עֻזִּיאֵל

עֻזִּיאֵל

Uzziel, the name of six Israelites

Definition

Uzziel is a Hebrew personal name meaning 'God is my strength' or 'strength of God.' It is borne by six distinct individuals in the Old Testament. The most prominent is Uzziel, the son of Kohath and grandson of Levi, who became the ancestral head of the Uzzielite clan of Levites (Exodus 6:18, Numbers 3:19). Another notable figure is a Levite, the son of Jeduthun, who served as a musician in the temple during David's reign (1 Chronicles 25:4). The name also appears for a Simeonite captain (1 Chronicles 4:42) and other minor figures, but its meaning consistently reflects the core idea of divine strength.

Biblical Usage

The name Uzziel is used exclusively as a proper noun for male Israelites, appearing 16 times across the Pentateuch and Chronicles. Its primary context is genealogical, establishing priestly and Levitical lineages in Exodus 6, Leviticus 10, and Numbers 3. For example, in Numbers 3:30, the Uzzielites are given specific duties in the tabernacle. In Chronicles, the usage expands to include temple musicians (1 Chronicles 25:4) and military leaders (1 Chronicles 4:42), showing the name's association with both sacred service and leadership.

Etymology

The name Uzziel (עֻזִּיאֵל) is a compound of two Hebrew elements: 'ûz (עֹז, H5797), meaning 'strength' or 'might,' and 'ēl (אֵל, H410), the primary name for God. It is a theophoric name, a common practice in Israelite culture where a divine name ('El') is incorporated to express a relationship or attribute, in this case, declaring that strength comes from or is found in God.

Semantic Range

As a theophoric name, Uzziel serves as a constant, personal declaration of dependence on God's power. It reflects a key biblical theme: human strength is insufficient, and true might is derived from God (e.g., Psalm 28:7). When encountered in genealogies, especially of the Levites, it subtly reinforces that those chosen for sacred service rely not on their own ability but on divine empowerment. Understanding this meaning enriches reading by highlighting the spiritual identity embedded in the names of God's servants. In ancient Israelite culture, names were not merely labels but carried significant meaning and often expressed a hope, prayer, or characteristic about the person. A name like Uzziel, invoking God's strength, likely reflected the parents' faith or a perceived destiny for the child, especially within the priestly tribe of Levi where reliance on God for ritual and leadership duties was paramount. Azarel (עֲזַרְאֵל, H5832) — Also means 'God has helped,' emphasizing aid rather than inherent strength. Ezekiel (יְחֶזְקֵאל, H3168) — Means 'God strengthens,' focusing on God as the source of strengthening action. Gabriel (גַּבְרִיאֵל, H1403) — Means 'man of God' or 'God is my strong man,' combining strength with the concept of a warrior or champion.

Word Details