Uzziel

"Uzziel" redirects here. For the Mishnah rabbi, see Jonathan ben Uzziel.

According to the Torah, Uzziel (Template:Lang-he, meaning El is my strength or God is my strength) was the father of Mishael, Elzaphan, and Zithri, and was a son of Kohath and grandson of Levi, consequently being the brother of Amram and uncle of Aaron, Miriam, and Moses. Uzziel is portrayed in the text as the founder of the Uzzielite faction of Levites; however, despite Uzziel supposedly being Kohath's son, and Elzaphan's father, on some occasions the Book of Chronicles treats the Uzzielites as being quite distinct from the descendants of Kohath, and from those of Elzaphan.

No further details of Uzziel's life are given by the Bible, and according to biblical scholars the genealogy for Levi's descendants is actually an aetiological myth, reflecting popular perception of the connections between different Levite factions; textual scholars attribute the genealogy to the Book of Generations, a document originating from a similar religiopolitical group and date to the priestly source).

According to the Christian angelic hierarchy, Uzziel is a powerful Cherubim. His name means "Strength of God." This strength brings to awareness the Love of God and the gift of Faith. Uzziel desires to teach Love and Gratitude. In the book of Exodus 32:24-32 there is a story about Jacob wrestling with an angel. That angel is thought to be Uzziel. Jacob was afraid for his life because Esau his brother, a strong and brutal man, was on his way to kill him. Jacob felt he had a choice; he could find a clever solution like he had done many times before, or he could give up the struggle and surrender completely to God. Jacob fought the angel all night, symbolizing his spiritual battle, and would not let the angel leave at daybreak unless he blessed him.

It was then that Jacob came out of the struggle with a new name, "Israel" claiming the power of his Faith.