עֻזָּא (uz.za)
uz.za
Uzzah; (Garden of) Uzza; Uzza
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 13 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name Uzza means "strength" in Hebrew and appears thirteen times in the Old Testament, referring to several different individuals across Israel’s history. The most famous bearer is the man who died when he touched the Ark of the Covenant during its transport to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 6:3-7). He was the son of Abinadab and brother of Eleazar and Ahio, living in a house near the place later called Perez-uzzah, or "breakthrough against Uzza" (2 Samuel 6:8).
Beyond this tragic figure, the name identifies other men in biblical records. One was a Benjamite from the time before the monarchy, listed as a son of Ehud (1 Chronicles 8:7). Another appears in the genealogies of the Levites, specifically the Merarite clan, during the divided kingdom and post-exilic periods (1 Chronicles 6:29; Ezra 2:49). The name also marks a location, the Garden of Uzza, where kings Manasseh and Amon were buried (2 Kings 21:18; 2 Chronicles 33:20).
Though the name signifies power, its biblical usage often highlights human limitation in the face of divine holiness. The story of Uzah serves as a sobering reminder that proximity to God’s presence requires reverence and obedience to His specific instructions. Christians have understood this account not merely as a historical event but as a lesson on the seriousness of approaching the sacred.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Uzzah means strength, yet its most famous bearer reminds us that human effort cannot replace divine instruction. When Uzzah touched the Ark to steady it, he acted with good intentions but ignored God’s specific command that only Levites should carry it. This story shows that closeness to God requires reverence, not just power or speed.
For your faith, this word invites you to examine how you approach spiritual things. It is easy to rely on our own understanding or convenience, especially when circumstances seem urgent. True devotion means slowing down to follow God’s way, even when it feels slower or less natural than our own plans.
God’s holiness is serious, but His desire for relationship remains constant. The name Uzzah stands as a gentle warning against presumption, encouraging us to seek wisdom and obedience in every step of our walk with Him.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 13 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Uzzah7×
- on/ Uzzah2×
- and/ Uzzah2×
- against/ Uzzah2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- עֻזָּ֜א2×
- עֻזָּ֖א2×
- עֻזָּ֑א2×
- וְ/עֻזָּ֣א2×
- עֻזָּ֥א1×
- בְּ/עֻזָּ֔ה1×
- בְּ/עֻזָּ֔א1×
- בְּ/עֻזָּ֑ה1×
- בְּ/עֻזָּ֑א1×
Key Verses
-
II Samuel 6:7
Yahweh’s anger burned against Uzzah, and God struck him there for his error; and he died there by God’s ark.
This verse records the moment God’s anger burned against Uzzah for touching the Ark, highlighting the seriousness of violating divine instructions regarding holy things.
-
II Samuel 6:3
They set God’s ark on a new cart, and brought it out of Abinadab’s house that was on the hill; and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, drove the new cart.
Here Uzzah is introduced as driving the new cart, showing how human innovation (using a cart instead of Levitical carriers) set the stage for the tragedy.
-
I Chronicles 13:10
Yahweh’s anger burned against Uzza, and he struck him because he put his hand on the ark; and he died there before God.
The parallel account in Chronicles emphasizes that Uzzah died 'before God,' reinforcing the theme that proximity to the sacred demands strict obedience.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the name Uzzah mean?
Why did God strike Uzzah dead?
Is Uzzah mentioned anywhere else in the Bible?
What is the Garden of Uzza?
Every Occurrence (13 verses across 5 books)
II Samuel 4 verses
They set God’s ark on a new cart, and brought it out of Abinadab’s house that was on the hill; and Uzzah and Ahio, the…
II Samuel 6:6When they came to the threshing floor of Nacon, Uzzah reached for God’s ark and took hold of it, for the cattle…
II Samuel 6:7Yahweh’s anger burned against Uzzah, and God struck him there for his error; and he died there by God’s ark.
II Samuel 6:8David was displeased because Yahweh had broken out against Uzzah; and he called that place Perez Uzzah to this day.