Who was Uzzi in the Bible?

Uzzi was a descendant of Issachar, specifically recorded as one of the sons of Tola and a grandson of Issachar (1 Chronicles 7:1-2). He was a clan leader within the tribe of Issachar during the time of King David's census.

Why is Uzzi mentioned in the Bible?

Uzzi is mentioned to establish the genealogical record and military strength of the tribe of Issachar. His inclusion shows the continuity of God's promise to the tribes of Israel and lists him as a leader of a mighty family of warriors (1 Chronicles 7:1-4).

What was Uzzi's role or significance?

Uzzi's significance is primarily genealogical, as he was a clan head whose descendants were noted as valiant warriors. His listing helps trace the lineage of Issachar and document the tribe's contribution to Israel's army during its united monarchy.

Uzzi

Old TestamentEgypt & WildernessMaleSon

Uzzi, a grandson of Issachar, was one of the sons of Tola.

Uzzi

Biography

Uzzi was a grandson of Issachar, listed among the sons of Tola in the tribal genealogy of 1 Chronicles 7:2-3. His father Tola was identified as one of Issachar's sons (Genesis 46:13; Numbers 26:23), making Uzzi part of the second generation of Issachar's clan during the sojourn in Egypt. The Chronicler records that the sons of Tola were mighty warriors and heads of their families, numbering among Issachar's fighting men. Uzzi is listed alongside his brothers Rephaiah, Jeriel, Jahmai, Ibsam, and Samuel. Though the biblical text devotes little space to Uzzi individually, his inclusion in the warrior genealogy of Issachar affirms his standing within Israel's ancestral tribal structure.

Significance

Uzzi's place among the sons of Tola in Issachar's genealogy reflects the Chronicler's consistent effort to portray all of Israel as a community of warriors fit for God's purposes, a theme especially relevant to the post-exilic community reconstituting itself in the land. Issachar's tribe was notable in later tradition for its wisdom and understanding of times (1 Chronicles 12:32), and the preservation of its genealogies sustained a sense of tribal identity through exile and return. Uzzi, though unnamed in later narratives, represents the faithful ordinary members of Israel's covenant community through whom God sustains his people across the generations.

Verse Appearances (2)

1Chr

1Chr 7:2 1Chr 7:3

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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