Uriah אוּרִיָּ֫הוּ
Prophet from Kiriath-jearim who prophesied against Jerusalem
Who is Uriah in the Bible?
Uriah was a prophet from Kiriath-jearim, the son of Shemaiah, who prophesied against Jerusalem and Judah during the reign of King Jehoiakim (Jeremiah 26:20-23). His message was similar to that of the prophet Jeremiah, warning of judgment against the nation's sins. When King Jehoiakim learned of Uriah's prophecies, he sought his death, forcing the prophet to flee to Egypt. However, the king's agents pursued him, brought him back, and Jehoiakim had him executed, throwing his body into a common burial ground. Uriah's tragic death exemplifies the persecution faced by true prophets and serves as a stark reminder of the resistance God's messengers encountered when challenging the powerful to repent.
Biography
Uriah, the son of Shemaiah from Kiriath-jearim, was a prophet who lived during the reign of King Jehoiakim of Judah (Jer.26.20-23). He prophesied against Jerusalem and Judah, speaking words similar to those of the prophet Jeremiah. When King Jehoiakim heard about Uriah's prophecies, he sought to kill him. Uriah fled to Egypt, but the king sent men to bring him back. Upon his return, Jehoiakim had Uriah executed and his body thrown into the burial place of the common people. Uriah's death illustrates the danger faced by prophets who spoke out against the sins of their nation and the resistance they encountered from those in power. His story is recounted by Jeremiah as an example of the persecution faced by true prophets of God.
Family
In Scripture
1 biblical book ; 1 with study contentJeremiah 3 verses
- Jeremiah 26:20
"Now there was another man prophesying in the name of the LORD, Uriah son of Shemaiah from Kiriath-jearim. He prophesied against this city and against this land the same things that Jeremiah did."
Study Jeremiah → - Jeremiah 26:21
"King Jehoiakim and all his mighty men and officials heard his words, and the king sought to put him to death. But when Uriah found out about it, he fled in fear and went to Egypt."
Study Jeremiah → - Jeremiah 26:23
"They brought Uriah out of Egypt and took him to King Jehoiakim, who had him put to the sword and his body thrown into the burial place of the common people."
Study Jeremiah →
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | אוּרִיָּ֫הוּ |