עׇזִּיאֵלִי
an Uzzielite (collectively) or descendants of Uzziel
Definition
The Hebrew word עׇזִּיאֵלִי (ʻOzzîyʼêlîy) is a patronymic noun meaning 'Uzzielite,' referring collectively to the descendants of Uzziel. Uzziel was a son of Kohath, who was a son of Levi, making the Uzzielites a sub-clan within the Kohathite branch of the Levitical priesthood (Exodus 6:18, 22). In the Bible, this term specifically denotes this familial and tribal lineage. Its usage is consistent across its two occurrences, always identifying this group within the organizational structure of Israel's worship and service.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only twice in the Old Testament, both times in contexts detailing the organization and duties of the Levites. In Numbers 3:27, the Uzzielites are listed among the Kohathite clans during the census and assignment of tabernacle responsibilities. In 1 Chronicles 26:23, they appear again in a genealogical record from the time of David, concerning the oversight of the temple treasuries. The usage is exclusively genealogical and administrative, relating to Levitical lineage and temple service.
Etymology
The word is formed patronymically from the proper name עֻזִּיאֵל (ʻUzzîyʼêl, H5816), which means 'God is my strength.' The suffix -ִי (-î) creates the gentilic or collective noun, meaning 'belonging to Uzziel' or 'descendants of Uzziel.' This is a standard Hebrew construction for indicating family or tribal descent.
Semantic Range
While the term itself is primarily genealogical, understanding it enriches the study of Israel's worship system. It highlights God's meticulous design in appointing specific families for specific holy services, emphasizing order, inheritance, and corporate identity within His covenant people. Tracing such lineages also connects to the broader biblical theme of God faithfully preserving priestly lines, which ultimately points toward Christ, our perfect High Priest.
In ancient Israelite culture, tribal and clan identity was paramount for social structure, inheritance, and religious duty. Being identified as an 'Uzzielite' was not just a family name but a designation of one's sacred vocation and responsibilities within the community, particularly regarding the transport and care of sacred objects (Numbers 4). This clan-based system of religious service is quite different from modern, more individualistic approaches to ministry.
קְהָתִי (Qehāthî, H6956) — A Kohathite, the broader clan to which the Uzzielites belonged. | הַלְוִיִּי (Halvîyî, H3881) — A Levite, the larger tribe encompassing all priestly assistants, including the Kohathites and Uzzielites.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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