Ucal (Hebrew: “eaten up, consumed?” ) Mentioned with the name of Ithiel in Proverbs 30:1, who were disciples or sons of Aguz, the son of Takeh. The reference is obscure.

Uel (Hebrew: “will of God” ) Of the family of Bani; he married a foreign wife during the Captivity ( Ezra 10:34).

Uknaz (Hebrew: KENAZ, “even” ), ( 1 Chronicles 4:15). Probably a word is omitted before kenaz.

Ulai ( Daniel 8:2,16 ). A river near Susa. Called Enlaeus by the Greeks and Romans. The river has changed its course since ancient days, and now has two branches — the Kerkha and the Koran, by which its waters reach the Tigris. The Persian kings drank the water of this river only, when at home or on a journey, believing it to be lighter, and more wholesome and pleasant to the taste, than any other.

Ulam (Hebrew: “front” ) 1. Descendant of Gilead, the grandson of Manasseh ( 1 Chronicles 7:17). 2. Descendant of Saul; a Benjamite, and the firstborn of Eshek ( Chronicles 8:39,40).

Ulla (Hebrew: “yoke” ) An Asherite chief ( 1 Chronicles 7:39).

Ummah (“gathering” ) Asber ( Joshua 19:30), The modern site is called Alma, and is on the high land of the Ladder of Tyre, five miles from the cape Ras en Nakura, in the midst of many ruins as yet without names.

Uncircumcision . Unclean Meats .

Uncleanness .

Unicorn (Hebrew: REEM, REEYM, REYM ). The name of some wild animal, not fabulous or one-horned ( Deuteronomy 33:17,) as it may be correctly translated: “His glory is like the firstling of his bullock, and his horns are like the horns of unicorn” (REEM ). The unicorn is now believed to have been the Urus, an extinct species of Buffalo and not the rhinoceros. It is spoken of as a powerful and violent animal ( Psalm 22:19,21; Job 39:9-12). Unleavened Bread . .

Unni (Hebrew: “depressed” ) 1. A musician and Levite doorkeeper (porter) in the time of David ( Chronicles 15:18,20). 2. A second Levite connected with the sacred office ( Nehemiah 12:9). Uphaz ( Jeremiah 10:9; Daniel 10:5 ). . Ur ( 1 ) ( Genesis 11:28 ). The land of Haran, Ur of the Chaldees, from which Terah and Abraham came into the land of Canaan. Four localities are offered as the ancient site of Ur. 1. Now called Oorfah. The Greeks called it Edessa. The chief mosque is named Abraham’s, and a pond in which some sacred fish are kept is called the Lake of Abraham the Beloved. 2. The second place is Warka, the Orchon of the Greeks, and Huruk in the Assyrian. 3. A place in eastern Mesopotamia, Ur, below Nineveh, on the Tigris. 4. Mugheir, or Om Mugheir (Mother of Bitumen), on the right bank of the Euphrates, 125 miles from the sea. The ruins here are extensive and of the most ancient character, containing inscriptions. Once called Camarina. This was for ages the burial-place of the Assyrian kings. Ur ( 2 ) Father of Eliphal. One of David’s strong men ( 1 Chronicles 11:35).

Urbane (Latin: Urbanus, of the city, refined ). A disciple whom Paul saluted, in Romans 16:9. Uri (Hebrew: “fiery” ) 1. One of the tribe of Judah. Father of architect of the Tabernacle ( Exodus 31:2) 2. Father of Geber ( 1 Kings 4:19) 3. A doorkeeper in Ezra’s time ( Ezra 10:24). Uriah (“flame of Jehovah” ) 1. One of the “worries” of king David; a captain in his army and a Hittite. He was the husband of Bathsheba, who became the object of David’s criminal passion. When Uriah was commanding with the army before Rabbah, David directed Joab to place him in an exposed position in battle, where he was killed (2 Samuel 11; 23:39). , . 2. A priest at the time of Ahaz, witness of Isaiah’s prophesy concerning his son ( Isaiah 8:2). Probably Urijah ( 2 Kings 16:18). 3. A priest of the family of Koz at the time of Ezra ( Ezra 8:3). In Nehemiah 3:4,21, called Urijah.

Urias 1. Husband of Bathsheba ( Matthew 1:6). 2. 3 (1 Esdras 9:43). Uriel (“fire of God” ) The father of Michaiah, the mother of Abijah, king of Judah, according to 2 Chronicles 13:2. Elsewhere the mother of Abijah appears as Maacah, the daughter of Absalom ( 1 Kings 15:2,10,13). Two Kohathites of the name of Uriel appear in 1 Chronicles 6:9; 15:5-11.

