Original Word: אוּרִיאֵל
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Uwriy'el
Pronunciation: oo-ree-EL
Phonetic Spelling: (oo-ree-ale')
KJV: Uriel
NASB: Uriel
Word Origin: [from H217 (אוּר - fire) and H410 (אֵל - God)]

1. flame of God
2. Uriel, the name of two Israelites

Uriel

From 'uwr and 'el; flame of God; Uriel, the name of two Israelites -- Uriel.

see HEBREW 'uwr

see HEBREW 'el

Word Origin
from ur and el
Definition
"flame of God," two Isr.
NASB Translation
Uriel (4).

אוּרִיאֵל proper name, masculine (flame of El or my light is El, see אֵל below אלה; compare Phoenician ארמלך in Assyrian Urumilki (Sen^{Taylor Cylind.ii.50}, compare COT^{2Kings 18:13}))

1 chief of Levitical line of Kohath, in time of David 1 Chronicles 6:9; 1 Chronicles 15:5,11.

2 maternal grandfather of Abijah2Chronicles 13:2.

Occurrences and Contexts

1. 1 Chronicles 6:24 – Listed in the Levitical genealogy descending from Kohath through Elkanah to the prophet-musician Heman, Uriel stands in the line responsible for sanctuary worship.
2. 1 Chronicles 15:5 – As a “chief” of the Kohathites, Uriel is counted among the two-hundred-and-twenty overseers David summons when restoring the Ark to Jerusalem.
3. 1 Chronicles 15:11 – David again calls Uriel by name, charging him and fellow leaders to sanctify themselves for the sacred task of bearing the Ark “as the LORD commanded.”
4. 2 Chronicles 13:2 – Identified as “Uriel of Gibeah,” he is father of Micaiah (also called Maacah), the wife of King Rehoboam and mother of King Abijah.

Genealogical Significance

Uriel’s placement in the Kohathite line roots him in the most privileged branch of the Levites, the family entrusted with the furniture of the tabernacle (Numbers 4:4-15). Through Heman the singer (1 Chronicles 6:33-38), his branch fostered temple worship, highlighting a heritage of both service and song. Chronicles stresses this ancestry to validate the musical and liturgical reforms of David and Solomon.

Leadership in the Ark Procession

After the fatal misstep of Uzzah (1 Chronicles 13), David discovers from Scripture that the Ark must be borne on the shoulders of the Levites. Uriel stands out as one of the four family heads David assembles (15:11). He therefore typifies restored obedience: “You are the heads of the fathers’ households of the Levites; consecrate yourselves… so that you may bring up the Ark of the LORD, the God of Israel” (1 Chronicles 15:12-13). By complying, Uriel helps Israel regain the joy of God’s presence. His leadership models humble submission to divine order after communal failure.

Link to the Davidic Monarchy

Through his daughter Micaiah, Uriel becomes maternal grandfather of Abijah and great-grandfather of Asa. The chronicler’s mention of “Uriel of Gibeah” ties the southern kingdom to Levitical piety residing in Benjaminite territory (cf. 1 Samuel 13:1-2). Harmonizing 2 Chronicles 13:2 with 1 Kings 15:2 suggests Maacah/Micaiah was granddaughter of Absalom yet daughter of Uriel—likely by Tamar, Absalom’s only recorded daughter. Uriel thus represents a covenant bridge: Levite devotion merged with royal blood, reinforcing the inseparability of worship and rule in Judah.

Historical and Ministry Implications

• Worship Reform: Uriel’s compliance with proper Ark transport underscores the necessity of reverent adherence to God’s prescriptions when leading corporate worship.
• Family Influence: His lineage shows how steadfast Levitical households can shape national destiny; a faithful father raises a mother who influences kings.
• Covenant Continuity: By embedding a Levite within the Davidic line, Scripture portrays priestly and royal streams converging, anticipating the ultimate Priest-King.

Doctrinal Reflections

The name meaning “My light is God” or “Flame of God” aligns with his role: guiding Israel back into the light of obedient worship. His account affirms that divine presence is mediated through consecrated service, prefiguring the perfect obedience of Jesus Christ, “the true light” (John 1:9).

Spiritual Applications

1. Consecration precedes service: Leaders must cleanse themselves before bearing holy responsibilities.
2. Obedience after failure restores fellowship: The second attempt at moving the Ark succeeded because leaders like Uriel heeded Scripture.
3. God weaves faithful servants into greater purposes: A Levitical father unexpectedly shapes royal history.

Key References for Study

1 Chronicles 6:24; 15:5; 15:11 • 2 Chronicles 13:2

אוּרִיאֵ֖ל אוּרִיאֵ֣ל אוריאל לְאֽוּרִיאֵ֤ל לאוריאל ’ū·rî·’êl ’ūrî’êl lə’ūrî’êl lə·’ū·rî·’êl leuriEl uriElInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts