And David was displeased, because the LORD had made a breach upon Uzza: wherefore that place is called Perezuzza to this day.

1 CHRONICLES 13:11KJV
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1 Chronicles 13:11 (KJV)

What does 1 Chronicles 13:11 mean?

1 Chronicles 13:11 describes how David became upset because the LORD had struck down Uzza, leading David to name that place Perezuzza, which means "the breach of Uzza." The verse highlights David's emotional reaction to God's sudden judgment and the lasting memory of the event through the place name.

David is the main figure in this verse, reacting to the death of Uzza, who had touched the ark of God during its transport. The situation takes place as David is bringing the ark to Jerusalem, but Uzza's action leads to God's anger and Uzza's death. The naming of the place, Perezuzza, serves as a reminder of the seriousness of approaching holy things in the wrong way.

The Hebrew behind 1 Chronicles 13:11

  • "Displeased" (חָרָה, charah) means to be angry or deeply upset. This word shows that David's reaction was not just sadness but a strong emotional disturbance.
  • "Made a breach" (פָּרַץ, parats) and "breach" (פֶּרֶץ, perets) both come from the same root, meaning to break out or burst forth. This language emphasizes the sudden and forceful nature of God's action against Uzza.
  • "Perezuzza" (פֶּרֶץ עֻזָּה, perets-uzza) literally means "the breach of Uzza." The name itself becomes a memorial to what happened, marking the spot as a place of God's judgment.

Why 1 Chronicles 13:11 matters

  • The verse clarifies that David's displeasure was not just personal grief but a troubled response to God's unexpected intervention, which shaped his approach to the ark afterward.
  • Naming the place Perezuzza shows how moments of judgment or warning in Israel's history were often remembered by naming locations, making the lesson visible to future generations.
  • This verse connects to the larger story by showing the seriousness of handling sacred things and sets up David's later carefulness in bringing the ark to Jerusalem.

Where else these words appear

“Perezuzza” Hebrew H6560 · used in 2 verses

  • 2 Samuel 6:8 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.

“Uzza” Hebrew H5798 · used in 14 verses

  • 2 Samuel 6:3 And they set the ark of God upon a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab that was in Gibeah: and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, drave the new cart.
  • 2 Kings 21:18 And Manasseh slept with his fathers, and was buried in the garden of his own house, in the garden of Uzza: and Amon his son reigned in his stead.
  • 1 Chronicles 13:7 And they carried the ark of God in a new cart out of the house of Abinadab: and Uzza and Ahio drave the cart.

“breach” Hebrew H6556 · used in 18 verses

  • Genesis 38:29 And it came to pass, as he drew back his hand, that, behold, his brother came out: and she said, How hast thou broken forth? this breach be upon thee: therefore his name was called Pharez.
  • 1 Chronicles 14:11 So they came up to Baalperazim; and David smote them there. Then David said, God hath broken in upon mine enemies by mine hand like the breaking forth of waters: therefore they called the name of that place Baalperazim.
  • Isaiah 30:13 Therefore this iniquity shall be to you as a breach ready to fall, swelling out in a high wall, whose breaking cometh suddenly at an instant.

“made” Hebrew H6555 · used in 48 verses

  • Genesis 28:14 And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed.
  • 2 Kings 14:13 And Jehoash king of Israel took Amaziah king of Judah, the son of Jehoash the son of Ahaziah, at Bethshemesh, and came to Jerusalem, and brake down the wall of Jerusalem from the gate of Ephraim unto the corner gate, four hundred cubits.
  • Job 1:10 Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.