אוּבַל (u.val)
u.val
river
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun uval refers to a flowing body of water, specifically a stream or river. It appears only three times in the Old Testament, with two of those instances found in the book of Daniel. In these contexts, the word describes the physical geography surrounding the visions given to the prophet.
Its usage is concrete and geographical rather than metaphorical. For example, in Daniel 8:2, the narrator places Daniel by the uval Ulai, anchoring the vision in a real location within Susa. The term distinguishes this flowing water from standing pools or cisterns, emphasizing movement and current as part of the landscape.
Because it is rare, the word does not carry extended theological symbolism in the way terms like "living water" might. Instead, it serves a precise descriptive function, grounding the apocalyptic imagery in tangible, earthly settings that would have been familiar to its original audience.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word uval simply means a flowing river or stream. In the Old Testament, it appears only three times, all within the book of Daniel. These verses describe the physical setting where the prophet received his visions. The text places Daniel by the river Ulai in Susa, grounding supernatural events in a real, earthly location.
While many biblical words for water carry deep spiritual metaphors, uval serves a descriptive purpose here. It highlights the tangible reality of the landscape. This reminds us that God’s messages often come through ordinary places and times. The flowing water provides a backdrop for divine revelation, showing that the sacred intersects with the natural world.
When you read these passages, notice how the concrete setting anchors the vision. You do not need to search for hidden symbolism in the river itself. Instead, focus on the clarity of God’s communication within a familiar environment. This offers comfort, as it shows God speaks clearly and accessibly.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- the/ canal2×
- [the] canal of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- הָ/אֻבָ֖ל1×
- הָ/אֻבָ֑ל1×
- אוּבַ֥ל1×
Key Verses
-
Daniel 8:2
I saw the vision. Now it was so, that when I saw, I was in the citadel of Susa, which is in the province of Elam. I saw in the vision, and I was by the river Ulai.
This verse establishes the physical location by the river Ulai where Daniel received his vision.
-
Daniel 8:3
Then I lifted up my eyes and saw, and behold, a ram which had two horns stood before the river. The two horns were high, but one was higher than the other, and the higher came up last.
The ram stands directly before the river, using the water as a fixed point of reference for the symbolic animal.
-
Daniel 8:6
He came to the ram that had the two horns, which I saw standing before the river, and ran on him in the fury of his power.
The goat attacks the ram near the river, showing how the landscape frames the conflict between the symbols.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Hebrew word uval mean?
Why is this word significant in Daniel 8?
Does uval have any spiritual symbolism?
Every Occurrence (3 verses across 1 books)
Daniel 3 verses
I saw the vision. Now it was so, that when I saw, I was in the citadel of Susa, which is in the province of Elam. I saw…
Daniel 8:3Then I lifted up my eyes and saw, and behold, a ram which had two horns stood before the river. The two horns were…
Daniel 8:6He came to the ram that had the two horns, which I saw standing before the river, and ran on him in the fury of his…