Lexical Summary ubal: River, stream Original Word: אוּבָל Strong's Exhaustive Concordance river Or (shortened) ubal {oo-bawl'}; from yabal (in the sense of yabal); a stream -- river. see HEBREW yabal see HEBREW yabal NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom yabal Definition a stream, river NASB Translation Canal (1), canal (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs אוּבַל noun [masculine] stream, river (= יוּבַל) — only אוּבַל אוּלָ֑י Daniel 8:2 the river Ulai. Topical Lexicon Meaning and Imagery אוּבָל designates a watercourse or canal, evoking the flow of life-giving water that nourishes fields and cities. Within the Old Testament, streams often symbolize provision (Psalm 46:4), cleansing (Ezekiel 47:1-12), and irresistible divine movement (Isaiah 44:3). The term therefore carries connotations of steady sustenance and unstoppable advance, images that resonate with the prophetic content of Daniel 8. Occurrences in Scripture All three occurrences appear in Daniel 8, where Daniel receives a vision “beside the Ulai Canal” (Daniel 8:2; also verses 3 and 6). The canal frames the entire scene: a ram rises on its banks, a goat charges across it, and the ensuing conflict unfolds in its presence. The stream is more than geographic backdrop; it is the stage on which God discloses the progression of empires. Historical and Geographic Background The Ulai Canal lay near the Persian royal city of Susa in the province of Elam, a center of administration, trade, and military power. Persian engineers were famed for extensive irrigation networks that turned arid regions into fertile estates. To the original audience, the canal’s mention would anchor the vision in a place known for imperial grandeur, underscoring the credibility of the prophetic message and reminding later readers that God’s word intersects real history. Role in Daniel’s Vision 1. Setting of Revelation: Daniel is transported in vision to an imperial stronghold yet remains “in the Spirit,” demonstrating that God speaks even in seats of secular power. Theological Themes • Divine Sovereignty over Nations: While rivers may change course by human engineering, the ultimate flow of history remains in God’s hands (Daniel 4:17). Practical and Ministry Applications • Encouragement for Believers in Secular Contexts: Daniel’s encounter beside a Persian waterway assures Christians working in governmental, corporate, or academic arenas that God reveals Himself amid secular structures. Related Biblical Imagery • The river that makes glad the city of God (Psalm 46:4). Together with אוּבָל, these texts weave a tapestry portraying God as the ultimate source of sustenance, cleansing, and eternal life. Suggestions for Further Study • Trace water imagery from Genesis 2:10 through Revelation 22:1 to observe continuity in redemptive history. By contemplating אוּבָל within its immediate context and across the canonical narrative, believers gain a richer appreciation of God’s sovereign guidance of history and His provision for His people. Forms and Transliterations אוּבַ֥ל אובל הָאֻבָ֑ל הָאֻבָ֖ל האבל ’ū·ḇal ’ūḇal hā’uḇāl hā·’u·ḇāl hauVal uValLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Daniel 8:2 HEB: הָיִ֖יתִי עַל־ אוּבַ֥ל אוּלָֽי׃ NAS: was beside the Ulai Canal. KJV: in a vision, and I was by the river of Ulai. INT: become was beside Canal the Ulai Daniel 8:3 Daniel 8:6 3 Occurrences |
    |