Lexical Summary Uzay: Uzai Original Word: אוּזַי Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Uzai Perhaps by permutation for Uzziy, strong; Uzai, an Israelite -- Uzai. see HEBREW Uzziy NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof uncertain derivation Definition a Judean NASB Translation Uzai (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs אוּזַי proper name, masculine a JudÊan, Nehemiah 3:25. Topical Lexicon Biblical Occurrence Uzai appears once in Scripture, in Nehemiah 3:25, where his son Palal is named among those repairing Jerusalem’s wall after the exile: “Palal son of Uzai made repairs opposite the Angle and the tower projecting from the upper palace near the court of the guard” (Nehemiah 3:25). Though briefly mentioned, Uzai’s inclusion situates his household within the monumental work of restoration led by Nehemiah. Historical Context The book of Nehemiah chronicles the return of Jewish exiles from Babylonian captivity and their labor to rebuild Jerusalem’s walls (Nehemiah 1–6). This effort occurred during the reign of the Persian king Artaxerxes around 445–433 BC. The listing of individual families and clans—including Uzai’s—underscores the covenant community’s unified resolve to reclaim its identity, security, and worship center after decades of desolation (Nehemiah 3:1, 3:28, 4:6). Family Legacy and Role in the Reconstruction While Uzai himself is not recorded performing the repairs, his son Palal works on a strategic portion “opposite the Angle and the tower.” Such fortifications safeguarded vulnerable points in the city’s defenses. In biblical genealogies, paternal names confer honor and accountability on succeeding generations (Numbers 1:18). Uzai’s legacy is thus woven into the narrative of revival, demonstrating how faithful households contribute to corporate obedience. Theological Nuances of the Name Uzai’s name is related to the Hebrew concept of strength. Nehemiah repeatedly highlights God’s empowering might amid opposition: “The God of heaven will give us success” (Nehemiah 2:20). The appearance of a name connoting strength within the wall-building roster subtly reinforces the theme that divine fortitude undergirds human effort (Nehemiah 6:16; Psalm 28:7). Ministry Significance 1. Generational Stewardship: Uzai’s mention reminds believers that spiritual influence often manifests through the next generation’s service (Deuteronomy 6:6-7; 2 Timothy 1:5). Related Biblical Themes • Restoration of Worship (Ezra 3:10-11; Nehemiah 12:27-43) Christological Echoes The rebuilt wall anticipated a greater salvation accomplished by Messiah, whose redemptive work secures the spiritual “city” of God’s people (Hebrews 11:10; Revelation 21:2). Uzai’s implicit testimony to divine strength foreshadows Christ, “the power of God” (1 Corinthians 1:24), through whom ultimate restoration is realized. Practical Applications • Encourage families to cultivate faith that equips children for public witness. Uzai, though scarcely noticed, exemplifies the quiet but indispensable thread of covenant loyalty that binds individual households to God’s unfolding redemptive history. Forms and Transliterations אוּזַי֮ אוזי ’ū·zay ’ūzay uZaiLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Nehemiah 3:25 HEB: פָּלָ֣ל בֶּן־ אוּזַי֮ מִנֶּ֣גֶד הַמִּקְצוֹעַ֒ NAS: the son of Uzai [made repairs] in front KJV: the son of Uzai, over against the turning INT: Palal the son of Uzai front of the Angle |
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