Uriah אוּרִיָּה
Hittite soldier; husband of Bathsheba
Who is Uriah in the Bible?
Uriah the Hittite was a soldier in King David's army whose story is recorded primarily in 2 Samuel 11 and 12. He was married to Bathsheba, with whom King David committed adultery while Uriah was away fighting in battle. When Bathsheba became pregnant, David attempted to conceal his sin by recalling Uriah from the battlefield and encouraging him to go home to his wife, but Uriah's sense of duty and loyalty prevented him from enjoying comforts while his fellow soldiers remained in battle. David then arranged for Uriah to be killed in battle by sending him to the front lines with sealed orders to the commander Joab to withdraw support and leave him exposed. Uriah's death illustrates the destructive consequences of David's sin and serves as a pivotal moment in David's reign, demonstrating how one act of disobedience led to deceit, manipulation, and murder.
Biography
Uriah, often referred to as Uriah the Hittite, was a soldier in King David's army (2 Samuel 11; 12:9-10, 15; 23:39; 1Ki.15.5; 1Ch.11.41; Mat.1.6). He was married to Bathsheba, with whom David committed adultery while Uriah was away fighting in battle. When Bathsheba became pregnant, David attempted to cover up his sin by summoning Uriah back from the battle and encouraging him to sleep with his wife. However, Uriah's loyalty and sense of duty prevented him from enjoying the comforts of home while his fellow soldiers were in battle. David then sent Uriah back to the front lines with a letter instructing the commander, Joab, to place Uriah in the fiercest part of the battle and then withdraw, ensuring his death. After Uriah's death, David took Bathsheba as his wife, but the Lord was displeased with David's actions. The prophet Nathan confronted David about his sin, and David faced severe consequences, including the death of the child conceived through adultery. Uriah's loyalty and righteousness stand in stark contrast to David's abuse of power and moral failure, serving as a reminder of the importance of integrity and the consequences of sin.
Family
In Scripture
4 biblical books ; 1 with study content2 Samuel 5 verses
- 2 Samuel 11:3
"So David sent and inquired about the woman, and he was told, “This is Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite.”"
- 2 Samuel 11:6
"At this, David sent orders to Joab: “Send me Uriah the Hittite.” So Joab sent him to David."
- 2 Samuel 11:7
"When Uriah came to him, David asked how Joab and the troops were doing and how the war was going."
- 2 Samuel 11:8
"Then he said to Uriah, “Go down to your house and wash your feet.” So Uriah left the palace, and a gift from the king followed him."
- 2 Samuel 11:9
"But Uriah slept at the door of the palace with all his master’s servants; he did not go down to his house."
1 Kings 1 verse
- 1 Kings 15:5
"For David had done what was right in the eyes of the LORD and had not turned aside from anything the LORD commanded all the days of his life, except in the matter of Uriah the Hittite."
1 Chronicles 1 verse
- 1 Chronicles 11:41
"Uriah the Hittite, Zabad son of Ahlai,"
Matthew 1 verse
- Matthew 1:6
"and Jesse the father of David the king. Next: David was the father of Solomon by Uriah’s wife,"
Study Matthew →
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | אוּרִיָּה |
| Greek | Greek | Οὐρίας |