U is for Uzzah

U's for Uzzah, who manhandled the Ark.
When the Lord smote him, oh boy, did he spark!

Portia: When the Ark of the Covenant was being transported, the unfortunate Uzzah "reached out his hand to the ark of God and took hold of it, for the oxen shook it. The anger of the Lord was kindled against Uzzah; and God struck him there because he reached out his hand to the ark; and he died there beside the ark of God" (2 Samuel 6:3).

 In Raiders of the Lost Ark, Indiana Jones and Sallah lift the Ark with long poles to avoid touching it, hoping to avoid the fate that Uzzah faced.

 Thomas: The painting in Gruesome and Gorey Bible Stories is a self-portrait. I photographed myself in costume with a model Ark of the Covenant found in the church basement. I used the photograph as reference for the painting. Uzzah's melting face is a nod to the aforementioned Raiders.


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