Lexical Summary Uw'el: Uel Original Word: אוּאֵל Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Uel From 'ow and 'el; wish of God; Uel, and Israelite -- Uel. see HEBREW 'ow see HEBREW 'el Brown-Driver-Briggs אוּאֵל proper name, masculine a Judean (will of God, compare II. אוה; or contracted from אֲבוּאֵל compare אִיעֶזֶר ?) Ezra 10:34. אוב (meaning ? Thes compare Arabic Topical Lexicon Scriptural Occurrence Ezra 10:34 records Uel as one of the sons of Bani who had taken a foreign wife during the post-exilic period of Ezra’s ministry. His appearance is limited to this single verse, yet the surrounding narrative gives the name lasting weight in the theology of holiness and covenant fidelity. Historical Context The book of Ezra chronicles the return of Judean exiles from Babylon and the subsequent efforts to restore proper worship and covenant obedience. In chapters 9–10 Ezra confronts the widespread practice of intermarriage with the surrounding peoples. This sin threatened the distinctiveness of the restored community and jeopardized its mission to bear witness to the Lord among the nations. Uel lived during this spiritually critical generation, roughly mid-fifth century B.C., when renewed commitment to the Law of Moses was essential for preserving Israel’s identity after exile. Significance of the Name Although Scripture provides no biography for Uel, his inclusion in the register of offenders highlights the sobering truth that even those whose very names point to God’s sufficiency can falter. The name itself testifies that the Lord alone sustains and satisfies His people, yet Uel’s action contradicts that witness, illustrating the tension between confession and conduct. Covenant Purity and Intermarriage Ezra exhorted the guilty: “Now make a confession to the LORD, the God of your fathers, and do His will. Separate yourselves from the peoples of the land and from your foreign wives” (Ezra 10:11). The marriages were not condemned on ethnic grounds alone but because they involved alliances with cultures steeped in idolatry (Deuteronomy 7:3-4). Uel’s presence in the list serves as a personal reminder that holiness embraces both the community and the household. Repentance and Restoration The chapter carefully records each name to emphasize accountability and the reality of repentance. Those listed “gave their hands in pledge that they would put away their wives, and for their guilt they offered a ram of the flock for a guilt offering” (Ezra 10:19). While Uel’s subsequent life is not detailed, the narrative framework implies that he participated in this covenant renewal, demonstrating that sincere repentance restores fellowship with God and neighbor. Ministry Reflections 1. Personal Accountability: Leaders and laity alike are called to honor God’s standards. Names in Scripture—however briefly mentioned—underline individual responsibility within the covenant community. Related Biblical Threads • Separation unto holiness: Exodus 19:5-6; 1 Peter 2:9. See Also Bani; Intermarriage in Israel; Holiness Code; Repentance in Ezra and Nehemiah Forms and Transliterations וְאוּאֵֽל׃ ואואל׃ veuEl wə’ū’êl wə·’ū·’êlLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Ezra 10:34 HEB: מַעֲדַ֥י עַמְרָ֖ם וְאוּאֵֽל׃ ס NAS: Maadai, Amram, Uel, KJV: Maadai, Amram, and Uel, INT: Maadai Amram Uel 1 Occurrence |
    |
return, whence Köoff.-begr.ii. 15 C StaG. i. 504; Bibi. Theol. i. 186 NowArchaeology ii. 273 as rediens, "revenant" but doubtful; 
water-carrier; but compare LagBN 90). MV compare אבב (with conjectural sense) to get meaning have a hollow sound. Derivation and significance totally uncertain).