Bible Figure
Urijah
prophet murdered by Jehoiakim in the Book of Jeremiah
Urijah son of Shemaiah was a prophet from Kiriath-jearim who proclaimed judgment like Jeremiah and was extradited from Egypt and executed by King Jehoiakim.
Biography
Jeremiah 26 recounts that Urijah prophesied against Jerusalem and Judah in terms similar to Jeremiah. When Jehoiakim sought to kill him, Urijah fled to Egypt. The king sent Elnathan and others to bring him back, and Jehoiakim killed him with the sword and cast his body into the burial place of the common people.
Biblical Significance
Urijah's death demonstrates the mortal danger faced by prophets who spoke unwelcome truth to Judah's rulers and provides a stark parallel to Jeremiah's own threatened ministry.