Rivers: Ulai
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Topical Encyclopedia
The Ulai River is a significant geographical feature mentioned in the Bible, specifically in the Book of Daniel. It is associated with the prophetic visions experienced by Daniel during the time of the Babylonian and Medo-Persian empires. The Ulai River is identified with the modern-day Karun River, which flows through present-day Iran.

Biblical Reference:

The Ulai River is mentioned in Daniel 8:2, where Daniel describes a vision he received: "In the vision I saw myself in the citadel of Susa, in the province of Elam; in the vision I was beside the Ulai Canal." . This vision is significant as it sets the stage for the prophetic revelation concerning the rise and fall of empires, symbolized by the ram and the goat.

Historical and Geographical Context:

The Ulai River, known today as the Karun, was a prominent waterway in the ancient region of Elam, near the city of Susa. Susa was a major city in the ancient world, serving as a capital for the Elamites and later as one of the administrative capitals of the Persian Empire. The river's proximity to Susa underscores its importance in the region's trade and transportation.

In the context of Daniel's vision, the Ulai River serves as a geographical marker that situates the vision within a real-world setting, lending historical credibility to the prophetic narrative. The vision by the Ulai Canal is a pivotal moment in the Book of Daniel, as it reveals God's sovereignty over the nations and His control over the course of history.

Theological Significance:

From a theological perspective, the mention of the Ulai River in Daniel's vision highlights the intersection of divine revelation and historical events. The vision by the Ulai Canal is a reminder of God's omniscience and His ability to reveal future events to His prophets. It also emphasizes the theme of God's ultimate authority over earthly kingdoms, a recurring motif in the Book of Daniel.

The Ulai River, therefore, is not merely a geographical detail but a symbol of the broader narrative of God's interaction with human history. It serves as a backdrop for the unfolding of divine prophecy, illustrating the fulfillment of God's plans through the rise and fall of empires.

Conclusion:

While the Ulai River is mentioned only briefly in the Bible, its inclusion in the Book of Daniel provides a rich context for understanding the prophetic messages conveyed to Daniel. The river's historical and geographical significance, coupled with its role in the prophetic vision, underscores the intricate relationship between God's revelation and the historical realities of the ancient Near East.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Daniel 8:16
And I heard a man's voice between the banks of Ulai, which called, and said, Gabriel, make this man to understand the vision.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Demonstration v. --Of Wars.
... dig and drink water and will dry up with my horses' hoofs all the deep rivers. ... of
Shushan the fortress that is in the province of Elam, upon the river Ulai. ...
/.../aphrahat/aphrahat select demonstrations/demonstration v of wars.htm

The First Chaldaean Empire and the Hyksos in Egypt
... The rivers"the Uknu,* the Ididi,** and the Ulai***"which water this region are,
on reaching more level ground, connected by canals, and are constantly ...
/.../chapter ithe first chaldaean empire.htm

Sennacherib (705-681 BC )
... The Pharaoh kept himself behind his rivers; the military science and skill ... of Nagitu,
in Susian territory, beyond the mouth of the Ulai.** Sennacherib entered ...
/.../chapter isennacherib 705-681 b c.htm

Sargon of Assyria (722-705 BC )
... The continual deposit of alluvial soil at the mouths of the rivers had greatly altered ...
plains of the Umliash and the united basins of the Lower Ulai and the ...
/.../chapter iiisargon of assyria 722-705.htm

The Rise of the Assyrian Empire
... the limmu, the king and his divine character, his hunting and his wars"The Assyrian
army: the infantry and chariotry, the crossing of rivers, mode of ...
/.../chapter iithe rise of the.htm

Chaldaean Civilization
History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 3. <. ...
/.../chapter iiichaldaean civilization.htm

The Power of Assyria at Its Zenith; Esarhaddon and Assur-Bani-Pal
History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 8. <. ...
/.../chapter iithe power of assyria 2.htm

The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire
... for the table or the winepress.** The plateau presents a poorer and less promising
appearance"not that the soil is less genial, but the rivers become lost ...
/.../chapter iiithe medes and the.htm

Resources
What is the significance of Damascus in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Who were the Sumerians? | GotQuestions.org

Is Göbekli Tepe where the Garden of Eden was located? | GotQuestions.org

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Subtopics

Rivers

Rivers of Abundance

Rivers of Ahava

Rivers of Babylon

Rivers of Canaan Abounded With Fish

Rivers of Damascus

Rivers of Eden

Rivers of Egypt

Rivers of Ethiopia

Rivers of Heavy Afflictions

Rivers of Jotbath

Rivers of Judah

Rivers of People Flying from Judgments

Rivers of Philippi

Rivers of the Abundance of Grace in Christ

Rivers of the Gifts and Graces of the Holy Spirit

Rivers: (Drying up of) of God's Judgments

Rivers: (Fruitfulness of Trees Planted By) of the Permanent

Rivers: (Overflowing of) God's Judgments

Rivers: (Steady Course of) Peace of Saints

Rivers: Abana

Rivers: Arnon

Rivers: Banks of Covered With Flags

Rivers: Banks of Frequented by Doves

Rivers: Banks of Frequented by Wild Beasts

Rivers: Banks of Frequently Overflowed

Rivers: Banks of Peculiarly Fruitful

Rivers: Banks of Places of Common Resort

Rivers: Banks of Planted With Trees

Rivers: Baptism often Performed In

Rivers: Broad

Rivers: Chebar

Rivers: Cities often Built Beside

Rivers: Deep

Rivers: Enclosed Within Banks

Rivers: Euphrates

Rivers: Flow Through Valleys

Rivers: Gardens often Made Beside

Rivers: Gihon

Rivers: God's Power Over, Unlimited

Rivers: Gozan

Rivers: Great and Mighty

Rivers: Hiddekel

Rivers: Jabbok

Rivers: Jordan

Rivers: Kanah

Rivers: Kishon

Rivers: Many, Fordable in some Places

Rivers: Often the Boundaries of Kingdoms

Rivers: Parted Into Many Streams

Rivers: Pharpar

Rivers: Pison

Rivers: Rapid

Rivers: Run Into the Sea

Rivers: Source of

Rivers: Ulai

Rivers: Useful For: Bathing

Rivers: Useful For: Commerce

Rivers: Useful For: Promoting Vegetation

Rivers: Useful For: Supplying Drink to the People

Related Terms

Flags (9 Occurrences)

Brink (11 Occurrences)

Bank (28 Occurrences)

Kine (24 Occurrences)

Lign (1 Occurrence)

Wicker (1 Occurrence)

Fetched (26 Occurrences)

Tar (3 Occurrences)

Tarsus (5 Occurrences)

Rushes (13 Occurrences)

Reeds (27 Occurrences)

Riverside (4 Occurrences)

Daubed (9 Occurrences)

Maids (28 Occurrences)

Bulrushes (3 Occurrences)

Coated (2 Occurrences)

Amphipolis (1 Occurrence)

Sedge (2 Occurrences)

Station (78 Occurrences)

Slime (6 Occurrences)

Pitch (25 Occurrences)

Fetch (45 Occurrences)

Hide (135 Occurrences)

Rod (138 Occurrences)

Changed (177 Occurrences)

Basket (40 Occurrences)

Covered (325 Occurrences)

Rivers (81 Occurrences)

Herself (121 Occurrences)

Wash (105 Occurrences)

Philippi (8 Occurrences)

Morning (264 Occurrences)

Midst (657 Occurrences)

Meet (281 Occurrences)

Ark (212 Occurrences)

Papyrus (4 Occurrences)

Serpent (40 Occurrences)

Rivers: Source of
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