אוּרִיאֵל (u.ri.el)
u.ri.el
Uriel
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name Uriel, meaning "God is my light," appears in the genealogies of Chronicles to identify two distinct figures from the tribe of Levi. In 1 Chronicles 6, it belongs to a Levitical leader during David’s time who served as chief of the Kohathite line and was also known by the name Zephaniah. This dual naming highlights how individuals in biblical records sometimes carried multiple identifiers within their community.
A second Uriel appears in 2 Chronicles 13:2 as the maternal grandfather of King Abijah of Judah. He married Tamar and fathered Maacah, a queen mother who played a significant role in the political landscape of the divided monarchy. While sharing the same name and meaning, this Uriel is part of the royal lineage rather than the priestly service record.
The recurrence of this name underscores the importance of divine light as a theological motif in Israelite naming practices. The sources distinguish these two men by their contexts: one associated with Levitical administration under David, the other with the royal family’s ancestry during the reign of Abijah. Both entries reflect how names preserved theological identity across generations.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Uriel carries a simple, powerful meaning: "God is my light." In the biblical record, this name appears in two distinct settings within Israel's history. One man named Uriel served as a chief leader among the Kohathite Levites during King David’s time, helping to organize worship and temple service. Another Uriel appears in the genealogy of King Abijah, identified as the grandfather of the king’s mother, Maacah. Though their roles differed—one in religious administration, the other in royal ancestry—both bear a name that points to divine guidance.
For believers today, this recurring name reminds us that God’s light is not limited to one role or station in life. Whether serving in visible leadership or standing quietly in family lineage, individuals are remembered by names that reflect their trust in God. The fact that Scripture preserves these details shows that every person, regardless of position, has a place in the broader story of faith.
When we encounter such names in the Bible, we are invited to see how ordinary lives carry lasting significance. The light of God shines through many paths, and each name recorded is a testament to a life lived under that illumination.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Uriel2×
- <to>/ Uriel1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- לְ/אֽוּרִיאֵ֤ל1×
- אוּרִיאֵ֣ל1×
- אוּרִיאֵ֖ל1×
Key Verses
-
I Chronicles 15:5
of the sons of Kohath, Uriel the chief, and his brothers one hundred twenty;
This verse identifies Uriel as the chief of the Kohathites, showing his leadership role in organizing Levitical worship during David’s reign.
-
I Chronicles 15:11
David called for Zadok and Abiathar the priests, and for the Levites: for Uriel, Asaiah, Joel, Shemaiah, Eliel, and Amminadab,
Here David calls Uriel among other Levites to assist in moving the ark, highlighting his active participation in restoring proper worship.
-
II Chronicles 13:2
He reigned three years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Micaiah the daughter of Uriel of Gibeah. There was war between Abijah and Jeroboam.
This reference places Uriel in the royal lineage as the grandfather of Maacah, linking him to the political context of King Abijah’s reign.