2 Samuel 6:7

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the anger {H639} of the LORD {H3068} was kindled {H2734} against Uzzah {H5798}; and God {H430} smote {H5221} him there for his error {H7944}; and there he died {H4191} by the ark {H727} of God {H430}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But ADONAI's anger blazed up against 'Uzah, and God struck him down on the spot for his offense, so that he died there by the ark of God.

Berean Standard Bible

And the anger of the LORD burned against Uzzah, and God struck him down on the spot for his irreverence, and he died there beside the ark of God.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
2 Samuel 6:7 records the immediate and fatal judgment of Uzzah, who died after touching the Ark of the Covenant during King David's attempt to transport it to Jerusalem. This solemn event powerfully underscores the absolute holiness of God and the severe consequences of disregarding His explicit commands concerning the sacred Ark, serving as a stark reminder that God's presence must be approached with reverence and according to His revealed will, not human presumption or good intentions.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the narrative of King David's initial, ill-fated attempt to bring the Ark of the Covenant from Abinadab's house in Kiriath-Jearim to Jerusalem, as detailed in [2 Samuel 6:1-6](/2_samuel/6-1 "David's First Attempt to Move the Ark"). The preceding verses describe the celebratory procession, the new cart, and the oxen. Uzzah's death marks a sudden, shocking interruption to the joyous occasion, leading to David's frustration, fear, and a temporary halt to the Ark's journey ([2 Samuel 6:8-11](/2_samuel/6-8 "David's Reaction and the Ark at Obed-Edom's House")). The incident forces David and Israel to confront the true nature of God's holiness and the necessity of obedience, paving the way for a second, successful attempt carried out according to divine protocol ([2 Samuel 6:12-15](/2_samuel/6-12 "David's Second, Successful Attempt")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Ark of the Covenant was the most sacred object in ancient Israel, representing God's throne, His presence among His people, and the very essence of the covenant relationship. Its construction and handling were governed by extremely strict divine mandates, particularly those found in [Exodus 25](/exodus/25 "Instructions for the Tabernacle and Ark") and [Numbers 4](/numbers/4 "Duties of the Kohathites, Gershonites, and Merarites"). Specifically, the Ark was to be carried on poles by the Kohathite Levites, and under no circumstances were unauthorized individuals to touch it, lest they die ([Numbers 4:15](/numbers/4-15 "Instructions for Carrying the Ark")). David's use of a new cart, while perhaps well-intentioned and common for transporting pagan idols, directly violated these clear instructions, demonstrating a critical misunderstanding or disregard for the unique holiness of the God of Israel and His specific demands for worship.
* **Key Themes:** The incident surrounding Uzzah's death powerfully underscores several foundational themes. Firstly, it highlights **God's absolute holiness and transcendence**, emphasizing that He is utterly distinct from His creation and cannot be approached casually or on human terms. The Ark's sanctity was a constant reminder of this divine separation. Secondly, the passage stresses the **paramount importance of obedience to God's revealed commands**, even when intentions seem good. Uzzah's act, though seemingly an attempt to prevent the Ark from falling, was a direct violation of divine law, demonstrating that human wisdom cannot supersede God's explicit instructions. Thirdly, it reveals the **serious consequences of presumptuousness and disregard for divine law**. God's immediate judgment serves as a stark warning against treating sacred things lightly and underscores that true worship must align with God's terms, not human convenience or reasoning. This event also contributes to the broader theme of David's learning process in kingship and worship, as he grapples with understanding and honoring the Lord correctly.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **anger (Hebrew, _'aph'_):** This word refers to God's righteous, holy indignation, often depicted as a flaring of the nostrils. It is not a capricious human emotion but a just response to a violation of His sacred character and commands. The kindling of God's anger signifies His immediate and severe displeasure with Uzzah's transgression against His holiness.
* **smote (Hebrew, _nakah'_):** This verb denotes a decisive, often fatal, strike or blow. In this context, it emphasizes the direct, divine agency in Uzzah's death, indicating that his demise was not an accident but a deliberate act of judgment from God.
* **error (Hebrew, _peres'_):** Translated as "error" or "fault" in some versions, the Hebrew _peres_ literally means a "breach," "breaking forth," or "breaking through." It signifies an unauthorized breaking of boundaries or a violation of a divine prohibition. Uzzah's act was not merely a mistake but a profound transgression—a "breach" of the sacred protocol that guarded the Ark's holiness, an intrusion into what was forbidden.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzzah":** This clause immediately establishes the divine perspective on Uzzah's action. God's anger was not arbitrary but a direct and righteous response to the violation of His holiness. It underscores that Uzzah's act was not a minor mishap in God's eyes but a serious offense.
* **"and God smote him there for [his] error":** This specifies the divine judgment and its cause. God Himself delivered the fatal blow, and the reason was Uzzah's "error" or "breach" (_peres_). This "breach" was his unauthorized touching of the Ark, a direct violation of the Mosaic law ([Numbers 4:15](/numbers/4-15 "Instructions for Carrying the Ark")) that strictly forbade anyone, except designated Kohathite Levites carrying it by its poles, from touching the sacred object.
* **"and there he died by the ark of God":** The tragic and immediate consequence. Uzzah's death occurred precisely where the transgression took place, by the very object whose sanctity he violated. This detail emphasizes the direct connection between his action and the divine judgment, serving as a stark warning to all who would approach God's holiness improperly.

