Bible Dictionaries
Uriah

Holman Bible Dictionary

(yoo ri' uh) Personal name meaning, “fire of Yah.” 1. A Hittite mercenary, or a native, perhaps noble Israelite of Hittite ancestry, in David's army (2 Samuel 11:1 ), a member of David's elite warriors (2 Samuel 23:39 ). He was the husband of Bathsheba, the woman with whom David committed adultery. The sin led to the eventual murder of Uriah after the king could cover the affair no longer. The Dead Sea Scrolls and Josephus report that Uriah was Joab's weapon-bearer. Uriah displayed more character and morality than did the king. See Bathsheba; David .

2. High priest in Jerusalem Temple under King Ahaz who followed the king's instructions in setting up an altar in the Temple according to a Syrian pattern (2 Kings 16:10-16 ). He apparently served as a witness for Isaiah (2 Kings 8:2 ).

3. Priest in time of Ezra and Nehemiah (Ezra 8:33; Nehemiah 3:4 ,Nehemiah 3:4,3:21 ). 4 . Person who helped Ezra in informing the people of God's word (Nehemiah 8:4 ).