2 Samuel 6 7

2 Samuel 6:7 kjv

And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzzah; and God smote him there for his error; and there he died by the ark of God.

2 Samuel 6:7 nkjv

Then the anger of the LORD was aroused against Uzzah, and God struck him there for his error; and he died there by the ark of God.

2 Samuel 6:7 niv

The LORD's anger burned against Uzzah because of his irreverent act; therefore God struck him down, and he died there beside the ark of God.

2 Samuel 6:7 esv

And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzzah, and God struck him down there because of his error, and he died there beside the ark of God.

2 Samuel 6:7 nlt

Then the LORD's anger was aroused against Uzzah, and God struck him dead because of this. So Uzzah died right there beside the Ark of God.

2 Samuel 6 verses

2 Samuel 6 7 Meaning

This verse records the swift and severe judgment of the Lord upon Uzzah, who had stretched out his hand to steady the Ark of God when the oxen stumbled. God's anger was ignited, and He struck Uzzah dead on the spot because of his "error," an act of disobedience against specific divine commands concerning the handling of the Ark. The verse highlights the profound holiness of God and the strictness of His requirements for approaching and serving Him.

2 Samuel 6 7 Context

The narrative of 2 Samuel chapter 6 describes King David's initial attempt to bring the Ark of God, representing God's throne and presence among Israel, to Jerusalem. The Ark had been stored at Kirath-jearim for many years since its capture by the Philistines. David, with noble intentions to unify Israel around the divine presence, had the Ark placed on a new cart, a method borrowed from the Philistines when they returned the Ark (1 Sam 6:7-8). This was, however, explicitly against the divine instructions given in the Law, which prescribed that the Ark was to be carried on poles by Levites of the family of Kohath (Num 4:15; Exod 25:12-14). As the procession reached the threshing floor of Nacon (or Chidon in 1 Chr 13), the oxen stumbled, and Uzzah, walking beside the cart, reached out his hand to steady the Ark. His immediate death, as described in verse 7, was a direct divine response to this act, highlighting the absolute sanctity of the Ark and the unyielding requirements of God's holiness, particularly regarding His worship and the sacred objects tied to His presence. This event underscored the fundamental truth that God is to be approached on His terms, not on human ingenuity or good intentions that disregard divine commands.

2 Samuel 6 7 Word analysis

• And (וַיִּחַר֙ – vayyiḥar): Connects this severe action directly to Uzzah's preceding deed.

• the anger (אַף – 'aph) of the Lord (יְהוָ֣ה – YHWH): "Anger" denotes a hot, burning wrath. It's a manifestation of God's holy character against sin, specifically presumptuous disrespect for His sanctity. "YHWH" signifies God's covenant name, emphasizing His unique and absolute authority as the one true God who sets the standards for His presence.

• was kindled (וַיִּחַר֙ – vayyiḥar): From the root "חָרָה" (charah), meaning to burn, to glow with anger. It conveys immediacy and intensity, like a sudden burst of fire, signifying that Uzzah's act instantly provoked God's righteous wrath.

• against Uzzah (בְּעֻזָּ֔ה – b'Uzzah): Identifies the direct target of God's judgment. Uzzah was a contemporary and likely the son of Abinadab, in whose house the Ark resided, implying familiarity, but not exemption from the law.

• and God (הָאֱלֹהִ֛ים – ha'Elohim) struck him (וַיַּכֵּ֥הוּ – vayakkēhu): "Elohim" (often with the definite article 'ha' when referring to the unique God) signifies God's power and judicial authority. "Struck" (נָכָה – nakah) indicates a direct, fatal blow administered by God Himself. This was not an accident but a divine execution.

• there (שָׁ֖ם – sham): Points to the exact location (the threshing floor), underscoring the immediate, public nature of the judgment. The place later acquired the name "Perez-Uzzah" (Bursting out against Uzzah).

• for his error (עַל־הַשַּׁל – 'al ha-shal): The precise Hebrew word is not "shal" but "פֶּרֶץ" (perez) in the Masoretic Text of 2 Samuel 6:7, which literally means "a breaking forth," "a breach," or "a breakthrough." This "error" was not a simple mistake but a trespass or an intrusion upon what was sacred and forbidden. It implies a disregard for the sacred boundary, a violation of divine protocol, an act of presumption. Uzzah treated the holy Ark as a common object, effectively profaning it by his touch, implying that human hands were needed to preserve its stability rather than God's inherent power.

• and there (שָׁ֖ם – sham) he died (וַיָּמָת – vāyamot): Emphasizes the swift finality of the judgment, taking place immediately at the scene of his transgression.

• by the ark (אֲר֥וֹן – 'aron) of God (הָאֱלֹהִֽים – ha'Elohim): Clearly identifies the object whose holiness was violated and the source of the judgment. Uzzah died in direct proximity to the divine presence he presumptuously touched.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Uzzah": Highlights God's active and holy response to what He perceives as a direct challenge to His sacred authority. It is not merely human consequence but divine judgment.
  • "and God struck him there for his error": Establishes the direct cause-and-effect: Uzzah's "error" (breaching the sacred boundary/disobedience) led to God's immediate and fatal intervention. It emphasizes that the judgment was precise and deserved.
  • "and there he died by the ark of God": Confirms the consequence and underscores the severity of violating divine commands regarding sacred things and God's holy presence. The very object Uzzah sought to help became the instrument of his demise.

2 Samuel 6 7 Bonus section

• David's reaction and learning: Following Uzzah's death, David was first angry, then fearful, pausing the Ark's journey (2 Sam 6:8-10). He later realized his own sin in not consulting God's prescribed method (1 Chr 15:13), learning that proper procedure (Levites carrying on poles) was as crucial as pure motives. This shift in understanding led to the successful, reverent return of the Ark to Jerusalem (1 Chr 15).
• The Fear of the Lord: Uzzah's fate is a stark reminder that "the fear of the Lord" is not a mere emotional state but a profound reverence for God's holiness and power, compelling obedience to His commands. It underscores that disobedience has grave consequences.
• God's Unchanging Character: While New Covenant believers access God through Christ's sacrifice, the essence of God's holiness remains. He is still a "consuming fire" (Heb 12:29), demanding reverence, holiness, and obedience to His Word, emphasizing that true worship aligns with His will and commands, not human preference.

2 Samuel 6 7 Commentary

The incident of Uzzah's death at the Ark serves as a profound biblical object lesson on the absolute holiness of God and the non-negotiable nature of His commands concerning worship and approach. Despite David's seemingly pious intention to bring the Ark to Jerusalem and Uzzah's immediate reaction to prevent it from falling, their methods ignored the specific divine ordinances regarding the Ark's transport. Uzzah's touch, though perhaps well-intentioned from a human perspective, was an act of profound disobedience and presumption, treating the holy as common and failing to grasp the gravity of God's commands. God's immediate, severe judgment demonstrates that His holiness is not to be trifled with, nor can His explicit instructions be superseded by human reasoning or expediency. It teaches that approach to God must be on His terms, emphasizing meticulous obedience and deep reverence over mere good intentions. This event also shows that while God desires to dwell among His people, His dwelling place remains holy and must be approached with utter solemnity and fear.