Who was Uzzah in the Bible?

Uzzah was a man who died while helping to transport the Ark of the Covenant on a cart. He was the son of Abinadab, in whose house the Ark had been kept for many years (2 Samuel 6:3).

Why did Uzzah die when he touched the Ark of the Covenant?

Uzzah died because he touched the Ark to steady it, an act God saw as irreverent. The Ark was holy and was to be carried only by Levites using poles, not transported on a cart (1 Chronicles 15:13-15). His death underscored God's holiness and the seriousness of His commands.

What is the significance of Perez-uzzah in the Bible?

Perez-uzzah, meaning 'outbreak against Uzzah,' is the name King David gave to the place where Uzzah died. This event caused David to be afraid and initially abandon moving the Ark to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 6:8).

Uzzah

Old TestamentUnited MonarchyMaleSon of abinadab

Uzzah died while moving the ark; the place was named Perez-uzzah.

Uzzah

Biography

Uzzah, son of Abinadab, is one of the most sobering figures in Israel's early monarchy. After the ark of God had rested at his father Abinadab's house in Kiriath-jearim for some twenty years, King David set out to transport it to Jerusalem on a new cart. When the oxen stumbled, Uzzah reached out his hand to steady the ark, and was immediately struck dead by God (2 Samuel 6:6-7; 1 Chronicles 13:9-10). The site of his death was thereafter called Perez-uzzah, meaning "the outbreak against Uzzah." David's grief and fear led him to leave the ark at the house of Obed-edom for three months before completing the procession to Jerusalem according to proper Levitical protocol.

Significance

The death of Uzzah stands as one of Scripture's most arresting demonstrations of divine holiness. His act, though seemingly instinctive and well-intentioned, violated God's explicit commandment that no unauthorized person touch the ark (Numbers 4:15). His story teaches that sincerity of motive does not override the imperative of obedience to God's revealed will. The incident also served a corrective purpose for David and all Israel: the ark, symbolizing God's presence, must be approached on God's terms alone. The episode ultimately points to the profound reverence due to God's holiness, a theme consummated in the atoning work of Christ.

Verse Appearances (8)

2Sam

2Sam 6:3 2Sam 6:6 2Sam 6:7 2Sam 6:8

1Chr

1Chr 13:7 1Chr 13:9 1Chr 13:10 1Chr 13:11

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