of Hebrew origin (אוּרִיָּה); Urias (i.e. Urijah), a Hittite:--Urias.
Transliteration:Ourías
Pronunciation:oo-ree'-as
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek lemma Οὐρίας (Ourías), Strong's G3774, is a direct transliteration of the Hebrew proper noun אוּרִיָּה (Uriyah), Strong's `{{H0223}}`, meaning "Yahweh is my light" or "Light of Yah." This name is composed of אוּר (ʾûr), meaning "light" or "fire" (related to `{{H0217}}`), and יָה (Yah), a shortened form of Yahweh (related to `{{H3050}}`). As a proper noun, its semantic range is inherently limited to identifying a specific individual. In the New Testament, Οὐρίας refers exclusively to Uriah the Hittite, the husband of Bathsheba, who was murdered by King David.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In the New Testament, Οὐρίας (Ourías) appears only once, in the genealogy of Jesus Christ recorded in the Gospel of Matthew: "and Jesse the father of David the king. And David was the father of Solomon by the wife of Uriah" [[Matthew 1:6]]. This singular mention in the Greek Scriptures serves as a poignant, albeit brief, reference to a pivotal and scandalous event in the Old Testament narrative.
The primary biblical context for Uriah is found in 2 Samuel chapters 11 and 12. Uriah is portrayed as one of David's mighty men, a loyal and honorable soldier, and a Hittite by ethnicity, demonstrating that God's people included individuals from various backgrounds. While David was at home, he committed adultery with Uriah's wife, Bathsheba. In an attempt to cover his sin, David summoned Uriah from the battlefield, hoping he would go home to his wife, thereby making the child appear to be Uriah's. However, Uriah's integrity and dedication to his fellow soldiers and the ark of God prevented him from enjoying the comforts of home while others were in hardship and danger ([[2 Samuel 11:11]]). This profound loyalty stands in stark contrast to David's deceit. Frustrated by Uriah's unwavering character, David then orchestrated Uriah's death in battle, sending him to the front lines with a letter instructing the commander Joab to withdraw support, ensuring Uriah's demise ([[2 Samuel 11:14-17]]). Uriah's death was a grave injustice, a direct consequence of David's abuse of power and sin. The prophet Nathan later confronted David with this sin, highlighting the injustice done to Uriah ([[2 Samuel 12:1-15]]).
### Related Words & Concepts
The most directly related word is the Hebrew original, אוּרִיָּה (Uriyah, `{{H0223}}`), from which Οὐρίας (Ourías) is derived. The etymological components, `{{H0217}}` (light/fire) and `{{H3050}}` (Yah/Yahweh), underscore the theological significance of the name itself, implying a connection to divine illumination or favor, even for a non-Israelite.
The narrative surrounding Uriah is intertwined with several key biblical figures and concepts:
* **David:** The central figure whose actions of sin and repentance define much of the narrative.
* **Bathsheba:** Uriah's wife, who became David's wife and the mother of Solomon.
* **Nathan:** The prophet who confronted David, representing divine justice and truth.
* **Loyalty and Integrity:** Uriah exemplifies these virtues, particularly in his refusal to go home while the ark and his comrades were in the field ([[2 Samuel 11:11]]).
* **Injustice and Abuse of Power:** Uriah's murder is a prime example of the devastating consequences when those in authority betray their trust.
* **Genealogy of Christ:** His inclusion in [[Matthew 1:6]] links him directly to God's redemptive plan.
While there are other individuals named Uriah in the Old Testament (e.g., a priest in the time of Ahaz in [[2 Kings 16:10-16]], a prophet in the time of Jeremiah in [[Jeremiah 26:20-23]]), the Greek G3774 specifically refers to Uriah the Hittite, due to the direct lineage connection in Matthew.
### Theological Significance
The story of Uriah, though tragic, holds profound theological significance.
1. **Divine Justice and Sovereignty:** Uriah's death serves as a stark reminder that God is a God of justice who holds even His chosen leaders accountable for their sins. David's actions against Uriah brought severe consequences upon his household, as prophesied by Nathan ([[2 Samuel 12:10-14]]). This demonstrates God's unwavering moral standard and His active involvement in the affairs of humanity, ensuring that injustice does not go unaddressed.
2. **The Cost of Sin:** Uriah's life and death powerfully illustrate the destructive nature of sin, particularly the abuse of power and the betrayal of trust. David's lust led to adultery, which escalated to deception, and ultimately to murder. Uriah, an innocent and honorable man, became the tragic victim, highlighting the ripple effects of sin that extend far beyond the initial transgression.
3. **God's Redemptive Plan through Imperfection:** Perhaps most remarkably, Uriah is mentioned in the genealogy of Jesus Christ ([[Matthew 1:6]]). This inclusion is highly significant. The lineage of the Messiah is not sanitized; it includes individuals marked by sin, scandal, and injustice. The phrase "by the wife of Uriah" rather than "by Bathsheba" subtly highlights the sin against Uriah. This demonstrates God's ability to work through flawed human beings and even through the darkest of human actions to accomplish His sovereign purposes. It underscores the depth of God's grace and His capacity to bring redemption and blessing out of brokenness and sin, ultimately leading to the incarnation of the Savior who would bear the sins of humanity. Uriah, the loyal and wronged Hittite, thus becomes an unexpected thread in the tapestry of salvation history, testifying to God's mysterious and perfect plan.
### Summary
Οὐρίας (Ourías), G3774, is the Greek transliteration of the Hebrew name Uriah, meaning "Yahweh is my light." This name uniquely identifies Uriah the Hittite, a loyal and honorable soldier in King David's army. His story, primarily found in 2 Samuel, recounts David's grave sin of adultery with Uriah's wife, Bathsheba, and David's subsequent orchestration of Uriah's death in battle to cover his transgression. Uriah's integrity stands in sharp contrast to David's deceit. His singular mention in the New Testament in the genealogy of Jesus ([[Matthew 1:6]]) is profoundly significant, serving as a powerful reminder of God's justice in holding leaders accountable, the devastating cost of sin, and ultimately, God's sovereign ability to weave even the most scandalous human events into His perfect redemptive plan for humanity, culminating in the Messiah.
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