶץ, _pereṣ_) denotes "a break," "a breaking forth," or "a gap." It describes a sudden, violent, and often destructive breaking through of a barrier or a sudden outpouring. Here, it vividly portrays the immediate, forceful, and decisive nature of God's judgment upon Uzza, emphasizing that it was a direct, divine intervention that "burst forth" against him, creating a sudden rupture in life.
* **Perezuzza (Hebrew, _pereṣ ‘uzzā’'_):** This is a compound place name, H6560 (פֶּרֶץ עֻזָּא, _pereṣ ‘uzzā’_), directly derived from the Hebrew words for "breach" and "Uzza." It literally means "breach of Uzza" or "the bursting forth against Uzza." The naming of the place served as an etiological marker, permanently commemorating the site of God's judgment and ensuring that the event and its profound lesson about divine holiness and human accountability would not be forgotten by future generations.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And David was displeased":** This clause reveals King David's immediate and profound emotional response to the sudden death of Uzza. His "displeasure" (or "anger" in some translations) was a complex emotional state, likely encompassing shock, deep grief for Uzza, frustration that his grand and well-intentioned project to bring the Ark to Jerusalem had been tragically interrupted, and perhaps even fear or confusion regarding the seemingly harsh and unexpected divine judgment. It underscores the human difficulty in fully grasping God's absolute holiness and the strictness of His commands, especially when viewed through the lens of human compassion or logic.
* **"because the LORD had made a breach upon Uzza":** This phrase unequivocally attributes Uzza's death to a direct act of divine judgment. The "breach" (H6556, _pereṣ_) signifies a sudden, decisive, and forceful intervention from God. Uzza's action of touching the Ark, even if an instinctive attempt to stabilize it, was a direct violation of God's explicit command that only Levites from the family of Kohath could carry the Ark, and even they were forbidden to touch it directly or look upon it ([Numbers 4:15](/numbers/4-15 "Numbers 4:15 - Levites to Carry the Ark")). God's immediate and severe response underscores the gravity of His holiness and the dire consequences of treating sacred things lightly or disregarding His specific, revealed instructions for worship and service.
* **"wherefore that place is called Perezuzza to this day":** This concluding clause explains the origin of the place name, "Perezuzza" (H6560, _pereṣ ‘uzzā’_), which literally means "breach of Uzza." The naming served as a permanent memorial, ensuring that the location would forever be associated with this profound divine judgment. It functioned as a constant, tangible reminder to Israel of the absolute holiness of God, the seriousness of His commands, and the vital importance of approaching Him in the precise manner He prescribes, rather than according to human innovation, convenience, or well-meaning but disobedient actions.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several significant **literary devices**. The most prominent is **Etiology**, as the verse explicitly explains the origin of the place name "Perezuzza," directly linking it to the "breach" or divine judgment upon Uzza. This etiological naming serves to memorialize the event, ensuring its lasting impact and lesson for future generations. There is also an element of **Irony** in David's initial attempt to bring the Ark; though motivated by good intentions to centralize worship and honor God, it was executed in a manner that disregarded God's explicit instructions, leading to tragic consequences. This highlights the tension between human zeal and divine precision. Furthermore, the Ark itself functions as powerful **Symbolism** of God's holy presence, emphasizing that it is not merely an object but a representation of the unapproachable, transcendent nature of the Almighty, demanding utmost reverence and adherence to His established protocols. The phrase "to this day" functions as a **Formulaic Expression**, common in historical narratives to attest to the enduring truth and memory of the event described.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The incident at Perezuzza is a stark reminder of God's absolute holiness and the necessity of approaching Him on His terms, not our own. It teaches that while good intentions may be present, they do not supersede God's revealed will or negate the consequences of disobedience to His specific commands. God's judgment on Uzza was not arbitrary but a demonstration of His unwavering commitment to His own purity and the sanctity of His presence, serving as a powerful object lesson for all Israel about the reverence due to Him. This event underscores that God's nature is consistent; His holiness demands respect and obedience, and His justice ensures that His divine order is upheld, even at a cost. It foreshadows the need for a perfect mediator and a new covenant where access to God is granted through divine provision.

