URIAH, or URIJAH (in AV [Note: Authorized Version.] 1 below appears as Uriah [ Matthew 1:6 Urias ], 2 as Uriah in Isaiah 8:2 and Urijah in 2 Kings 16:10-16; 2 Kings 16:4 as Uriah in Ezra 8:33 and Urijah in Nehemiah 3:4; Nehemiah 3:21; while Urijah only is found in the case of 3 and 5 . In RV [Note: Revised Version.] Urijah is found only in 2 Kings 16:10-16 , Uriah elsewhere). 1 . One of David’s 30 heroes, the husband of Bathsheba. He was a Hittite, but, as the name indicates, doubtless a worshipper of Jahweh ( 2 Samuel 11:1-27; 2 Samuel 12:9-10; 2 Samuel 12:15; 1 Kings 15:6 , Matthew 1:6 ). After David’s ineffectual attempt to use him as a shield for his own sin, he was killed in battle in accordance with the instructions of David to Joab. 2 . High priest in the reign of Ahaz; called a ‘faithful witness’ in Isaiah 8:2 , but subservient to the innovations of Ahaz in 2 Kings 16:10-16 . The omission of the name in 1 Chronicles 6:4-15 may be due to textual corruption, since it appears in Jos. [Note: Josephus.] Ant. X. viii. 6, which is based on Chronicles. 3 . A prophet, son of Shemaiah of Kiriath-jearim. His denunciations against Judah and Jerusalem in the style of Jeremiah aroused the wrath of king Jehoiakim. Uriah fled to Egypt, was seized and slain by order of Jehoiakim, and was buried in the common graveyard ( Jeremiah 26:20-23 ). 4 . A priest ( Nehemiah 3:4; Nehemiah 3:21 ), son (representative) of Hakkoz, doubtless one of the courses of the priests ( 1 Chronicles 24:10 ). He was father (or ancestor) of Meremoth, an eminent priest ( Ezra 8:33 [ 1Es 8:62 Urias]). 5 . A man who stood on the right hand of Ezra when he read the Law ( Nehemiah 8:4 [ 1Es 9:43 Urias]).
George R. Berry.