Perez Uzzah

PEREZ UZZAH (pē'rez ŭz'a, Heb. perets-‘uzâh, the breach of Uzzah). Uzzah was one who accompanied the ark on its journey from Kiriath Jearim. When the oxen stumbled, Uzzah, contrary to the command of God, took hold of the ark and died immediately. David, therefore, named the spot Perez Uzzah (2Sam.6.8; 1Chr.13.11). It is perhaps to be identified with Khirbet el-Uz, “the ruins of Uzzah,” located a short distance from Kiriath Jearim.

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PEREZ-UZZAH pĭr’ əz uz’ ə (פֶּ֣רֶץ עֻזָּ֔ה in 2 Sam 6:8 or פֶּ֣רֶץ עֻזָּ֔א in 1 Chron 13:11, LXX Διακοπὴ ̓Οζα meaning the breach of Uzzah). The name of the place where God struck Uzzah dead for touching the Ark of the covenant.

Both 2 Samuel 6:6-11 and 1 Chronicles 13:9-14 record the sin of Uzzah. As the Ark was being transported on an oxcart, Uzzah reached and touched it to stop it from tipping. God killed him for that, and David in anger named the place Perez-uzzah. The site is unknown, but must be between Jerusalem and Kiriath-jearim to the W.