עוּץ (uts)
uts
Uz
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 8 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name Uz refers to several distinct figures and places in the Hebrew Bible, appearing eight times across Genesis, Chronicles, and Lamentations. It most famously denotes the land where Job lived, a region likely situated east or southeast of Palestine in the Arabian desert. The name itself carries the meaning "wooded," which may reflect the geographical character of this territory.
Lexical sources identify Uz as a proper noun used for multiple individuals. In Genesis 10:23, it marks the son of Aram and grandson of Seth, linking him to early patriarchal genealogies. The name also appears for the son of Nahor by Milcah in Genesis 22:21, and for an Edomite descendant of Seir in 1 Chronicles 1:42-43. This repetition suggests a common ancestral or regional designation rather than a single unique person.
Translators consistently render Uz as a proper name without attempting to translate its root meaning in context. The connection to Job’s homeland gives the word significant narrative weight, anchoring his story in a specific, though geographically vague, location known for its wooded landscape. The various bearers of the name illustrate how biblical authors reused ancestral titles to trace lineage and establish historical connections across different tribes and regions.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Uz appears in Scripture not merely as a label for a distant desert region, but as a marker of God’s sovereignty over all nations. In Genesis, it traces lineage back to Shem and Aram, showing how early families spread across the ancient world. Later, it identifies the homeland of Job, a man known for his integrity despite immense suffering. This connection reminds us that faithfulness is not confined to Israel; God recognizes and honors those who seek Him in every corner of the earth.
When we encounter Uz in Lamentations or Jeremiah, it serves as a reminder that judgment extends beyond one people to all nations. Yet, even in these warnings, there is a broader picture: God’s concern encompasses the whole human family. The wooded lands of Uz, whether linked to Edom or Aram, stand as witness to a Creator who knows every tribe and tongue. This global perspective invites us to view our own faith within the wider tapestry of human history.
Ultimately, the repeated use of this name underscores the unity of humanity under one God. From the genealogies of Genesis to the prophetic words of Jeremiah, Uz anchors our understanding of how diverse peoples are woven into a single divine narrative. It encourages us to look beyond our immediate surroundings and recognize the shared human condition before the Lord.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 8 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Uz5×
- and/ Uz1×
- [were] Uz1×
- <the>/ Uz1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ע֥וּץ4×
- ע֖וּץ1×
- ע֑וּץ1×
- וְ/ע֥וּץ1×
- הָ/ע֑וּץ1×
Key Verses
-
Job 1:1
There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job. That man was blameless and upright, and one who feared God, and turned away from evil.
This verse establishes Uz as the specific geographic setting for Job’s story, highlighting that his righteousness was recognized outside the covenant community of Israel.
-
Genesis 10:23
The sons of Aram were: Uz, Hul, Gether, and Mash.
Here Uz is listed among the sons of Aram, placing him within the Table of Nations and showing his role in early human genealogy.
-
Lamentations 4:21
Rejoice and be glad, daughter of Edom, who dwells in the land of Uz. The cup will pass through to you also. You will be drunken, and will make yourself naked.
The daughter of Edom dwelling in Uz illustrates the political and geographic overlap between these regions during the time of Babylonian judgment.