1 Chronicles 13:10
New International Version
The LORD’s anger burned against Uzzah, and he struck him down because he had put his hand on the ark. So he died there before God.

New Living Translation
Then the LORD’s anger was aroused against Uzzah, and he struck him dead because he had laid his hand on the Ark. So Uzzah died there in the presence of God.

English Standard Version
And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzzah, and he struck him down because he put out his hand to the ark, and he died there before God.

Berean Standard Bible
And the anger of the LORD burned against Uzzah, and He struck him down because he had put his hand on the ark. So he died there before God.

King James Bible
And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzza, and he smote him, because he put his hand to the ark: and there he died before God.

New King James Version
Then the anger of the LORD was aroused against Uzza, and He struck him because he put his hand to the ark; and he died there before God.

New American Standard Bible
But the anger of the LORD burned against Uzza, so He struck him because he had put out his hand toward the ark; and he died there before God.

NASB 1995
The anger of the LORD burned against Uzza, so He struck him down because he put out his hand to the ark; and he died there before God.

NASB 1977
And the anger of the LORD burned against Uzza, so He struck him down because he put out his hand to the ark; and he died there before God.

Legacy Standard Bible
And the anger of Yahweh burned against Uzza, and He struck him down because he reached out with his hand to the ark; and he died there before God.

Amplified Bible
The anger of the LORD burned against Uzza, and He struck him down because he touched the ark; and there he died before God.

Christian Standard Bible
Then the LORD’s anger burned against Uzzah, and he struck him dead because he had reached out to the ark. So he died there in the presence of God.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then the LORD’s anger burned against Uzzah, and He struck him dead because he had reached out to the ark. So he died there in the presence of God.

American Standard Version
And the anger of Jehovah was kindled against Uzza, and he smote him, because he put forth his hand to the ark; and there he died before God.

Contemporary English Version
The LORD God was very angry with Uzzah for doing this, and he killed Uzzah right there beside the chest.

English Revised Version
And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzza, and he smote him, because he put forth his hand to the ark: and there he died before God.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The LORD became angry with Uzzah and killed him for reaching for the ark. He died in God's presence.

Good News Translation
At once the LORD became angry with Uzzah and killed him for touching the Box. He died there in God's presence,

International Standard Version
Just then, the anger of the LORD blazed against Uzzah, and he struck him down because he had put his hand on the ark, and he died right there in the presence of God.

Majority Standard Bible
And the anger of the LORD burned against Uzzah, and He struck him down because he had put his hand on the ark. So he died there before God.

NET Bible
The LORD was so furious with Uzzah, he killed him, because he reached out his hand and touched the ark. He died right there before God.

New Heart English Bible
The anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzza, and he struck him, because he put forth his hand to the ark; and there he died before God.

Webster's Bible Translation
And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzza, and he smote him, because he put his hand to the ark: and there he died before God.

World English Bible
Yahweh’s anger burned against Uzza, and he struck him because he put his hand on the ark; and he died there before God.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and the anger of YHWH is kindled against Uzza, and He strikes him, because that he has put forth his hand on the Ark, and he dies there before God.

Young's Literal Translation
and the anger of Jehovah is kindled against Uzza, and He smiteth him, because that he hath put forth his hand on the ark, and he dieth there before God.

Smith's Literal Translation
And the anger of Jehovah will be kindled against Uzza, and he will strike him for that he stretched forth his hand upon the ark: and he will die their before God.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And the Lord was angry with Oza, and struck him, because he had touched the ark; and he died there before the Lord.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And so the Lord became angry against Uzzah. And he struck him down because he had touched the ark. And he died there before the Lord.

New American Bible
Then the LORD became angry with Uzzah and struck him, because he had laid his hand on the ark; he died there in God’s presence.

