Uriel

Uriel is an archangel in Hebrew tradition, known as the angel of wisdom and light. His name is derived from the Hebrew elements ʾur (meaning "light, flame") and ʾel (meaning "God"), giving it the meaning "God is my light" or "God is my flame." This reflects his role as a bringer of divine illumination.

Biblical and Apocryphal References

Uriel is not named in the canonical Hebrew Bible but appears in several apocryphal and pseudepigraphal texts. He is most notably mentioned in the Book of Enoch, where he is depicted as one of the four principal archangels alongside Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael. In this text, Uriel warns Noah of the coming Great Flood, showcasing his role as a messenger of divine knowledge.

Cultural and Religious Significance

Uriel holds a prominent place in various religious traditions. In Rabbinic Judaism, he is recognized in some sources as an archangel associated with wisdom and truth. Among Christian denominations, he is venerated in Eastern Orthodoxy, Oriental Orthodoxy, and Anglicanism as one of the seven major archangels. Folk Catholicism also includes him among the archangels. In Russian Orthodox tradition, Uriel is especially well known, and he appears in European esoteric medieval literature as a figure of knowledge and wisdom.

Uriel's name appears in several variant forms across languages: in Greek as Ouriel, in Hebrew as 'Uri'el (אוּרִיאֵל), and in Italian as Uriele. The variant Oriel, meaning "God is my light," is sometimes used interchangeably. In Jewish mystical traditions, particularly the Kabbalah, Uriel is associated with the sephirah of Hod (glory) and symbolizes the power of intellect and discernment.

Related Names and Variants

Related names include the Hebrew variant Orel, which shares a similar meaning. In Apocryphal and occult works, Uriel has been equated or confused with names such as Nuriel, Sariel, and Phanuel, though these are often considered distinct figures.

• Meaning: "God is my light"
• Origin: Hebrew
• Type: Archangel
• Usage regions: Jewish, Christian (Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, Anglican, Catholic), esoteric traditions