* [Numbers 4:15](/numbers/4-15 "Numbers 4:15 - Levites to Carry the Ark")
* [Leviticus 10:1-2](/leviticus/10-1-2 "Leviticus 10:1-2 - Nadab and Abihu's Unholy Fire")
* [1 Chronicles 15:13](/1_chronicles/15-13 "1 Chronicles 15:13 - David's Corrected Approach to the Ark")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The challenging narrative of Uzza and Perezuzza offers profound and enduring lessons for believers today. It compels us to critically examine our own approach to God, reminding us that while we now live under a covenant of grace, the foundational truth of God's absolute holiness remains immutable. We are called to cultivate a deep and abiding sense of reverence for God, not merely out of fear, but out of a profound respect for His character, His infinite wisdom, and the supreme authority of His Word. This means diligently seeking to understand and obey His commands, rather than relying on our own ideas of what is good, convenient, or expedient. The passage challenges us to consider if we, like Uzza, might be treating God's sacred things—His Word, His church, our worship, His name, His mission—with a casualness or presumption that borders on irreverence. David's subsequent learning from this tragedy, leading him to properly transport the Ark according to God's instructions, models the vital importance of humility, repentance, and a willingness to align our actions and worship precisely with God's revealed will.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the account of Uzza challenge our modern tendency to approach God on our own terms, rather than diligently seeking and adhering to His prescribed ways?**
* **In what specific areas of our lives, service, or corporate worship might we be operating with "good intentions" but without careful and humble adherence to God's revealed Word?**
* **What does "reverence" for God truly mean in a contemporary context, and how can we actively cultivate it more deeply in our personal and communal spiritual practices?**
* **How does David's reaction to this tragedy and his subsequent correction inform our own response when we encounter difficult, seemingly harsh, or challenging truths about God's character or judgment in Scripture?**

### FAQ
**Why was Uzza's punishment so severe for what seemed like a well-intentioned act?**

Answer: Uzza's punishment was severe because it constituted a direct and blatant violation of God's explicit commands regarding the handling of the Ark of the Covenant. The Ark was the most sacred object in Israel, symbolizing God's holy presence, and specific instructions were given in the Mosaic Law (e.g., [Numbers 4:15](/numbers/4-15 "Numbers 4:15 - Levites to Carry the Ark")) that only certain Levites (the Kohathites) could carry it by poles, and no one, not even those Levites, was permitted to touch the Ark itself. Uzza's act, though perhaps an instinctive attempt to stabilize the Ark, demonstrated a profound disregard for God's holiness and the sanctity of His commands. God's immediate judgment served as a powerful object lesson, not just for Uzza, but for David and all Israel, emphasizing that God's holiness is absolute and that His commands are not arbitrary suggestions but require meticulous obedience. It prevented a casual or irreverent approach to God's presence from becoming normalized, thereby safeguarding the integrity of Israel's worship and their understanding of God's nature.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The severity of God's judgment at Perezuzza, though a difficult passage, powerfully underscores the unapproachable holiness of God under the Old Covenant—a holiness that humanity, marred by sin, could not directly encounter without peril. This incident, therefore, deepens our appreciation for the New Covenant, where the "breach" between a holy God and sinful humanity has been definitively healed, not by human effort or adherence to rituals, but by the perfect life, atoning death, and glorious resurrection of Jesus Christ. Jesus is the ultimate [Ark of God's presence](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh"), the very embodiment of God dwelling among us, yet unlike the physical Ark, He invites us to draw near. The strict protocols and the fear associated with touching the Old Covenant Ark are superseded by the invitation to approach God with confidence through the shed blood of Christ ([Hebrews 4:16](/hebrews/4-16 "Hebrews 4:16 - Approach the Throne of Grace with Confidence")). While God's holiness remains eternally unchanged, our access to Him is profoundly transformed. Uzza's death highlights the gravity of sin and the absolute necessity of a perfect mediator. Christ, the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), bore the "breach" of God's righteous wrath against sin on the cross, making a new and living way for us to enter into a reconciled relationship with a holy God, not through our own flawed efforts or "good intentions," but through faith in His perfect obedience and substitutionary sacrifice ([Romans 5:1-2](/romans/5-1-2 "Romans 5:1-2 - Peace with God Through Faith")). The lesson of Perezuzza, then, is not to fear God in a way that keeps us distant, but to marvel at the boundless grace that allows us to draw near, always remembering the immense cost of that access and the unblemished holiness of the One we worship ([Hebrews 10:19-22](/hebrews/10-19-22 "Hebrews 10:19-22 - Confidence to Enter the Most Holy Place")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

2 Samuel 6:7

And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzzah; and God smote him there for [his] error; and there he died by the ark of God.

Jonah 4:4

Then said the LORD, Doest thou well to be angry?

Genesis 32:32

Therefore the children of Israel eat not [of] the sinew which shrank, which [is] upon the hollow of the thigh, unto this day: because he touched the hollow of Jacob's thigh in the sinew that shrank.

Jonah 4:9

And God said to Jonah, Doest thou well to be angry for the gourd? And he said, I do well to be angry, [even] unto death.

Deuteronomy 34:6

And he buried him in a valley in the land of Moab, over against Bethpeor: but no man knoweth of his sepulchre unto this day.

Joshua 4:9

And Joshua set up twelve stones in the midst of Jordan, in the place where the feet of the priests which bare the ark of the covenant stood: and they are there unto this day.

2 Samuel 6:9

And David was afraid of the LORD that day, and said, How shall the ark of the LORD come to me?