The Hebrew name ʻUzzîyʼêl, represented by H5816, means "strength of God". It appears 16 times across 16 unique verses in the Bible and is the name given to six different Israelites.
The name H5816 is primarily associated with ʻUzzîyʼêl the son of Kohath H6955, placing him within the Levitical lineage alongside his brothers Amram H6019, Izhar H3324, and Hebron H2275 (Exodus 6:18, Numbers 3:19). His sons, Mishael H4332 and Elzaphan H469, were called upon by Moses to carry their brethren from the sanctuary Leviticus 10:4. Other individuals named ʻUzzîyʼêl include a musician among the sons of Heman H1968 1 Chronicles 25:4, a captain from the tribe of Simeon H8095 1 Chronicles 4:42, and a goldsmith H6884 who helped repair the Jerusalem wall Nehemiah 3:8.
The genealogies and narratives involving ʻUzzîyʼêl connect him to several other significant individuals:
- H6955 Qᵉhâth (allied; Kehath, an Israelite): The father of the most prominent ʻUzzîyʼêl, establishing the Levitical family line Numbers 3:19.
- H4332 Mîyshâʼêl (who (is) what God (is) ?; Mishael, the name of three Israelites): A son of ʻUzzîyʼêl who, along with his brother, was tasked by Moses with a sacred duty Leviticus 10:4.
- H469 ʼĔlîytsâphân (God of treasure; Elitsaphan or Eltsaphan, an Israelite): A son of ʻUzzîyʼêl who became the chief of the house of the father of the Kohathites Numbers 3:30.
- H1968 Hêymân (faithful; Heman, the name of at least two Israelites): A renowned musician whose sons included an ʻUzzîyʼêl dedicated to temple service 1 Chronicles 25:4.
- H2736 Charhăyâh (fearing Jah; Charhajah, an Israelite): The father of the ʻUzzîyʼêl who worked as a goldsmith H6884 during the rebuilding of Jerusalem's wall Nehemiah 3:8.
The name ʻUzzîyʼêl is associated with several key roles and contributions within the nation of Israel:
- Levitical Heritage: The primary ʻUzzîyʼêl is a son of Kohath H6955, making his descendants, the Uzzielites, a significant family within the Levitical priesthood Exodus 6:18. His son Elizaphan H469 was appointed as the chief of the families of the Kohathites Numbers 3:30.
- Sacred Service and Worship: The name is connected to temple worship through ʻUzzîyʼêl, son of Heman H1968, who was a musician 1 Chronicles 25:4. Another ʻUzzîyʼêl is mentioned as a Levite in the time of Jeduthun 2 Chronicles 29:14.
- Leadership and Skilled Labor: The name represents leadership in other areas, such as the ʻUzzîyʼêl who was a captain among the sons of Simeon H8095 1 Chronicles 4:42. It is also tied to the restoration of Jerusalem, with ʻUzzîyʼêl son of Harhaiah H2736 contributing his skill as a goldsmith H6884 to repair the city wall Nehemiah 3:8.
In summary, while ʻUzzîyʼêl H5816 is not one central figure, the name, meaning "strength of God," is carried by multiple Israelites who made significant contributions. From the foundational Levitical genealogies that structured the priesthood Exodus 6:18 to the musical worship in the temple 1 Chronicles 25:4 and the physical rebuilding of the nation's capital Nehemiah 3:8, the individuals named ʻUzzîyʼêl consistently appear in roles of service, leadership, and skilled contribution. The name represents a legacy of strength applied in various spheres of Israel's national and spiritual life.
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