The Hebrew word ʻUzzâʼ, represented by H5798, is a feminine form of a word for strength. It appears 14 times across 14 unique verses and is used as the name for five different Israelites in scripture. While its root means strength, the name is most famously associated with a narrative that demonstrates the consequences of human error in the presence of divine holiness.
In biblical history, the name H5798 is most prominent in the account of the transportation of the Ark of God. Uzzah H5798, a son of Abinadab H41, was driving the new H2319 cart H5699 on which the ark H727 was placed (2 Samuel 6:3, 1 Chronicles 13:7). When the oxen H1241 stumbled, Uzzah H5798 put his hand H3027 on the ark H727 to steady it (2 Samuel 6:6, 1 Chronicles 13:9). For this act, the anger H639 of the LORD H3068 was kindled H2734 against him, and God H430 smote H5221 him for his error H7944, causing him to die H4191 there 2 Samuel 6:7. The name is also associated with a burial location, "the garden H1588 of Uzza H5798," where King Manasseh H4519 and his son Amon H526 were buried H6912 (2 Kings 21:18, 2 Kings 21:26).
Several related words are crucial for understanding the contexts in which ʻUzzâʼ H5798 appears:
- H727 ʼârôwn (ark): This is the sacred object at the center of the primary narrative involving Uzzah. His fatal mistake was touching the ark H727 of God 2 Samuel 6:7.
- H5221 nâkâh (smite): This word describes the divine judgment enacted upon Uzzah. The text states that God smote H5221 him for his action 1 Chronicles 13:10.
- H6556 perets (breach): This term is used to describe the LORD's action against Uzzah. The place was named Perezuzzah H6560, combining perets H6556 with Uzzah's name, to commemorate the breach H6556 the LORD had made 2 Samuel 6:8.
- H41 ʼĂbîynâdâb (Abinadab): This is the name of Uzzah's father H1. The ark was being transported from the house H1004 of Abinadab H41 when the incident occurred 1 Chronicles 13:7.
The story of Uzzah H5798 carries significant thematic weight concerning the nature of God and humanity's relationship with Him.
- Divine Holiness: The death of Uzzah serves as a stark reminder of the holiness of God and the reverence required for objects consecrated to Him, like the ark H727. Uzzah died specifically "by the ark H727 of God H430" 2 Samuel 6:7.
- Consequences of Error: Uzzah was struck down for his error H7944, even though his action might have seemed intended to protect the ark 2 Samuel 6:7. This illustrates that divine commands are not to be transgressed, regardless of motive.
- The Wrath of God: The narrative explicitly states that "the anger H639 of the LORD H3068 was kindled H2734 against Uzzah" (2 Samuel 6:7, 1 Chronicles 13:10), showing a direct divine response to the violation.
- A Memorial of Judgment: The event was memorialized by the naming of the place H4725 Perezuzzah H6560, meaning "breach of Uzzah," which served as a lasting testimony "to this day H3117" 1 Chronicles 13:11.
In summary, while the name ʻUzzâʼ H5798 is derived from a word for "strength," its primary biblical role is not one of power but of solemn warning. The account of Uzzah's death is a foundational story illustrating the immense holiness of God and the severe consequences of approaching Him with unsanctioned familiarity. Beyond this pivotal event, the name also marks a royal burial ground and appears in several significant Israelite genealogies.
TRV