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Uzziel

biblical_person_name theological_term standard

Uzziel is a biblical personal name borne by more than one Old Testament figure, including a son of Kohath in the tribe of Levi.

At a Glance

A Hebrew proper name meaning “God is my strength,” used for more than one Old Testament man.

Key Points

Description

Uzziel is a Hebrew personal name borne by several Old Testament men. The best-known Uzziel appears in the priestly genealogy as a son of Kohath, making him part of the larger Levitical family line. Scripture also refers to his sons Mishael and Elzaphan in connection with the judgment on Nadab and Abihu. Other genealogical references in Chronicles show that the name is used in historical and family-line contexts rather than as a theological term. The entry should therefore be handled as a biblical proper name, with attention to its multiple referents and the specific passages in which it appears.

Biblical Context

In the Old Testament, names often carry meaning and appear in genealogies, family lines, and priestly records. Uzziel belongs to that category. The name is associated especially with the tribe of Levi and the household of Kohath, placing it within Israel’s priestly and sacred-history setting.

Historical Context

Uzziel is part of Israel’s genealogical memory, where family lines mattered for tribal identity, inheritance, and priestly service. The name appears in the Pentateuch and in later genealogical material in Chronicles, reflecting the Bible’s concern to preserve historical continuity.

Jewish and Ancient Context

In ancient Israel, a personal name could function as both identification and testimony. The name Uzziel likely conveys the confession that God is the source of strength. Its presence in Levitical genealogies shows the importance of remembered family lines in worship and communal order.

Primary Key Texts

Secondary Key Texts

Original Language Note

Hebrew: עֻזִּיאֵל (Uzzîʾēl), commonly understood as “God is my strength” or “my strength is God.”

Theological Significance

Uzziel itself is not a doctrine, but the name appears in passages that reinforce the historical reliability of Israel’s family records and the continuity of the Levitical line. The references also connect the name to priestly service and to the holiness of God’s order in worship.

Philosophical Explanation

As a proper name, Uzziel does not carry abstract philosophical content. Its significance lies in historical identity and in the theological meaning of names in Scripture, where names often reflect testimony, memory, or covenant identity.

Interpretive Cautions

Do not treat Uzziel as a single person in every passage without checking the context. Scripture uses the same name for more than one man. The entry should not be read as a doctrinal category, and all identification claims should stay tied to the specific biblical reference.

Major Views

Most readers and commentators identify the main Uzziel of Exodus and Numbers as the Levite son of Kohath. Other occurrences in Chronicles are best handled as genealogical references unless the context clearly identifies a different individual.

Doctrinal Boundaries

This entry should remain within biblical onomastics and historical genealogy. It should not be expanded into speculative symbolism or made to bear doctrinal weight beyond the text.

Practical Significance

Uzziel reminds readers that Scripture preserves real names, families, and histories. It also highlights the importance of careful reading, since the same name may be shared by more than one person.

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