from עָזַז; forceful; Uzzi, the name of six Israelites; Uzzi.
Transliteration:ʻUzzîy
Pronunciation:ooz-zee'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The lemma ʻUzzîy (`{{H5813}}`) is a proper noun, a personal name derived from the Hebrew root ʻāzaz (`{{H5810}}`). The verb ʻāzaz fundamentally means "to be strong, mighty, powerful, or fierce," often conveying the sense of being "fortified" or "prevailing." Therefore, ʻUzzîy inherently carries the meaning of "my strength," "my might," or "forceful." As a personal name, it would have signified an individual characterized by strength, might, or one whose very existence declared a reliance upon or embodiment of divine strength. It serves as an appellation that speaks to either the inherent character of the person or, more profoundly, a divine attribute that empowers them.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
ʻUzzîy (`{{H5813}}`) appears in the Hebrew Bible exclusively as the name of six distinct Israelites, primarily within genealogical lists or records of community leadership. This consistent usage as a proper noun underscores its significance as a personal identifier imbued with the meaning of its root.
1. **Uzzi, son of Bukki:** He is identified as a high priest, the fifth in the direct line of descent from Aaron through Phinehas. His lineage is recorded in the priestly genealogies found in [[1 Chronicles 6:5-6]] (Hebrew: [[1 Chronicles 5:31-32]]) and [[Ezra 7:4]]. His position in this esteemed line highlights the continuity and inherent strength of the Aaronic priesthood.
2. **Uzzi, son of Tola:** Listed as a chief of the tribe of Issachar in the tribal genealogies of [[1 Chronicles 7:2-3]]. His mention emphasizes the strength and numerical significance of Issachar's fighting men.
3. **Uzzi, son of Bela:** Identified as a chief within the tribe of Benjamin, as recorded in [[1 Chronicles 7:7]]. This again points to the prominence and strength of a particular clan within the Benjamite tribe.
4. **Uzzi, a Benjamite:** He is among the heads of fathers' houses from the tribe of Benjamin who resided in Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile, as noted in [[1 Chronicles 9:8]]. This illustrates the re-establishment of strong family lines and leadership in the post-exilic community.
5. **Uzzi, a Levite:** He served as an overseer of the Levites in Jerusalem during the post-exilic period, mentioned in [[Nehemiah 11:22]]. His role suggests a position of responsibility and strength within the temple administration and community organization.
6. **Uzzi, a priest:** This individual participated in the solemn dedication of the wall of Jerusalem under Nehemiah, specifically among those who played trumpets and led a procession, as recorded in [[Nehemiah 12:19]] and [[Nehemiah 12:42]]. His involvement in such a significant religious and communal event underscores his standing and the collective "strength" of the priestly contingent in the restored community.
In all these contexts, ʻUzzîy functions as a personal name. The underlying meaning of "strength" or "forcefulness" would have been readily understood by the original audience, making it a fitting appellation for individuals holding positions of leadership, within significant genealogies, or engaged in vital community service. It implicitly links the individual to the concept of divine strength or inherent capability, reflecting a cultural practice of naming children with meaningful terms.
### Related Words & Concepts
The term ʻUzzîy (`{{H5813}}`) is part of a rich semantic field revolving around the concept of "strength" in Hebrew:
* **ʻāzaz (`{{H5810}}`):** The foundational root verb, meaning "to be strong, mighty, fierce, prevail." This is the etymological source from which ʻUzzîy derives its core meaning.
* **ʻōz (`{{H5797}}`):** A common noun meaning "strength, might, power, refuge." This word is frequently used to describe God's attribute of strength, as seen in declarations like "The Lord is my strength and my song" ([[Exodus 15:2]]) or "God is our refuge and strength" ([[Psalm 46:1]]).
* **ʻazzāh (`{{H5794}}`):** Another related noun, also meaning "strength" or "might," and notably the name of the city Gaza, renowned for its fortifications, reflecting its "strong" nature.
* **ʻuzzîyāh (`{{H5818}}`):** A theophoric name, meaning "my strength is Yah" or "Yahweh is my strength" (e.g., King Uzziah). This variant explicitly combines the root ʻazaz with the divine name Yahweh, directly attributing strength to God.
* **ʻazīz (`{{H5799}}`):** An adjective meaning "strong, mighty, powerful, fierce."
This cluster of related words highlights a pervasive biblical theme: the nature of strength, whether human or divine. When applied to individuals as a name, ʻUzzîy subtly points to the source of their strength, often implicitly, as God.
### Theological Significance
While ʻUzzîy (`{{H5813}}`) primarily functions as a proper noun, its etymological connection to ʻāzaz (`{{H5810}}`) imbues it with significant theological resonance within the biblical worldview. The concept of "strength" in the Old Testament is preeminently attributed to God. He is consistently portrayed as the ultimate source of power, might, and refuge for His people ([[Psalm 28:7-8]], [[Psalm 46:1]]).
The act of naming a child ʻUzzîy could have been a profound expression of parental faith, acknowledging God as their strength or a prayer for the child to be strong in the Lord. Such naming practices reflect a deeply ingrained cultural understanding where names were not mere labels but often carried prophetic, descriptive, or declarative significance about the individual's character or destiny, or about the divine.
The fact that individuals named Uzzi appear in such significant roles—high priestly lineage, tribal leadership, temple administration, and key community events like the dedication of Jerusalem's wall—suggests that these individuals were indeed seen as strong pillars within their communities. They perhaps embodied the very "strength" implied by their name, a strength that, when rightly understood within the biblical framework, is ultimately derived from and dependent upon divine power. In a broader theological sense, the prominence of names like ʻUzzîy (and its more explicit variants like ʻUzzîyāh) underscores the biblical emphasis on God as the ultimate "strength" and "fortress" for His covenant people. Human strength, therefore, is ideally a reflection or channel of this divine might.
### Summary
The Hebrew word ʻUzzîy (`{{H5813}}`) is a proper noun, a personal name directly derived from the root ʻāzaz (`{{H5810}}`), meaning "to be strong" or "forceful." Consequently, ʻUzzîy conveys the sense of "my strength" or "powerful." This name is used for six different individuals in the Old Testament, consistently appearing in contexts of lineage, leadership, or service, such as a high priest, tribal chiefs, and post-exilic community leaders and priests. Each occurrence implicitly connects the individual to the concept of strength or might, suggesting their capability and significance within their respective roles. The broader semantic field of ʻazaz and its derivatives consistently points to the pervasive biblical theme of strength, frequently attributing it to God as the ultimate source of power and refuge. Thus, while ʻUzzîy functions as a personal name, it carries a subtle yet profound theological weight, hinting at a connection to divine strength and the importance of strong, capable individuals within God's covenant community.
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