Urijah is a name found in the Old Testament, associated with several individuals who played significant roles in the history of Israel and Judah. The name Urijah means "Yahweh is my light" or "flame of Yahweh," reflecting a theophoric element common in Hebrew names.

1. Urijah the Priest: Urijah was a prominent priest during the reign of King Ahaz of Judah. He is notably mentioned in 2 Kings 16:10-16. King Ahaz, influenced by the Assyrian altar he saw in Damascus, instructed Urijah to construct a similar altar in Jerusalem. Urijah complied with the king's command, building the altar and making sacrifices upon it. This act is often viewed as a departure from the traditional worship practices established by God, as it introduced foreign elements into the worship of Yahweh. The Berean Standard Bible records this event: "Then King Ahaz went to Damascus to meet Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria. He saw the altar in Damascus and sent to Urijah the priest a model of the altar and a detailed design of its construction" (2 Kings 16:10). Urijah's actions reflect the complex relationship between religious leaders and the monarchy, highlighting the challenges of maintaining religious purity amidst political pressures.

2. Urijah the Prophet: Another Urijah, the son of Shemaiah from Kiriath-jearim, was a prophet during the time of King Jehoiakim. He is mentioned in Jeremiah 26:20-23. Urijah prophesied against Jerusalem and Judah, similar to the prophet Jeremiah, warning of impending judgment due to the nation's sins. His message angered King Jehoiakim, who sought to kill him. Urijah fled to Egypt, but the king sent men to bring him back. Upon his return, Urijah was executed by the sword and his body was cast into the burial place of the common people. This account underscores the peril faced by prophets who faithfully delivered God's messages, often at great personal risk.

3. Urijah the Father of Meremoth: In the post-exilic period, Urijah is mentioned as the father of Meremoth, a priest who participated in the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem under Nehemiah's leadership (Nehemiah 3:4, 21). This Urijah is part of the lineage of priests who returned from Babylonian exile, contributing to the restoration of Jerusalem and the reestablishment of proper worship practices.

4. Urijah the High Priest: In 1 Chronicles 6:24, Urijah is listed among the descendants of Levi, specifically within the priestly line. This genealogical record emphasizes the continuity of the Levitical priesthood and its importance in maintaining the spiritual life of Israel.

The various individuals named Urijah in the Bible illustrate the diverse roles played by priests and prophets in Israel's history. They were often at the intersection of religious duty and political influence, navigating the complexities of their times while striving to uphold the worship of Yahweh.

From Megiddo to Carchemish, 608-605.
... And they took forth Urijah thence and brought him to the king, and slew him with
the sword, and cast his corpse into the graves of the sons of the people.24. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/smith/jeremiah/1 from megiddo to carchemish.htm

Urijah's (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Urijah's (1 Occurrence). ... And Jehovah smote the child that
Urijah's wife bore to David, and it became very sick. (DBY). ...
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Urijah (29 Occurrences)
... people.". Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. URIJAH. See URIAH, URIJAH.
Multi-Version Concordance Urijah (29 Occurrences). 2 ...
/u/urijah.htm - 16k

Urim (8 Occurrences)

/u/urim.htm - 21k

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