1 Chronicles 13:11

And David was displeased, because the LORD had made a breach upon Uzza: wherefore that place is called Perezuzza to this day.

And David {H1732} was displeased {H2734}, because the LORD {H3068} had made {H6555} a breach {H6556} upon Uzza {H5798}: wherefore that place {H4725} is called {H7121} Perezuzza {H6560} to this day {H3117}.

It upset David that ADONAI had broken out against 'Uza; that place has been called Peretz-'Uza [breaking-out of 'Uza] ever since.

Then David became angry because the LORD had burst forth against Uzzah; so he named that place Perez-uzzah, as it is called to this day.

And David was displeased, because Jehovah had broken forth upon Uzza: and he called that place Perez-uzza, unto this day.

Commentary

Context

The narrative in 1 Chronicles 13 describes King David's initial attempt to bring the Ark of the Covenant from Kiriath-Jearim to Jerusalem. This was a momentous occasion, intended to centralize worship and God's presence in the new capital. However, instead of transporting the Ark on the shoulders of the Levites by means of poles, as prescribed by the Mosaic Law (see Numbers 4:15), they placed it on a new cart, similar to how the Philistines had returned it (1 Samuel 6:7-8). When the oxen stumbled, Uzza, one of the men guiding the cart, reached out to steady the Ark, and the Lord struck him dead on the spot. This account parallels the one found in 2 Samuel 6:8.

Key Themes

  • God's Holiness and Sovereignty: The immediate consequence of Uzza's action underscores the absolute holiness of God and the strictness of His commands regarding the Ark. It was not merely a sacred relic but a symbol of God's presence, requiring reverent and precise adherence to His instructions. God's nature demands respect for His appointed ways.
  • Displeasure and Divine Justice: David's reaction of being "displeased" (or angry, frustrated) reveals his human perspective on a tragic event. He likely didn't fully grasp the gravity of Uzza's transgression against God's explicit law. God's action, though severe, was a demonstration of His justice and an object lesson on the importance of obedience, even when intentions might seem good.
  • Consequences of Disobedience: This incident serves as a powerful reminder that even well-intentioned actions, if they disregard God's specific instructions, can have serious repercussions. Uzza's death was a stark warning against treating sacred things lightly or approaching God in a casual manner.
  • The Significance of Perezuzza: The naming of the place "Perezuzza" (meaning "breach of Uzza" or "bursting forth against Uzza") permanently marked the site as a memorial to this divine judgment. It served as a constant reminder of the reverence due to God and His covenant.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "made a breach upon Uzza" translates the Hebrew word pārats (פָּרַץ), which means "to break forth," "to burst out," or "to make a breach." This verb vividly describes the sudden, decisive, and forceful nature of God's judgment against Uzza. The place name "Perezuzza" (פֶּרֶץ עֻזָּא) directly incorporates this word, signifying the "breach" or "breaking out" that occurred there specifically concerning Uzza.

Significance and Application

This challenging passage teaches us crucial lessons about our approach to God. It highlights that God is not to be trifled with, and His commands are not arbitrary suggestions.

  • Reverence and Obedience: We are called to approach God with reverence and to obey His Word, not just out of fear, but out of a deep respect for His holiness and wisdom. Our intentions, however noble, do not supersede God's established ways.
  • Learning from Mistakes: David's initial displeasure eventually gave way to a deeper understanding. He learned from this tragic event and, in a later attempt, ensured the Ark was transported correctly by the Levites (1 Chronicles 15:13). This shows the importance of humility and correction in our spiritual walk.
  • God's Unchanging Nature: While we live under the new covenant of grace through Christ, the foundational truth of God's holiness and His demand for obedience remains. The New Testament similarly warns against treating God's grace lightly (Hebrews 10:29).
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Samuel 6:7 (3 votes)

    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.

  • Jonah 4:4 (2 votes)

    Then said the LORD, Doest thou well to be angry?

  • Genesis 32:32 (2 votes)

    Therefore the children of Israel eat not [of] the sinew which shrank, which [is] upon the hollow of the thigh, unto this day: because he touched the hollow of Jacob's thigh in the sinew that shrank.

  • Jonah 4:9 (2 votes)

    And God said to Jonah, Doest thou well to be angry for the gourd? And he said, I do well to be angry, [even] unto death.

  • Deuteronomy 34:6 (2 votes)

    And he buried him in a valley in the land of Moab, over against Bethpeor: but no man knoweth of his sepulchre unto this day.

  • Joshua 4:9 (2 votes)

    And Joshua set up twelve stones in the midst of Jordan, in the place where the feet of the priests which bare the ark of the covenant stood: and they are there unto this day.

  • 2 Samuel 6:9 (2 votes)

    And David was afraid of the LORD that day, and said, How shall the ark of the LORD come to me?