עוּל (ul)
ul
to nurse
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 5 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb ul describes the physical act of nursing or giving suck. It appears in five verses across Scripture, with notable occurrences in Psalms and Isaiah. The word focuses on the biological reality of a mother providing milk to her infant, emphasizing the intimate bond of nourishment and care.
In Psalm 131:2, the psalmist uses this term metaphorically to describe his soul’s state. He compares himself to a weaned child with its mother, suggesting a relationship built on trust and quiet contentment rather than active striving. This usage highlights how the physical act of nursing serves as a powerful image for spiritual dependence and peace.
The word is straightforward in its primary meaning but carries significant theological weight when applied metaphorically. It reminds readers that care and sustenance are often most profound in simple, everyday acts. The imagery connects human experience with divine provision, showing how God’s care can be as natural and essential as a mother’s milk.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word ul describes the intimate act of nursing, where a mother provides milk to her infant. In the Old Testament, this physical reality often serves as a powerful metaphor for God’s tender care. When Scripture speaks of carrying lambs in His bosom or leading those with their young, it uses this imagery to show that divine sustenance is as natural and essential as a mother’s milk.
In Psalm 131:2, the psalmist uses this concept to describe his soul. He compares himself to a weaned child with its mother, suggesting a relationship built on trust and quiet contentment rather than active striving. This reminds us that spiritual peace often comes from resting in God’s provision, much like an infant rests securely in a parent’s care.
When life feels overwhelming, we can look to these simple images of nourishment and protection. They invite us to find rest in the knowledge that our Creator attends to our deepest needs with gentleness and faithfulness.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 5 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- nursing2×
- nursing [sheep]1×
- nursing [ewes]1×
- [are] nursing1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- עָל֔וֹת2×
- עָל֣וֹת1×
- עָל֗וֹת1×
- עָל֖וֹת1×
Key Verses
-
Isaiah 40:11
He will feed his flock like a shepherd. He will gather the lambs in his arm, and carry them in his bosom. He will gently lead those who have their young.
This verse uses the imagery of carrying lambs in the bosom, directly connecting to the nurturing care implied by the nursing metaphor.
-
Psalms 78:71
from following the ewes that have their young, he brought him to be the shepherd of Jacob, his people, and Israel, his inheritance.
The reference to following ewes with their young highlights the protective aspect of divine shepherding linked to maternal care.
-
I Samuel 6:7
“Now therefore take and prepare yourselves a new cart and two milk cows on which there has come no yoke; and tie the cows to the cart, and bring their calves home from them;
While describing milk cows, this verse grounds the concept in the biological reality of nursing that the word ul signifies.