ur'-li (orthros, and related words; proi):
The word generally refers to the day, and means the hour of dawn or soon after (Ge 19:2;2Ch 36:15;Ho 6:4;Lu 24:22). Sometimes it refers to the beginning of the season, eg. the early rain (Ps 84:6;Jas 5:7;see RAIN). It may also have the sense of "speedily" (Ps 46:5). The early morning is frequently commended as the hour for prayer. See examples of Jesus (Mr 1:35;Lu 21:38;Joh 8:2); also Abraham (Ge 19:27), Jacob (Ge 28:18), Gideon (Jud 6:38), Samuel(1Sa 15:12), David (1Sa 17:20).
G. H. Gerberding