Who was Uzza in the Bible?

Uzza was a Benjamite, born in Moab during the time of the Babylonian exile. He is listed among the descendants of Benjamin who returned to Jerusalem from captivity (1 Chronicles 8:7-8).

What is the significance of Uzza the Benjamite?

His significance lies in his lineage, as he is part of the genealogy of the tribe of Benjamin, which was crucial for establishing the continuity of the Israelite tribes after the exile. His mention helps document the return of the people to the Promised Land.

What key events was Uzza involved in?

The Bible does not record specific events in Uzza's life. His inclusion is primarily genealogical, marking him as part of the family of Ehud and a returnee from exile, which was a key period of restoration for Israel (1 Chronicles 8:7-8).

Uzza

Old TestamentMaleSon of ehud

Uzza was a Benjamite born in Moab during the exile.

Uzza

Biography

Uzza was a Benjamite whose family roots reached back to Moab, a detail preserved in the genealogical records of 1 Chronicles 8. He is identified as a son of Ehud, a figure connected to the broader Benjamite lineage that the Chronicler carefully traces. Though Uzza himself appears only in the genealogical lists, his inclusion reflects the historical reality that some Israelite families sojourned in Moab during periods of regional instability, much as the family of Elimelech did in the time of the Judges (Ruth 1:1-2). His name, derived from a Hebrew root meaning "strength," was common in ancient Israel, connecting him to a constellation of similarly named individuals across the biblical record.

Significance

The mention of Uzza in the Benjamite genealogy of 1 Chronicles 8 underscores the Chronicler's meticulous effort to preserve the identity of all Israel's tribes after the catastrophe of exile. Even individuals known only by name serve a theological purpose: they affirm the continuity of God's covenant people across generations and geographies. Uzza's Moabite birthplace hints at the complex reality of diaspora existence, a thread woven throughout Israel's history and pointing forward to the full restoration God promises to scattered Israel (Deuteronomy 30:3).

Verse Appearances (1)

1Chr

1Chr 8:7

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]

View all sources & licensing →

See our editorial standards →

Content compiled from public domain scholarship, academic sources, and verified references. Editorial standards · View all sources