Uriel
Culture & SocietyWhat is the meaning of Uriel in the Bible?
Uriel is a Hebrew name meaning 'God is my light' that appears in the biblical record as a member of the Kohathite clan within the tribe of Levi, but is most significantly known in extra-biblical traditions as an archangel.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding the distinction between the minor biblical figure and the major apocryphal angel clarifies how Second Temple Jewish theology expanded on scriptural figures to create a complex hierarchy of divine beings.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Ancient Cultural Lens: Avoid applying 21st-century Western assumptions to Uriel. Examine how first-century or Near Eastern listeners understood this practice within their daily social dynamics.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Uriel in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Uriel clarify?
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.
How to Cite This Entry
"Uriel." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/uriel/