New Revised Standard Version
The anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzzah; he struck him down because he put out his hand to the ark; and he died there before God.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzza, and he smote him there because he put forth his hand to the ark; and he died there before the ark.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And LORD JEHOVAH was provoked against Aza, and he struck him there, because he had reached his hand upon the ark, and he died there before the ark.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzza, and He smote him, because he put forth his hand to the ark; and there he died before God.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the Lord was very angry with Oza, and smote him there, because of his stretching forth his hand upon the ark: and he died there before God.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Uzzah Touches the Ark
9When they came to the threshing floor of Chidon, Uzzah reached out and took hold of the ark, because the oxen had stumbled. 10And the anger of the LORD burned against Uzzah, and He struck him down because he had put his hand on the ark. So he died there before God. 11Then David became angry because the LORD had burst forth against Uzzah; so he named that place Perez-uzzah, as it is called to this day.…

Cross References
2 Samuel 6:7
And the anger of the LORD burned against Uzzah, and God struck him down on the spot for his irreverence, and he died there beside the ark of God.

Numbers 4:15
When Aaron and his sons have finished covering the holy objects and all their equipment, as soon as the camp is ready to move, the Kohathites shall come and do the carrying. But they must not touch the holy objects, or they will die. These are the transportation duties of the Kohathites regarding the Tent of Meeting.

Leviticus 10:1-2
Now Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu took their censers, put fire in them and added incense, and offered unauthorized fire before the LORD, contrary to His command. / So fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed them, and they died in the presence of the LORD.

2 Samuel 6:6-8
When they came to the threshing floor of Nacon, Uzzah reached out and took hold of the ark of God, because the oxen had stumbled. / And the anger of the LORD burned against Uzzah, and God struck him down on the spot for his irreverence, and he died there beside the ark of God. / Then David became angry because the LORD had burst forth against Uzzah. So he named that place Perez-uzzah, as it is called to this day.

Numbers 16:35
And fire came forth from the LORD and consumed the 250 men who were offering the incense.

1 Samuel 6:19
But God struck down some of the people of Beth-shemesh because they looked inside the ark of the LORD. He struck down seventy men, and the people mourned because the LORD had struck them with a great slaughter.

2 Kings 7:2
But the officer on whose arm the king leaned answered the man of God, “Look, even if the LORD were to make windows in heaven, could this really happen?” “You will see it with your own eyes,” replied Elisha, “but you will not eat any of it.”

2 Kings 7:17-20
Now the king had appointed the officer on whose arm he leaned to be in charge of the gate, but the people trampled him in the gateway, and he died, just as the man of God had foretold when the king had come to him. / It happened just as the man of God had told the king: “About this time tomorrow at the gate of Samaria, two seahs of barley will sell for a shekel, and a seah of fine flour will sell for a shekel.” / And the officer had answered the man of God, “Look, even if the LORD were to make windows in heaven, could this really happen?” So Elisha had replied, “You will see it with your own eyes, but you will not eat any of it!” ...

Acts 5:1-11
Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. / With his wife’s full knowledge, he kept back some of the proceeds for himself, but brought a portion and laid it at the apostles’ feet. / Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and withhold some of the proceeds from the land? ...

1 Corinthians 11:30-32
That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. / Now if we judged ourselves properly, we would not come under judgment. / But when we are judged by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be condemned with the world.

Hebrews 10:28-31
Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. / How much more severely do you think one deserves to be punished who has trampled on the Son of God, profaned the blood of the covenant that sanctified him, and insulted the Spirit of grace? / For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay,” and again, “The Lord will judge His people.” ...

1 Corinthians 10:11
Now these things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come.

Romans 15:4
For everything that was written in the past was written for our instruction, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures, we might have hope.

1 Corinthians 10:6
These things took place as examples to keep us from craving evil things as they did.

2 Samuel 6:9
That day David feared the LORD and asked, “How can the ark of the LORD ever come to me?”


Treasury of Scripture

And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzza, and he smote him, because he put his hand to the ark: and there he died before God.

he put

1 Chronicles 15:13,15
For because ye did it not at the first, the LORD our God made a breach upon us, for that we sought him not after the due order…

Numbers 4:15
And when Aaron and his sons have made an end of covering the sanctuary, and all the vessels of the sanctuary, as the camp is to set forward; after that, the sons of Kohath shall come to bear it: but they shall not touch any holy thing, lest they die. These things are the burden of the sons of Kohath in the tabernacle of the congregation.

Joshua 6:6
And Joshua the son of Nun called the priests, and said unto them, Take up the ark of the covenant, and let seven priests bear seven trumpets of rams' horns before the ark of the LORD.

there he died

Leviticus 10:1-3
And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the LORD, which he commanded them not…

Numbers 16:35
And there came out a fire from the LORD, and consumed the two hundred and fifty men that offered incense.

1 Samuel 6:19
And he smote the men of Bethshemesh, because they had looked into the ark of the LORD, even he smote of the people fifty thousand and threescore and ten men: and the people lamented, because the LORD had smitten many of the people with a great slaughter.

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Anger Ark Burned Burning Death Destruction Died Dieth Forth Hand Kindled Lord's Smiteth Smote Struck Uzza Uzzah Wrath
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Anger Ark Burned Burning Death Destruction Died Dieth Forth Hand Kindled Lord's Smiteth Smote Struck Uzza Uzzah Wrath
1 Chronicles 13
1. David fetches the ark with great solemnity from Kirjath Jearim
9. Uzza being smitten, the ark is left at the house of Obed-Edom














And the anger of the LORD burned against Uzzah
This phrase indicates God's intense displeasure, a recurring theme when His holiness is violated. The anger of the LORD is often depicted in the Old Testament as a response to disobedience or irreverence (e.g., Numbers 11:1, 2 Samuel 6:7). Uzzah's action was a direct violation of God's command regarding the handling of the Ark of the Covenant, which was to be carried by Levites using poles (Exodus 25:14-15, Numbers 4:15). This incident underscores the seriousness with which God views His instructions and the sanctity of His presence.

and He struck him down
The immediate consequence of Uzzah's action was divine judgment. This reflects the holiness of God and the seriousness of approaching Him with reverence and obedience. The act of striking down is a demonstration of God's justice, similar to other instances where God's holiness was compromised, such as the deaths of Nadab and Abihu (Leviticus 10:1-2). It serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of disregarding God's commands.

because he had put his hand on the ark
Touching the Ark was strictly forbidden, as it was the physical representation of God's presence among His people. The Ark was to be treated with utmost respect and was only to be handled by designated individuals under specific conditions (Numbers 4:15). Uzzah's action, though seemingly well-intentioned, was a breach of divine protocol, highlighting the importance of obedience over human reasoning. This incident emphasizes the need for reverence in worship and adherence to God's instructions.

So he died there before God
Uzzah's death occurred in the presence of God, illustrating the immediate and direct nature of divine judgment. This phrase emphasizes the seriousness of the situation and the reality of God's holiness. The location of his death, "before God," signifies the sacredness of the event and the presence of God in the midst of His people. It serves as a powerful reminder of the need for holiness and reverence in the presence of the Almighty, echoing the broader biblical theme that God is to be approached with fear and respect (Hebrews 12:28-29).

Persons / Places / Events
1. Uzzah
A man who was struck down by God for touching the Ark of the Covenant. His action, though seemingly well-intentioned, violated the sacredness of the Ark.

2. The Ark of the Covenant
A sacred chest that held the tablets of the Ten Commandments, representing God's presence and covenant with Israel. It was to be handled with utmost reverence and according to specific divine instructions.

3. David
The King of Israel who organized the transport of the Ark to Jerusalem. His desire was to bring the Ark to the city, but the method of transport was not in accordance with God's law.

4. The Anger of the LORD
This event highlights God's holiness and the seriousness of His commands. The anger of the LORD is a response to disobedience and irreverence.

5. Perez Uzzah
The place where Uzzah was struck down, named to commemorate the event. It serves as a reminder of the consequences of not following God's instructions.
Teaching Points
Reverence for God's Holiness
God's holiness demands our utmost respect and obedience. We must approach Him with reverence, understanding the seriousness of His commands.

Obedience to God's Instructions
God's instructions are not arbitrary; they are given for our good and His glory. We must strive to understand and follow His Word diligently.

The Consequences of Disobedience
Disobedience, even with good intentions, can lead to severe consequences. We must be careful to align our actions with God's will.

The Importance of Proper Worship
Worship must be conducted in a manner that honors God. This includes following His guidelines and maintaining a heart of humility and reverence.

Learning from Biblical Examples
The account of Uzzah serves as a cautionary tale. We should learn from such examples to avoid similar mistakes in our spiritual journey.(10) And he smote him.--Abridged from "and God smote him there" (Samuel).

Because he put his hand to the ark.--"Because he put" is in the Heb., 'al 'asher shalah. For this Samuel has 'al hashshal, an obscure phrase, occurring nowhere else in the Old Testament. The similarity of letters in the two phrases can hardly be accidental, but whether the chronicler has given the original text of the passage as he found it preserved in his source, or whether he has himself made a guess at the true reading, cannot be determined. The Syriac of Samuel reads, "because he put forth his hand;" and so the Arabic, adding, "to the ark." The Targum, "because he sinned" (using a word like hashshal). The Vat. LXX. omits the phrase.

Before God.--Samuel, "by the ark of God." This explains the same phrase in 1Chronicles 13:8. (Comp. for the event 1Samuel 6:19.)

Verse 10. - There seems some little uncertainty as to why Uzza was to blame in a desire that would appear both praiseworthy and instinctive, to steady the ark or save it from actually falling. Uzza was probably not a priest or Levite, and it is so distinctly said his sin consisted in putting his hand to the ark, that perhaps the direction of Numbers 4:15 may be sufficient account of the matter. Special injunction had been given (Exodus 25:14, 15) that the poles with which to bear it should not be taken out of the rings, but be always stationary there. If we suppose that it was not a question of the ark being absolutely overthrown, but simply of its riding unsteadily, his presumptuousness would not have the further defence of an instinctive impulse.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
And the anger
אַ֤ף (’ap̄)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 639: The nose, nostril, the face, a person, ire

of the LORD
יְהוָה֙ (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

burned
וַיִּֽחַר־ (way·yi·ḥar-)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2734: To glow, grow warm, to blaze up, of anger, zeal, jealousy

against Uzzah,
בְּעֻזָּ֔א (bə·‘uz·zā)
Preposition-b | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 5798: Uzza -- four Israelites

and He struck him
וַיַּכֵּ֕הוּ (way·yak·kê·hū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5221: To strike

down
עַ֛ל (‘al)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

because
אֲשֶׁר־ (’ă·šer-)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

he had put
שָׁלַ֥ח (šā·laḥ)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7971: To send away, for, out

his hand
יָד֖וֹ (yā·ḏōw)
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 3027: A hand

on
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

the ark.
הָאָר֑וֹן (hā·’ā·rō·wn)
Article | Noun - common singular
Strong's 727: A chest, ark

So he died
וַיָּ֥מָת (way·yā·māṯ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 4191: To die, to kill

there
שָׁ֖ם (šām)
Adverb
Strong's 8033: There, then, thither

before
לִפְנֵ֥י (lip̄·nê)
Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440: The face

God.
אֱלֹהִֽים׃ (’ĕ·lō·hîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative


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OT History: 1 Chronicles 13:10 The anger of Yahweh was kindled against (1 Chron. 1Ch iCh i Ch 1 chr 1chr)
1 Chronicles 13:9
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