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 6:8KJV
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2 Samuel 6:8 (KJV)

What does 2 Samuel 6:8 mean?

2 Samuel 6:8 describes David’s displeasure after the LORD struck Uzzah. David gives the place a name that preserves the memory of what happened there. The verse presents David’s reaction as part of the story of the ark’s journey.

The narrator calls Uzzah’s death a “breach,” a forceful breaking out against him. After Uzzah’s death in verse 7, the name David gives the place joins that image to Uzzah’s name. “To this day” tells the audience that the name remained in use at the time the story was told.

The Hebrew behind 2 Samuel 6:8

  • “displeased” — חָרָה (charah): This word can describe anger or a burning emotion. The KJV’s “displeased” may sound mild, but the word can suggest a stronger feeling.
  • “breach” — פֶּרֶץ (perets): This word means a breaking through or breaking out. It gives a picture of a sudden, forceful action rather than simply a gap in a wall.
  • “Perezuzzah” — פֶּרֶץ עֻזָּה (perets uzzah): The place name means “breach of Uzzah.” Its wording links the location to the event the narrator has just described.

Why 2 Samuel 6:8 matters

  • David’s response includes more than one emotion. Verse 8 says he was displeased; verse 9 adds that he was afraid of the LORD that day.
  • The place name marks an interruption in the ark’s journey. In verse 10, David does not take the ark on to the city of David, but leaves it at the house of Obed-edom. The ark was the sacred chest being brought to Jerusalem.

Where else these words appear

“Perezuzzah” Hebrew H6560 · used in 2 verses

  • 1 Chronicles 13:11 And David was displeased, because the LORD had made a breach upon Uzza: wherefore that place is called Perezuzza to this day.

“Uzzah” 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 21:26 And he was buried in his sepulchre in the garden of Uzza: and Josiah his son reigned in his stead.
  • 1 Chronicles 13:9 And when they came unto the threshingfloor of Chidon, Uzza put forth his hand to hold the ark; for the oxen stumbled.

“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.
  • 1 Chronicles 4:38 These mentioned by their names were princes in their families: and the house of their fathers increased greatly.
  • 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.