עֻזָּא

עֻזָּא

Uzza or Uzzah, the name of five Israelites

Definition

The proper noun עֻזָּא (Uzzâʼ) refers to five distinct individuals in the Old Testament, all sharing the name meaning 'strength' or 'might'. The most prominent is Uzzah (or Uzzah), the man who died after touching the Ark of the Covenant to steady it during its transport to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 6:3-8). Another significant figure is King Manasseh's son and successor, Amon, whose mother was named Meshullemeth, daughter of Haruz of Jotbah (2 Kings 21:18-19). Other individuals include a Levite descendant of Merari (1 Chronicles 6:29) and a Benjamite, son of Ehud (1 Chronicles 8:7). The name consistently signifies strength, though its bearers' stories vary greatly.

Biblical Usage

The name appears 14 times across historical books (2 Samuel, 2 Kings, 1 Chronicles). Its usage is exclusively for identifying specific male individuals. The narrative in 2 Samuel 6 provides the most detailed account, using the name five times to recount Uzzah's fatal interaction with the Ark. In 2 Kings 21, it identifies King Manasseh's burial place 'in the garden of Uzza' (likely a garden or estate named for one of the individuals). The Chronicler uses it for genealogical records.

Etymology

Derived from the Hebrew root עזז (ʻzz), meaning 'to be strong'. It is the feminine form of the masculine noun עֹז (ʻōz, H5797), meaning 'strength, might, power'. The name is essentially 'strength' personified, a common thematic element in Hebrew names (e.g., Azariah, Uzziah). The variant עֻזָּה (ʻUzzâh) is also attested.

Semantic Range

The story of Uzzah (2 Samuel 6) is profoundly theological, illustrating God's holiness, the seriousness of approaching Him on His own terms, and the danger of presumptuous human action, even with good intentions. Uzzah's death underscores that God's sacred objects (the Ark) and His prescribed worship procedures (transport by Levites on poles, Exodus 25:14-15) are not to be violated. It serves as a sobering lesson on reverence, divine transcendence, and the necessity of obedience over human instinct. In ancient Israelite culture, names were often descriptive or expressed a hope or characteristic. 'Uzzah' as a name reflected a value placed on strength. The incident with the Ark highlights cultural and religious norms: the Ark was not merely a religious symbol but was understood as the very throne of the invisible God. Touching it was a supreme violation of ritual purity and divine majesty, a concept deeply ingrained in Israel's worldview. The 'garden of Uzza' (2 Kings 21:18, 26) suggests named family burial plots were part of the cultural landscape. עֹז (ʻōz, H5797) — The masculine noun for 'strength', the root from which Uzzah is derived. חַיִל (ḥayil, H2428) — Often translated 'might, army, wealth'; denotes strength in a more martial or capable sense, whereas עזז/עֹז is raw power. גְּבוּרָה (gᵉḇûrâh, H1369) — 'Might, valor'; emphasizes heroic strength or acts of power, often used of God.

Word Details