6560. Perets Uzzah
Lexical Summary
Perets Uzzah: Perez Uzzah

Original Word: פֶרֶץ עֻזָּא
Part of Speech: Proper Name Location
Transliteration: Perets `Uzza'
Pronunciation: PEH-rets OO-zah
Phonetic Spelling: (peh'-rets ooz-zaw')
KJV: Perez-uzza
NASB: Perez-uzza, Perez-uzzah
Word Origin: [from H6556 (פֶּרֶץ - breach) and H5798 (עוּזָּא עוּזָּה - Uzza)]

1. break of Uzza
2. Perets-Uzza, a place in Israel

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
Perez-uzza

From perets and Uzza'; break of Uzza; Perets-Uzza, a place in Palestine -- Perez-uzza.

see HEBREW perets

see HEBREW Uzza'

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from Perets and Uzza
Definition
a place near Jer.
NASB Translation
Perez-uzza (1), Perez-uzzah (1).

Topical Lexicon
Biblical Setting

Perez-Uzzah appears twice in Scripture, both times in connection with the death of Uzzah during the transport of the Ark of the Covenant from Kiriath-jearim to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 6:8; 1 Chronicles 13:11). Following Uzzah’s unauthorized touch of the Ark, “the anger of the LORD burned against Uzzah, and God struck him down there for his irreverence” (1 Chronicles 13:10). King David halted the procession and marked the location with the name Perez-Uzzah, literally “breaking out against Uzzah,” memorializing the divine judgment that occurred.

Historical Context

The incident took place early in David’s reign, when he sought to make Jerusalem the political and spiritual center of Israel. The Ark had remained in obscurity at Kiriath-jearim since the Philistine crisis of 1 Samuel 4–7. David’s desire to restore proper worship was commendable, yet the transport did not follow the Mosaic prescriptions (Numbers 4:15; Deuteronomy 10:8). Instead of Levites bearing the Ark on poles, it was placed on a new cart driven by Uzzah and Ahio, sons of Abinadab. This deviation from divine instruction set the stage for the tragedy at Perez-Uzzah.

Theological Significance

1. Holiness and Reverence: Perez-Uzzah stands as a lasting reminder that God’s holiness is non-negotiable. Even well-intentioned acts are unacceptable when they disregard revealed commands.
2. Covenant Faithfulness: The Ark represented God’s covenant presence. Mishandling it signified disrespect toward the covenant itself, provoking the “bursting out” of divine wrath.
3. Leadership Accountability: David, though “a man after God’s own heart,” learned that zeal must be yoked to obedience. His later decision to consult the Law and involve the Levites (1 Chronicles 15:2, 13) shows the corrective effect of Perez-Uzzah on Israel’s leadership.

Liturgical and Practical Lessons

• Worship must be regulated by Scripture rather than human innovation.
• Sacred service demands both sincerity and precision; God is not honored by shortcuts.
• Awareness of God’s presence should cultivate godly fear and thoughtful preparation in ministry contexts.

Geographical Note

Perez-Uzzah was located near the threshing floor of Nachon (2 Samuel 6:6) or Kidon (1 Chronicles 13:9), likely on the route from Kiriath-jearim to Jerusalem. Though its precise coordinates are uncertain, its remembrance “to this day” (2 Samuel 6:8) underscores its notoriety in Israel’s collective memory.

Comparative References

• Nadab and Abihu (Leviticus 10:1-3) illustrate a parallel breach in worship protocol.
• The fall of Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-11) in the New Testament echoes the suddenness of divine judgment within the covenant community.

Christological Foreshadowing

Perez-Uzzah magnifies the gulf between sinful humanity and a holy God—a gulf ultimately bridged by the atoning work of Jesus Christ. Where Uzzah died for violating holiness, Christ died to uphold it and to bring “many sons to glory” (Hebrews 2:10). The episode therefore accentuates the necessity of a perfect Mediator.

Application for Ministry

• Guard the integrity of corporate worship by adhering to biblical patterns.
• Teach congregations that God’s grace does not nullify His holiness.
• Encourage leaders to seek scriptural counsel before undertaking spiritual initiatives, recognizing that good motives cannot sanctify disobedient methods.

Cross References

Leviticus 10:1-3; Numbers 4:15; Deuteronomy 10:8; 2 Samuel 6:6-12; 1 Chronicles 13:9-14; 1 Chronicles 15:1-15; Hebrews 2:10; Acts 5:1-11

Forms and Transliterations
עֻזָּ֔א עֻזָּ֔ה עזא עזה ‘uz·zā ‘uz·zāh ‘uzzā ‘uzzāh uzZa uzZah
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Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
2 Samuel 6:8
HEB: הַהוּא֙ פֶּ֣רֶץ עֻזָּ֔ה עַ֖ד הַיּ֥וֹם
NAS: is called Perez-uzzah to this
KJV: the name of the place Perezuzzah to this day.
INT: place he Perez-uzzah against day

1 Chronicles 13:11
HEB: הַהוּא֙ פֶּ֣רֶץ עֻזָּ֔א עַ֖ד הַיּ֥וֹם
NAS: that place Perez-uzza to this
KJV: is called Perezuzza to this day.
INT: place he Perez-uzza against day

2 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 6560
2 Occurrences


‘uz·zā — 1 Occ.
‘uz·zāh — 1 Occ.

6559
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