אוּלַי (u.lay)
u.lay
Ulai
N:N--LQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--L
Word Overview
The proper noun Ulai refers to a specific river in the ancient land of Elam, identified by scholars with the modern Dez River in southwestern Iran. In the biblical narrative, this waterway serves as a significant geographical backdrop for the prophet Daniel’s visions, particularly in the opening chapters of his book where he receives divine revelations near its banks.
Etymologically, the name is traditionally interpreted to mean "my leaders" or "my mighties," reflecting the strength and prominence associated with the region it flows through. While the word appears only twice in Scripture, both instances anchor the reader in a real historical location, grounding Daniel’s apocalyptic experiences in the physical landscape of the Persian Empire.
Translators consistently render Ulai as a place name rather than a descriptive term, preserving its identity as a landmark rather than a metaphor. This usage highlights how biblical geography often functions to situate spiritual encounters within tangible, earthly settings, reminding readers that divine communication occurred in specific, named places known to the original audience.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Ulai points to a real river in ancient Elam, grounding the prophet Daniel’s visions in a physical landscape. When Daniel saw by the banks of the Ulai, he was not in a dream world but in a specific place known to his audience. This reminds us that God speaks into our actual lives and surroundings, not just in abstract spiritual realms.
It is comforting to know that divine encounters often happen in ordinary settings. The river Ulai serves as a backdrop for hearing God’s voice through the angel Gabriel. You do not need to seek out extraordinary locations to meet God; He can speak clearly even when you are standing by a familiar stream or in your daily routine.
These verses show that God uses real geography to anchor His messages. Whether you feel far from home or close to it, the same God who spoke by the Ulai is attentive to your cries. His word remains true and reliable, no matter where life takes you.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Ulai2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- אוּלָֽי\׃1×
- אוּלָ֑י1×
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 places Daniel physically by the river Ulai during a vision, showing how God uses specific earthly locations to ground spiritual revelations.
-
Daniel 8:16
I heard a man’s voice between the banks of the Ulai, which called and said, “Gabriel, make this man understand the vision.”
Here a voice calls from between the banks of the Ulai, directing Gabriel to explain the vision, highlighting the river as the setting for divine instruction.