2 Samuel 6 8

2 Samuel 6:8 kjv

And David was displeased, because the LORD had made a breach upon Uzzah: and he called the name of the place Perezuzzah to this day.

2 Samuel 6:8 nkjv

And David became angry because of the LORD's outbreak against Uzzah; and he called the name of the place Perez Uzzah to this day.

2 Samuel 6:8 niv

Then David was angry because the LORD's wrath had broken out against Uzzah, and to this day that place is called Perez Uzzah.

2 Samuel 6:8 esv

And David was angry because the LORD had broken out against Uzzah. And that place is called Perez-uzzah to this day.

2 Samuel 6:8 nlt

David was angry because the LORD's anger had burst out against Uzzah. He named that place Perez-uzzah (which means "to burst out against Uzzah"), as it is still called today.

2 Samuel 6 verses

2 Samuel 6 8 Meaning

2 Samuel 6:8 describes David's intense reaction to God's sudden judgment upon Uzzah, who died after touching the Ark of the Covenant. David was "displeased" or angry, a response likely mingled with fear and perplexity at the severity of God's action. In remembrance of this severe divine "bursting forth," David named the location "Perez-Uzzah," marking it as a perpetual reminder of God's holiness and the serious consequences of mishandling sacred things or disobeying divine commands. This event underscored the absolute sanctity of God and the strict requirements for approaching Him, highlighting that human intentions, even seemingly good ones, cannot override God's explicit decrees.

2 Samuel 6 8 Context

Chapter 6 of 2 Samuel describes David's attempt to bring the Ark of the Covenant, God's sacred presence, from Kiriath-Jearim to Jerusalem, the new capital. Initially, David's intentions appear pious, aiming to centralize worship. However, he disregards the explicit Mosaic Law (Num 4:15; Exod 25:14-15) regarding the Ark's transport, placing it on a new cart drawn by oxen instead of having it carried by Kohathite Levites using poles. When the oxen stumbled, Uzzah reached out to steady the Ark. Although his intention may have seemed protective, it was a direct violation of God's command not to touch it, for which God immediately struck him dead. Verse 8 captures David's emotional turmoil – his anger and subsequent naming of the place – as a direct consequence of this devastating divine judgment, leading him to abandon the journey for a period, overwhelmed by God's holiness and power. This event underscores that reverence and obedience to God's precise instructions are paramount in approaching Him.

2 Samuel 6 8 Word analysis

• And David was displeased:

  • "displeased" (חָרָה - charah): This Hebrew term signifies a strong emotional reaction, literally "to burn" or "be kindled." While often translated as "anger," it encompasses a broader sense of being grieved, vexed, or indignant. David's displeasure was complex, likely a mix of grief for Uzzah, frustration at the disruption, fear of God's unexpected severity, and perhaps even resentment at what seemed to him an unjust or excessive punishment. This burning emotion contrasts with Uzzah's instant death. It highlights David's human reaction to a divine act. Even the chosen king was prone to human feelings when faced with God's awe-inspiring holiness and judgment, showing that God is not always predictable or comprehensible by human standards.

• because the LORD had burst forth against Uzzah:

  • "the LORD" (יְהוָה - YHWH): The covenant name of God, emphasizing His sovereign power, His personal involvement, and His adherence to His own divine standards. This makes clear that Uzzah's death was a direct divine action, not an accident.
  • "burst forth" (פָּרַץ - paratz): This verb means "to break through," "break out," or "burst out violently." It implies a sudden, forceful, and unrestrained breaking out of divine wrath. It is a polemic against any notion of a passive or indifferent deity; YHWH is active and sovereign, responding decisively to desecration. This breaking forth also denotes that God's power was constrained but broke out upon this violation, making a profound statement.
  • "against Uzzah": Uzzah (עֻזָּה - Uzzah, meaning "strength") represents not only a single person but the broader disregard for God's holiness in the attempt to bring the Ark. His name's irony, "my strength," might imply misplaced human reliance or strength to control divine presence. This phrase pinpoints the precise reason for David's displeasure: God's severe and unexpected intervention. It underscores the concept of God's holy anger, an intrinsic aspect of His justice when His commands are defied. The sudden "bursting forth" serves as a powerful reminder of God's transcendent holiness, not to be taken lightly or approached presumptuously.

