Uruah
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Introduction:
Uriah, often referred to as Uriah the Hittite, is a significant figure in the Old Testament, particularly in the narrative surrounding King David. His account is primarily found in the books of 2 Samuel and 1 Chronicles. Uriah is remembered for his loyalty, integrity, and the tragic circumstances of his death, which played a pivotal role in the moral and spiritual lessons derived from the life of King David.

Background and Identity:
Uriah was a Hittite, a member of a group of people who lived in the region of Canaan. Despite his foreign origin, Uriah was fully integrated into Israelite society and served as one of King David's mighty warriors, a testament to his valor and skill in battle. His name, meaning "Yahweh is my light," suggests that he was a worshiper of the God of Israel, further indicating his assimilation into the Israelite community.

Marriage to Bathsheba:
Uriah was married to Bathsheba, a woman of notable beauty. The Bible introduces Bathsheba in the context of King David's sin, which begins with David's adulterous affair with her while Uriah was away at war. This event is a critical turning point in David's reign and is recorded in 2 Samuel 11.

David's Sin and Uriah's Death:
While Uriah was engaged in battle against the Ammonites, King David remained in Jerusalem. During this time, David saw Bathsheba bathing and, overcome by desire, summoned her to the palace, resulting in her pregnancy. In an attempt to conceal his sin, David called Uriah back from the battlefield, hoping he would spend time with Bathsheba and thus attribute the pregnancy to him. However, Uriah's loyalty to his fellow soldiers and his sense of duty prevented him from enjoying the comforts of home while the Ark and Israel's army were in tents. As recorded in 2 Samuel 11:11 , Uriah said to David, "The ark and Israel and Judah are dwelling in tents, and my master Joab and the servants of my lord are camped in the open field. How could I go to my house to eat and drink and lie with my wife? As surely as you live and as your soul lives, I will not do such a thing!"

Frustrated by Uriah's integrity, David resorted to a more sinister plan. He instructed Joab, the commander of the army, to place Uriah at the forefront of the fiercest battle and then withdraw, leaving him exposed to the enemy. This plan succeeded, and Uriah was killed in battle, as detailed in 2 Samuel 11:15-17.

Aftermath and Legacy:
Following Uriah's death, David took Bathsheba as his wife, and she bore him a son. However, the prophet Nathan confronted David about his sin, leading to David's repentance and the pronouncement of divine judgment upon his household (2 Samuel 12). Uriah's death and the events surrounding it serve as a profound moral lesson on the consequences of sin, the abuse of power, and the importance of repentance.

Uriah's account is a testament to his unwavering loyalty and righteousness, contrasting sharply with David's moral failure. His inclusion in the biblical narrative underscores the themes of justice, integrity, and the far-reaching impact of sin. Uriah's legacy is preserved in the annals of biblical history as a man of honor, whose life and death continue to offer valuable lessons for believers.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
URIAH; URUAH

u-ri'-a, u-ri'-ja ('uriyah, in Jeremiah 26:20 'uriyahu, "flame of Yahweh" or "my light is Yahweh"; the Septuagint and the New Testament Our(e)ias, with variants; the King James Version has Urijah in 2 Kings 16:10-16 Nehemiah 3:4, 21; Nehemiah 8:4 Jeremiah 26:20):

(1) A Hittite, who had settled in Jerusalem at the time of David and who had entered David's service. He had become a worshipper of Yahweh (judging from the usual interpretations of his name) and had married a Hebrew wife, BATH-SHEBA (which see). David's sin with this woman occurred while Uriah was engaged in warfare, and David had him recalled to Jerusalem in order to hide what had transpired. Uriah, however, felt himself bound by the consecration of a soldier (compare 1 Samuel 21:5 Deuteronomy 23:10) and refused to do violence to his religion, so that David's ruse was in vain. (The point is missed here by speaking of Uriah's "chivalrous determination," as in HDB, IV, 837.) David, in desperation, wrote Joab instructions that were virtually a command to have Uriah murdered, and these instructions were duly carried out (2 Samuel 11:2-27). The inclusion of Uriah's name in the list of the "mighty men" in 2 Samuel 23:39 parallel Ch 11:41 is proof of his reputation as a soldier, and the name is found also in 2 Samuel 12:9, 10, 15 1 Kings 15:5; Matthew 1:6. On the occurrence in Matthew see especially Heffern, JBL, XXXI, 69; -1912.

(2) A priest under Ahaz, who carried into effect the latter's commands to introduce an Assyrian altar into the Temple and to use it for the sacrifices (2 Kings 16:10-16; see ALTAR). The same Uriah appears in Isaiah 8:2 as one of the two "faithful witnesses" taken by Isaiah in the matter of Maher-shalal-hash-baz. This description has seemed to many to conflict with Uriah's compliancy in obeying Ahaz, but it must be remembered that

(a) "faithful witness" means simply "one whom the people will believe," and

(b) the articles in the sanctuary were not held as immutably sacred in the time of Ahaz as they were in later days.

The omission of Uriah's name from the list in 1 Chronicles 6:10-14 is probably without significance, as Chronicles records only nine names from Solomon to the exile, showing that there must be many omissions. The corresponding list in Josephus, Ant, X, viii, 6, contains 18 names, including Uriah's.

(3) A son of Shemaiah, of Kiriath-jearim, and a contemporary of Jeremiah. He was a prophet, and his prophecy agreed with Jeremiah's in regards. Jehoiakim, roused to anger, arrested him, even at the trouble of a pursuit into Egypt, put him to death and desecrated his body (Jeremiah 20-23). The story is told partly in order to show the greatness of Jeremiah's dangers, partly to bear record of the goodness of AHIKAM (which see), Jeremiah's protector.

(4) A priest, the father of MEREMOTH (which see) (Ezra 8:33 Nehemiah 3:4, 21; 1 Esdras 8:62 ("Urias," the King James Version "Iri")).

(5) One of those on Ezra's right hand reading of the Law (Nehemiah 8:4; 1 Esdras 9:43 ("Urias")). Quite possibly identical with (4) above.

Burton Scott Easton

Thesaurus
Uruah
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia URIAH; URUAH. u-ri'-a, u-ri'-ja ('uriyah,
in Jeremiah 26:20 'uriyahu, "flame of Yahweh" or "my light ...
/u/uruah.htm - 10k

Us (15692 Occurrences)

/u/us.htm - 6k

Urn (1 Occurrence)

/u/urn.htm - 7k

Uriah (33 Occurrences)
... (2.) A priest of the house of Ahaz (Isaiah 8:2). (3.) The father of Meremoth, mentioned
in Ezra 8:33. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. URIAH; URUAH. ...
/u/uriah.htm - 22k

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Uruah

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