Bible Dictionary
Uriah
Uriah was a Hittite soldier and one of David’s mighty men. David arranged his death after taking Bathsheba, Uriah’s wife; other men with the same name also appear in Scripture.
Definition
Uriah was the name of several biblical men, most notably the Hittite husband of Bathsheba and one of David’s mighty men. Other men named Uriah included a priest under Ahaz and the father of Meremoth.
Biblical Usage
David committed adultery with Bathsheba and then arranged for Uriah’s death before taking her as his wife. The account presents Uriah as the innocent victim of David’s wrongdoing. Other Uriahs served as a priest and as the father of a man mentioned in Ezra.
Historical Background
The name means “the Lord is my light” or “light of Jehovah.” Uriah the Hittite belonged to David’s band of mighty men.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
The Lord is my light. (1.) A Hittite, the husband of Bathsheba, whom David first seduced, and then after Uriah’s death married. He was one of the band of David’s “mighty men.” The sad story of the curel wrongs inflicted upon him by David and of his mournful death are simply told in the sacred record (2 Sam. 11:2-12:26). (See BATHSHEBA; DAVID.) (2.) A priest of the house of Ahaz (Isa. 8:2). (3.) The father of Meremoth, mentioned in Ezra 8:33.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
(light of Jehovah).