• and he called the name of the place Perez-Uzzah to this day:

  • "Perez-Uzzah" (פֶּרֶץ עֻזָּה - Perets `Uzzah): Meaning "the bursting forth upon Uzzah" or "the breakthrough of Uzzah." This is an etiological name, explaining the origin of the place-name.
  • "to this day": This phrase is a common biblical historiographical marker. It confirms the enduring memory and significance of the event for the original readers, indicating that the consequences and the lesson learned were still relevant and remembered long after David's time. The naming serves as a permanent memorial, a tangible reminder of the solemn lesson learned regarding God's holiness and the serious nature of disobedience. It cemented the place as a sacred, albeit fearful, monument to divine justice, preventing people from forgetting the awesome power of God's presence.

• Words-group by Words-group analysis:

  • "And David was displeased because the LORD had burst forth": This phrase starkly contrasts David's human reaction (displeasure) with God's divine action (bursting forth). It reveals the tension between human understanding and divine judgment. David, despite his spiritual devotion, initially struggles to reconcile the perceived harshness with his expectations.
  • "the LORD had burst forth against Uzzah": This specific emphasis underscores that God's action was intentional and directed. It wasn't an accident or a general judgment; it was a targeted response to Uzzah's specific act of irreverence. It served as a powerful, immediate, and visible deterrent against any further presumption concerning the Ark.

2 Samuel 6 8 Bonus section

The incident at Perez-Uzzah is a foundational lesson on the attributes of God, particularly His transcendent holiness (Deut 4:24) and righteous judgment (Rom 1:18). It vividly demonstrates that God is not to be manipulated or approached with human presumption or familiarity, but with utmost reverence and careful obedience (Heb 12:28-29). This concept, often called the "fear of the Lord" (Prov 9:10), is critical for true worship and wisdom. For ancient Israelites, Uzzah's death would have underscored the tangible danger of God's presence for those who transgress, a counter-narrative to common pagan beliefs where gods could be coerced or were less concerned with human action. The polemical aspect is that YHWH is not like other deities that can be casually handled; His divine presence brings judgment to those who disregard His law. David's subsequent actions in carefully inquiring how to transport the Ark properly (1 Chr 15) illustrate the spiritual growth that stems from such a profound encounter with God's holiness and His unyielding standards. The event also subtly prepares the people for the stringent holiness required of those in priestly roles and the general need for sanctification within the community.

2 Samuel 6 8 Commentary

2 Samuel 6:8 encapsulates David’s complex reaction to God’s immediate judgment on Uzzah. His "displeasure" reflects not just sorrow or shock, but an element of human frustration or anger at the perceived severity of God's response. This incident was a severe lesson that God's holiness is absolute and His commands regarding sacred worship must be precisely observed. Uzzah's error was not mere carelessness, but a violation of specific laws for handling the Ark (Num 4), illustrating that good intentions cannot substitute for obedience to divine instruction. The naming of "Perez-Uzzah" ensured that the tragic lesson — that God will "burst forth" against any casual or irreverent handling of His holy presence — would remain vivid "to this day." This event transformed David's understanding of worship, leading him to later transport the Ark correctly (1 Chr 15), recognizing that serving God must be done not only with enthusiasm but also with precise reverence and awe, according to His revealed will. It teaches that the purity of worship is non-negotiable and approaching God demands not only love but also reverent fear and humble obedience.

• Example for Practical Usage: Just as Uzzah’s well-intentioned touch was deemed an offense due to disobedience, believers today are called to serve God in ways that honor His revealed truth. This means ensuring our methods of ministry or worship align with biblical principles, not just human ingenuity or tradition. It underscores that personal conviction, though important, must submit to the authority of God's Word, and casualness concerning holy things or commands invites God's displeasure.