Who was Nacon in the Bible?

Nacon, also called Chidon, was the owner of a threshing floor where a significant event involving the Ark of the Covenant occurred. He is not a central character, but his property is the setting for the death of Uzzah (2 Samuel 6:6-7; 1 Chronicles 13:9).

What happened at Nacon's threshing floor?

While King David was transporting the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem, the oxen stumbled at Nacon's threshing floor. Uzzah reached out to steady the Ark and was struck dead by God for touching it, as this violated the holy law (2 Samuel 6:6-7).

Why is Nacon (Chidon) significant?

Nacon's significance is entirely due to the location he owned, which became a solemn reminder of God's holiness and the proper reverence required for sacred objects. This event prompted David to fear the Lord and change how the Ark was transported (1 Chronicles 15:13-15).

Nacon

Old TestamentPatriarchsMale

Nacon, also known as Chidon, was the owner of the threshing floor where Uzzah touched the ark of God and was struck down.

Nacon

Biography

Nacon, also referred to as Chidon in the parallel account of 1 Chronicles 13:9, was the owner of a threshing floor that became the site of one of the most dramatic and sobering episodes in David's early reign. When David attempted to transport the ark of the covenant from the house of Abinadab to Jerusalem on a new cart, the oxen stumbled at Nacon's threshing floor, and Uzzah reached out to steady the ark. God struck Uzzah dead for his irreverent act (2 Samuel 6:6-7). The location became known as Perez-uzzah, meaning "the outbreak against Uzzah." Nacon himself plays no active role in the narrative; his significance lies entirely in the association of his property with this pivotal event. The dual naming (Nacon/Chidon) likely reflects variant local traditions preserved in the parallel accounts.

Significance

Though Nacon is a peripheral figure, his threshing floor became the setting for a profound lesson about the holiness of God and the necessity of approaching him on his own terms. The tragedy at Nacon's threshing floor forced David to reconsider how the ark should be transported, leading him to follow the prescribed Levitical method three months later (2 Samuel 6:13; cf. Numbers 4:15). This event illustrates that good intentions do not excuse disobedience to God's revealed instructions. The incident shaped Israel's understanding of sacred boundaries and proper worship, themes that resonate throughout biblical theology. Nacon's threshing floor thus became a place of divine instruction, where Israel learned that the God who dwells among his people must be revered with appropriate care.

Verse Appearances (2)

2Sam

2Sam 6:6

1Chr

1Chr 13:9

References

Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Individualised Proper Names with all References (TIPNR). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
Wikidata contributors (n.d.) Wikidata. Available at: https://www.wikidata.org. [CC0]
Church of England (1769) The Holy Bible, Authorized (King James) Version. [Public Domain]

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