Bible Dictionary
Urijah
Urijah was the name of a high priest under Ahaz, a priest present when Ezra read the Law, and a prophet killed by Jehoiakim. These men lived during different periods of Judah’s history.
Definition
Urijah was the name of several men, including a high priest under Ahaz, a priest present when Ezra read the Law, and a prophet from Kirjath-jearim in Jehoiakim’s reign.
Biblical Usage
The high priest Urijah followed Ahaz’s command to construct an altar like the one seen at Damascus, replacing the brazen altar. Another Urijah stood beside Ezra during the reading of the Law. The prophet Urijah fled to Egypt but was returned and killed by Jehoiakim.
Historical Background
The name means “the Lord is my light” or “light of Jehovah.” These references concern men from different periods of Judah’s history.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
The lord is my light. (1.) A high priest in the time of Ahaz (2 Kings 16:10-16), at whose bidding he constructed an idolatrous altar like one the king had seen at Damascus, to be set up instead of the brazen altar. (2.) One of the priests who stood at the right hand of Ezra’s pulpit when he read and expounded the law (Neh. 8:4). (3.) A prophet of Kirjath-jearim in the reign of Jehoiakim, king of Judah (Jer. 26:20-23). He fled into Egypt from the cruelty of the king, but having been brought back he was beheaded and his body “cast into the graves of the common people.”
Smith's Bible Dictionary
(light of Jehovah).
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>See URIAH, URIJAH.</p>