or עֻזִּיָּהוּ; from עֹז and יָהּ; strength of Jah; Uzzijah, the name of five Israelites; Uzziah.
Transliteration:ʻUzzîyâh
Pronunciation:ooz-zee-yaw'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word H5818 (עֻזִּיָּה, ʻUzzîyâh) is a compound personal name derived from two distinct elements. The first component is `{{H5797}}` (עֹז, 'oz), which signifies "strength," "might," "power," or "fortress." The second element is `{{H3050}}` (יָהּ, Yah), a shortened, poetic form of the divine name Yahweh (YHWH). Therefore, the name H5818 translates literally to "My strength is Yahweh," "Yahweh is my strength," or "Strength of Yah." As a proper noun, its semantic range is restricted to identifying specific individuals, carrying the inherent theological statement within its etymology.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The name H5818 (Uzziah) is found in the Old Testament referring to at least five different Israelites. The most notable and extensively documented figure is King Uzziah of Judah, also sometimes called Azariah.
1. **King Uzziah of Judah:** This is the most significant occurrence. He ascended to the throne at the age of sixteen and reigned for fifty-two years in Jerusalem ([[2 Kings 15:2]], [[2 Chronicles 26:3]]). His reign was characterized by significant military victories, extensive building projects (including fortifications and towers), and agricultural development ([[2 Chronicles 26:6-10]]). The text explicitly states that "God helped him as long as he sought the Lord" ([[2 Chronicles 26:5]]). However, his later years were marred by pride. He presumptuously entered the Temple to burn incense, an act reserved exclusively for the priests, and was consequently struck with leprosy by God ([[2 Chronicles 26:16-21]]). This divine judgment led to his isolation until his death, with his son Jotham co-reigning. His reign serves as a chronological marker for several prophetic books, including Isaiah ([[Isaiah 1:1]], [[Isaiah 6:1]]), Hosea ([[Hosea 1:1]]), and Amos ([[Amos 1:1]]).
2. **Uzziah, a Kohathite Levite:** An ancestor of the prophet Samuel ([[1 Chronicles 6:24]]).
3. **Uzziah, father of Jonathan:** One of David's officials, specifically overseeing the royal storehouses ([[1 Chronicles 27:25]]).
4. **Uzziah, a priest:** Listed among those who had married foreign wives during the time of Ezra and were compelled to divorce them ([[Ezra 10:21]]).
5. **Uzziah, an ancestor of Athaiah:** A Benjamite who resided in Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile ([[Nehemiah 11:4]]).
The various contexts highlight that while the name inherently points to divine strength, the narrative of King Uzziah serves as a potent reminder that human strength, even when divinely bestowed, must be exercised with humility and within the boundaries set by God.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **`{{H5797}}` (עֹז, 'oz):** The foundational element of Uzziah's name, meaning "strength," "might," or "power." This term is frequently used throughout the Old Testament to describe God's inherent omnipotence and His ability to act powerfully on behalf of His people. For example, "The Lord is my strength and my shield" ([[Psalm 28:7]]) and "God is our refuge and strength" ([[Psalm 46:1]]). The name Uzziah directly attests to this divine attribute.
* **`{{H3050}}` (יָהּ, Yah):** The abbreviated form of the divine name YHWH. Its inclusion in personal names is a common feature of Hebrew onomastics, signifying a relationship with God, an attribute of God, or a prayer/blessing invoking God. Other names incorporating this element include Jeremiah ("Yahweh exalts") and Hezekiah ("Yahweh strengthens").
* **`{{H5838}}` (עֲזַרְיָה, 'Azaryah):** The name "Azariah," meaning "Yahweh has helped," is sometimes used interchangeably with Uzziah for the king of Judah ([[2 Kings 15:1]], [[2 Kings 15:6-8]]). This interchangeability suggests a close semantic relationship between divine "strength" and divine "help," both emphasizing God's active support for His people.
* **Pride and Humility:** The downfall of King Uzziah, detailed in [[2 Chronicles 26]], implicitly links the concept of "strength" with the spiritual dangers of pride. His presumption in entering the Temple despite his God-given power illustrates that human strength, when not tempered by humility and reverence for God's established order, can lead to divine judgment and personal ruin. This stands in stark contrast to the biblical ideal of "strength in the Lord and in the power of His might" ([[Ephesians 6:10]]), which presupposes humility and reliance on God.
### Theological Significance
The name H5818 (Uzziah), meaning "Yahweh is my strength," carries profound theological implications, particularly in the narrative of King Uzziah of Judah.
1. **Divine Source of Strength:** The name itself is a theological declaration, asserting that all true and enduring strength—whether for individuals, leaders, or nations—ultimately originates from God. This aligns with a foundational biblical truth that God is the ultimate fount of power, wisdom, and success ([[Psalm 20:7]], [[Psalm 118:14]]).
2. **The Peril of Presumption and Pride:** King Uzziah's story serves as a powerful cautionary tale against spiritual arrogance and the usurpation of divinely ordained authority. Despite being blessed with immense strength and prosperity by God, Uzziah's attempt to perform priestly duties was an act of hubris that violated God's sacred order. His resultant leprosy was a visible sign of the spiritual defilement and divine judgment brought about by his presumption. This narrative underscores that even those whom God has greatly empowered must remain humble and obedient to His specific commands and boundaries.
3. **God's Sovereignty and Holiness:** The judgment upon Uzziah vividly demonstrates God's unwavering sovereignty and the inviolable sanctity of His holy institutions. God's strength is not to be taken for granted or manipulated; His holiness demands reverence, submission, and adherence to the order He has established.
4. **Context for Prophetic Ministry:** Uzziah's death marks a significant chronological and spiritual turning point, notably for the prophet Isaiah, who receives his powerful vision of God's holiness and his prophetic call "in the year that King Uzziah died" ([[Isaiah 6:1]]). This suggests a divine response to the spiritual state of Judah, perhaps a consequence of the kingdom's moral and spiritual decline, exemplified by the king's sin. Even as human strength and authority falter or become corrupt, God's sovereign strength and holiness remain supreme.
### Summary
The Hebrew name H5818 (ʻUzzîyâh), meaning "Yahweh is my strength," is a theophoric personal name found for five different individuals in the Old Testament. Its etymology clearly attributes the source of power to the divine, combining `{{H5797}}` ("strength") with `{{H3050}}` (a shortened form of Yahweh). The most prominent bearer of this name is King Uzziah of Judah, whose long and initially successful reign is detailed in [[2 Kings 15]] and [[2 Chronicles 26]]. His story serves as a compelling and poignant illustration of the name's theological implications: while God indeed bestows strength and prosperity upon those who seek Him, human pride and presumption can lead to a catastrophic fall. Uzziah's leprosy, a direct consequence of his unauthorized entry into the Temple, serves as a stark reminder that divine strength must be received and exercised within the bounds of God's holy will and with profound humility. The name ultimately points to God as the ultimate and true source of all enduring strength, a strength that demands reverence and obedience rather than presumption.
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