#### Literary Devices
The narrative of Uzzah's death employs several powerful **literary devices**. The most striking is **Juxtaposition**, as the joyous, celebratory atmosphere of the procession, complete with music and dancing, is abruptly shattered by the sudden, solemn death of Uzzah. This stark contrast emphasizes the gravity of the transgression and the awe-inspiring nature of God's holiness. There is also **Irony** in Uzzah's seemingly "good intention" of steadying the Ark leading to his demise, highlighting that human reasoning and well-meaning actions cannot override divine command. The Ark itself functions as a potent **Symbolism**, representing God's very presence, His throne, and the covenant relationship; its inviolability underscores God's transcendent nature. Finally, the event serves as a form of **Foreshadowing**, hinting at the profound chasm between a holy God and sinful humanity, a gap that only a divine mediator could ultimately bridge without incurring wrath.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The incident of Uzzah's death is a profound theological statement on the nature of God's holiness and the necessity of reverent obedience. It parallels other instances in Scripture where God's immediate judgment falls upon those who treat His sacred commands or presence with irreverence or presumption. Just as Adam and Eve were cast out of Eden for their disobedience, and Nadab and Abihu were consumed by fire for offering "strange fire" ([Leviticus 10:1-2](/leviticus/10-1 "Nadab and Abihu's Unholy Fire")), Uzzah's death serves as a vivid reminder that God is not to be trifled with. His holiness is not merely an abstract concept but a consuming reality ([Hebrews 12:29](/hebrews/12-29 "God is a Consuming Fire")) that demands respect and adherence to His revealed will. This narrative underscores that God defines the terms of worship and approach, not humanity.

* [Leviticus 10:1-2](/leviticus/10-1 "Nadab and Abihu's Unholy Fire")
* [Numbers 4:15](/numbers/4-15 "Instructions for Carrying the Ark")
* [Hebrews 12:29](/hebrews/12-29 "God is a Consuming Fire")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While believers today live under the New Covenant of grace, the principles revealed in Uzzah's story remain profoundly relevant. God's character, including His absolute holiness and justice, is unchanging. This passage calls us to approach God not with fear of arbitrary judgment, but with profound reverence, humility, and a sincere desire to understand and obey His revealed will. It challenges any casualness or presumption in our worship, service, or daily walk with God. True spirituality is not about good intentions alone, but about aligning our actions with God's truth, seeking to honor Him on His terms, and recognizing the immense privilege of drawing near to Him through Christ. It encourages careful study of Scripture to discern how God desires to be honored and served, ensuring our lives reflect a deep respect for His majesty and authority.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Uzzah's story challenge our modern understanding of God's character and holiness?**
* **In what areas of our lives might we be tempted to approach God on our own terms rather than His?**
* **What does this passage teach us about the importance of understanding and obeying God's revealed will in Scripture?**

### FAQ
**Why was Uzzah's punishment so severe for what seems like a good intention?**

Answer: Uzzah's act was not merely a "good intention" but a direct and explicit violation of God's commands regarding the Ark of the Covenant. According to [Numbers 4:15](/numbers/4-15 "Instructions for Carrying the Ark"), only the Kohathite Levites were permitted to carry the Ark, and they were strictly forbidden from touching it directly; it was to be transported by poles inserted into rings. Uzzah, though a Levite, was not among the designated carriers, nor was the Ark being carried by poles. His action, while perhaps intended to prevent the Ark from falling, demonstrated a profound lack of reverence for God's holiness and a presumption that human intervention could supersede divine law. God's severity underscored the absolute sanctity of His presence and the seriousness of disregarding His revealed will, setting a foundational precedent for the nascent kingdom of Israel about the proper way to approach and worship Him. This incident, like that of [Nadab and Abihu](/leviticus/10-1 "Nadab and Abihu's Unholy Fire"), served as a stark, necessary lesson to a people prone to treating sacred things casually.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The solemn narrative of Uzzah's death powerfully illuminates the vast chasm between a holy God and sinful humanity, a chasm that the Old Covenant, with its strict laws and inaccessible Ark, could only highlight. The Ark, representing God's awesome presence, was a place of both blessing and terrifying judgment, demonstrating that no one could approach a holy God on their own terms without consequence. This stark reality foreshadows the ultimate solution found in Jesus Christ. While Uzzah died for touching the Ark, Jesus, the very embodiment of God's presence among us ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "The Word Became Flesh")), willingly allowed Himself to be "smitten" by God for our "error" and "breach" of sin ([Isaiah 53:4-6](/isaiah/53-4 "The Suffering Servant")). Through His perfect obedience and sacrificial death, Christ tore the veil that separated humanity from God, granting us direct access to the Father ([Hebrews 10:19-20](/hebrews/10-19 "Access Through Christ's Blood")). He is the true and living way, enabling us to approach a holy God not with fear of death, but with confidence and grace, because He bore the judgment that was due to us, fulfilling the very holiness the Ark represented.

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

1 Samuel 6:19

¶ And he smote the men of Bethshemesh, because they had looked into the ark of the LORD, even he smote of the people fifty thousand and threescore and ten men: and the people lamented, because the LORD had smitten [many] of the people with a great slaughter.

1 Chronicles 15:13

For because ye [did it] not at the first, the LORD our God made a breach upon us, for that we sought him not after the due order.

1 Chronicles 13:10

And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzza, and he smote him, because he put his hand to the ark: and there he died before God.

1 Corinthians 11:30

For this cause many [are] weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.

1 Corinthians 11:32

But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.

Leviticus 10:1

¶ And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the LORD, which he commanded them not.

Leviticus 10:3

¶ Then Moses said unto Aaron, This [is it] that the LORD spake, saying, I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me, and before all the people I will be glorified. And Aaron held his peace.