Uzziel

Uzziel is a name borne by several distinct men in the Hebrew Scriptures. The references fall under six headings: a son of Kohath whose line stands close to Aaron's, a captain among the Simeonites, a descendant of Bela, a musician trained for the sanctuary, a Levite of the sons of Jeduthun, and a goldsmith who repaired the wall of Jerusalem. The verses below preserve those groupings.

Uzziel Son of Kohath

The first Uzziel appears in the Levitical genealogy at the exodus. Ex 6:18 lists him among the sons of Kohath: "And the sons of Kohath: Amram, and Izhar, and Hebron, and Uzziel; and the years of the life of Kohath were a hundred thirty and three years." His own household is named in the next paragraph of the same chapter. Ex 6:22 reads, "And the sons of Uzziel: Mishael, and Elzaphan, and Sithri."

Two of those sons reappear after the death of Nadab and Abihu. Le 10:4 records, "And Moses called Mishael and Elzaphan, the sons of Uzziel the uncle of Aaron, and said to them, Draw near, carry your⁺ brothers from before the sanctuary out of the camp." The verse names Uzziel as Aaron's uncle, which fits the Kohath–Amram–Aaron and Kohath–Uzziel relationship of Ex 6.

In the wilderness organization the same household receives a chief. Nu 3:30 says: "And the prince of the fathers' house of the families of the Kohathites will be Elizaphan the son of Uzziel." The spelling Elizaphan in Numbers and Elzaphan in Exodus and Leviticus stands as the UPDV gives it.

A Simeonite Captain

A second Uzziel served among the warriors of Simeon. 1Ch 4:42 places him on a raid into the hill country: "And some of them, even of the sons of Simeon, five hundred men, went to mount Seir, having for their captains Pelatiah, and Neariah, and Rephaiah, and Uzziel, the sons of Ishi." His father Ishi distinguishes him from the Levitical Uzziel.

Son of Bela

A third Uzziel belongs to the tribe of Benjamin. 1Ch 7:7 includes him in Bela's household: "And the sons of Bela: Ezbon, and Uzzi, and Uzziel, and Jerimoth, and Iri, five; heads of fathers' houses, mighty men of valor; and they were reckoned by genealogy twenty and two thousand and thirty and four." The verse counts him among the heads of fathers' houses and ties his line to a register of fighting men.

A Son of Heman, the Musician

The fourth Uzziel was set apart for music in the sanctuary service organized under David. 1Ch 25:4 names him in Heman's family: "Of Heman; the sons of Heman: Bukkiah, Mattaniah, Uzziel, Shebuel, and Jerimoth, Hananiah, Hanani, Eliathah, Giddalti, and Romamti-ezer, Joshbekashah, Mallothi, Hothir, Mahazioth." He stands in the long line of musicians whose courses are listed in the chapter.

A Levite of the Sons of Jeduthun

A fifth Uzziel appears in Hezekiah's reform. 2Ch 29:14 lists him among those who answered the king's call to cleanse the temple: "and of the sons of Heman, Jehuel and Shimei; and of the sons of Jeduthun, Shemaiah and Uzziel." He is classed as a Levite distinct from the musician of 1Ch 25:4 and tied to Jeduthun's house.

A Goldsmith Who Repaired the Wall

The last Uzziel worked on the rebuilding of Jerusalem under Nehemiah. Ne 3:8 reads: "Next to him repaired Uzziel the son of Harhaiah, goldsmiths. And next to him repaired Hananiah one of the perfumers. And they left Jerusalem as far as the broad wall." His patronymic Harhaiah and his trade as a goldsmith mark him off from every other Uzziel in the list.