עוּר (ur)
ur
chaff
A:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- A:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun ur, transliterated as “ur,” refers to the dry, worthless husks separated from grain during threshing. In the biblical context, it represents the light, empty byproduct that is easily scattered by the wind, standing in stark contrast to the valuable kernel retained for food or storage.
This term appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in Daniel 2:35. The prophet describes a stone striking a statue of metal and clay, causing it to shatter into pieces so fine they become like chaff on a threshing floor. Here, ur emphasizes the total fragility and impermanence of earthly kingdoms when confronted with divine judgment.
While the word itself is simple, its imagery carries significant theological weight. It illustrates how human power, no matter how imposing, can be reduced to nothingness in an instant. The scattering of chaff serves as a vivid metaphor for the complete dissolution of worldly authority before God’s enduring kingdom.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word ur describes the dry husks left over after grain is threshed. These light, empty remnants are easily scattered by the wind, leaving no trace behind. In Daniel 2:35, this image shows how earthly kingdoms crumble when God’s kingdom arrives. Human power may seem solid and lasting, but it cannot stand against divine judgment.
For your faith, this offers deep comfort. The things we rely on for security—wealth, status, or political stability—are temporary. They can be broken apart in an instant. But the stone that crushes them becomes a great mountain filling the whole earth. This represents God’s eternal rule, which will never be destroyed.
You can rest in this truth. While the world around you may shift and fade, your hope is anchored in something permanent. You do not need to fear the instability of human systems. Instead, look to the King whose kingdom endures forever. His reign brings lasting peace and security for all who trust in Him.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- like/ chaff1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- כְּ/ע֣וּר1×
Key Verses
-
Daniel 2:35
Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver, and the gold were broken in pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshing floors. The wind carried them away, so that no place was found for them. The stone that struck the image became a great mountain and filled the whole earth.
This verse uses chaff to show how completely earthly empires are scattered and forgotten when God’s eternal kingdom takes over.