אוּר (ur)
ur
Ur
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 5 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun ur carries the basic meaning of "flame" or "light." In the biblical text, this word appears primarily as a proper name rather than a common noun describing fire. It identifies two distinct figures: an ancient city in southern Babylonia and a man from the time of King David.
The most significant reference is to Ur of the Chaldeans, described as a center of moon worship and the hometown of Terah, Abraham’s father. This location marks the starting point for the patriarch’s migration to Canaan, highlighting its role in salvation history. The name itself evokes the imagery of light or flame associated with that Babylonian city.
The second usage appears in 1 Chronicles 11:35, where Ur is listed as the father of Eliphal, one of David’s mighty men. Here, the name likely reflects the same root meaning, serving as a personal identifier for a soldier in the divided monarchy period. The word thus bridges the distant past of Abraham and the later era of Israel’s kings.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Ur points to a place of origins, specifically Ur of the Chaldeans, from which God called Abraham. This city was not just a geographic starting point but the backdrop for a divine invitation that changed history. By bringing Abram out of this center of moon worship, God demonstrated His power to redirect lives toward a new purpose.
For believers today, this word reminds us that our own stories begin with God’s initiative. Just as He reached out to Abraham in a foreign land, He calls each person into relationship with Himself. The journey from Ur to Canaan illustrates how faith often requires leaving behind familiar comforts to trust in God’s promise.
Even the mention of Ur as a father of one of David’s mighty men shows that ordinary individuals play roles in God’s larger narrative. Whether in the time of the patriarchs or the monarchy, people named Ur were part of a lineage through which God worked. This continuity encourages us to see our own lives as connected to something greater than ourselves.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 5 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- from/ Ur3×
- in/ Ur1×
- Ur1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מֵ/א֣וּר3×
- בְּ/א֥וּר1×
- אֽוּר\׃\ \ס1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 11:31
Terah took Abram his son, Lot the son of Haran, his son’s son, and Sarai his daughter-in-law, his son Abram’s wife. They went from Ur of the Chaldees, to go into the land of Canaan. They came to Haran and lived there.
This verse marks the literal departure from Ur, establishing it as the starting point of the covenant journey.
-
Genesis 15:7
He said to Abram, “I am Yahweh who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldees, to give you this land to inherit it.”
God explicitly identifies Himself as the one who brought Abram out of Ur, linking the location to His redemptive action.
-
Nehemiah 9:7
You are Yahweh, the God who chose Abram, brought him out of Ur of the Chaldees, gave him the name of Abraham,
The Israelites recall this exodus from Ur in corporate worship, affirming its significance in their national identity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the name Ur mean in Hebrew?
Where is Ur of the Chaldeans located?
Why is Ur mentioned in 1 Chronicles?
Every Occurrence (5 verses across 3 books)
Genesis 3 verses
Haran died in the land of his birth, in Ur of the Chaldees, while his father Terah was still alive.
Genesis 11:31Terah took Abram his son, Lot the son of Haran, his son’s son, and Sarai his daughter-in-law, his son Abram’s wife.…
Genesis 15:7He said to Abram, “I am Yahweh who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldees, to give you this land to inherit it.”