Urijah (“flame of Jehovah” ) 1. High priest at the time of Ahaz. Without divine authority he had constructed and also made offerings upon an altar designed by Ahaz ( Kings 16:10-12). Notwithstanding the committal of this error, Urijah appears to have been a righteous man, and one of the “faithful witnesses” selected by Isaiah ( Isaiah 8:2) to attest his prophesy. 2. A prophet, son of Shemaiah: he uttered prophesies against Judaea and Jerusalem in the time of Jehoiakim. He was menaced with death by the king, and fled to Egypt, but was delivered up by Pharaoh-Necho to Jehoiakim, who had him executed and dishonorably buried ( Jeremiah 26:20-21). Urim and Thummim (Hebrew: “light and perfections” ) The twelve precious stones, when in position in the breast-plate of the high priest, were consulted as an oracle. They were worn when the high priest entered the Holy of Holies ( Exodus 28:30). The ceremony of placing the engraved gems in their proper positions in the breast-plate was very solemn and imposing, for it typified the presence of the twelve tribes before the altar of Jehovah. . Usury (Hebrew: NESEK ). Interest for money or property loaned. Usury is forbidden by the laws, although it was permitted for the Israelites to take usury from anyone who was not a Jew. This was used as a means of ruining the Canaanites. After the return of the Jews from Captivity they were ordered by Nehemiah “to leave off usury” ( Nehemiah 5:10,11), and to restore what had been exacted. Christ denounced all methods of extortion: “Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again.” “Love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again” ( Luke 6:30-35; cf. Psalm 15:5).

Uta Ancestor of certain Nethinim (1 Esdras 5:39).

Uthai (“Jah succors” ) 1. Son of Ammihud ( 1 Chronicles 9:4). 2. Son of Bigvai, who returned from Captivity ( Ezra 8:14).

Uthi UTHAI (1 Esdras 8:40). Uz The land in which Job lived ( Job 1:1), and evidently settled by a son of Aram, grandson of Shem ( Genesis 10:23). Supposed to have been east or southeast of Palestine ( Job 1:15,17), in the vicinity of the Sabaeans and the Chaldaeans, and of Edom ( Lamentations 4:21). The description of the people corresponds to that of the nomade tribes of Arabia Deserta.

Uzai (“strong” ) Father of Palal, who assisted Nehemiah ( Nehemiah 3:25).

Uzal (“wanderer” ) ( Genesis 10:27; 1 Chronicles 1:21; Ezekiel 27:19). Javan. The capital city of Yemen, Arabia; originally called Awzal, and now known as Sana. The city is better built than any other in Arabia, has many palaces, mosques, baths and khans, “resembling Damascus in the abundance of its trees or gardens, and the rippling of its waters.”

Uzza, Garden of ( 2 Kings 21:18,26 ). Where Manasseh and his son Amon, kings of Judah, were buried. Supposed to have been in Jerusalem ( 2 Chronicles 33:20). Lost.

Uzza (“strength” ) 1. A Benjamite of the sons of Ehud ( 1 Chronicles 8:7). 2. ( 1 Chronicles 13:7,9-11). 3. One who returned from Captivity ( Ezra 2:49). 4. A Levite, son of Shimei ( 1 Chronicles 6:29). Uzzah Son of Abinadab, in whose house the Ark rested for twenty years, and who died while conducting the Ark from Kirjath-jearim (2 Samuel 6; Chronicles 23).

Uzzen Sherah (OZEN, “ears” ), ( 1 Chronicles 7:24). Built by Sherah, a daughter of Ephraim near the Beth horons. Now Beit Siva in Wady Suleiman, 13 miles northwest of Jerusalem.

Uzzi 1. Son of Bukki, and father of Zerahiah ( 1 Chronicles 6:5,51). 2. Son of Tola ( 1 Chronicles 7:2,3). 3. Son of Bela, a chief ( 1 Chronicles 7:7). 4. Ancestor of the Elah, settled at Jerusalem after the Captivity ( Chronicles 9:8). 5. Son of Bani, and overseer of the Levites at Jerusalem ( Nehemiah 11:22). 6. A priest ( Nehemiah 12:19). 7. A priest who assisted Ezra (Ezra 12:42), also No. 6.

Uzzia the One of David’s men ( 1 Chronicles 11:44). Uzziah (“the might of Jah” ) 1. King of Judah; in some passages he is called . He began his reign at 16 years of age, B.C. 806. This name was common among the Jews. He was afflicted with leprosy ( 2 Chronicles 26:16-23). 2. A Levite, ancestor of Samuel ( 1 Chronicles 6:24). 3. A priest of the sons of Harim ( Ezra 10:21). 4. Father of Athaiah ( Nehemiah 11:4). 5. Father of Jehonathan, one of David’s overseers ( 1 Chronicles 27:25).