Topical Encyclopedia
The Ulai is a river mentioned in the Bible, specifically in the Book of Daniel. It is associated with a significant prophetic vision experienced by the prophet Daniel. The Ulai River is identified with the modern-day Karun River, which flows through the region of ancient Elam, now part of southwestern Iran.
Biblical Reference:The Ulai is mentioned in
Daniel 8:2, where Daniel describes a vision he received during the third year of King Belshazzar's reign. The passage reads: "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." (
Daniel 8:2). This vision is significant as it involves the ram and the goat, symbolizing the Medo-Persian Empire and the Greek Empire, respectively.
Historical and Geographical Context:The Ulai River, identified with the Karun, was a prominent waterway in the ancient region of Elam. Susa, the citadel mentioned in Daniel's vision, was a major city in the Elamite, Persian, and Parthian empires. The river played a crucial role in the irrigation and agriculture of the region, contributing to the prosperity and strategic importance of Susa.
Theological Significance:The vision by the Ulai River is a part of Daniel's prophetic revelations concerning future empires and their impact on God's people. The location by the Ulai emphasizes the historical and geopolitical context of the prophecy, as Susa later became a significant center of power under the Persian Empire. The vision underscores God's sovereignty over the rise and fall of empires and His ultimate plan for His people.
Symbolism in Daniel's Vision:In Daniel's vision by the Ulai, the ram with two horns represents the kings of Media and Persia, while the goat with a prominent horn symbolizes the first king of Greece, commonly understood to be Alexander the Great. The breaking of the goat's horn and the emergence of four smaller horns signify the division of Alexander's empire among his generals. This vision highlights the transient nature of earthly kingdoms and the enduring sovereignty of God.
Cultural and Archaeological Insights:Archaeological discoveries in the region of ancient Susa have provided insights into the historical context of Daniel's vision. Excavations have revealed the grandeur of the city during the Achaemenid period, including palaces and administrative buildings. These findings corroborate the biblical account of Susa as a significant center of power and culture during the time of Daniel's vision.
The Ulai River, therefore, serves as a geographical anchor for one of the pivotal prophetic visions in the Book of Daniel, linking the biblical narrative to the historical realities of the ancient Near East.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Ulaistrength; fool; senseless
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Ulai(pure water) is mentioned by Daniel, (Daniel 8:2,16) as a river near to Susa, where he saw his vision of the ram and the he-goat. It has been generally identified with the Eulaeus of the Greek and Roman geographers, a large stream in the immediate neighborhood of that city. The Eulseus has been by many identified with the Choaspes, which is undoubtedly the modernKerkhah , an affluent of the Tigris, flowing into it a little belowKurnah . Recent surveys show that the Choarspes once divided into two streams about 20 miles above Susa. The eastern was the Ulai. This bifurcation explains (Daniel 8:16)
ATS Bible Dictionary
UlaiOr Euleus, a river which ran by the city Shushan, in Persia, on the bank of which Daniel had a famous vision,Daniel 8:2,16. It was the Choaspes of the Greeks, and is now called the Kerkhah; but appears to have had in ancient times a second channel, still traceable, nine hundred feet wide and twenty feet deep, and flowing along the east side of Shushan. The two channels emptied their waters through the river now called the Karun into the Shat-el-Arab, the united stream of the Euphrates and Tigris, twenty miles below their junction at Korna.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
The Eulaus of the Greeks; a river of Susiana. It was probably the eastern branch of the Choasper (Kerkhan), which divided into two branches some 20 miles above the city of Susa. Hence Daniel (
8:2, 16) speaks of standing "between the banks of Ulai", i.e., between the two streams of the divided river.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
ULAIu'-li, u'-lai ('ubhal 'ulay, "river Ulai"; TheodotionDaniel 8:2, Oubal, the Septuagint and Theodotion in 8:16, Oulai Latin, Eulaeus):
1. The Name and Its Forms:
A river which, running through the province of Elam, flowed through Shushan or Susa. It was from "between" this river that Daniel (8:16) heard a voice, coming apparently from the waters which flowed between its two banks.
2. Present Names and Course:
Notwithstanding that the rivers of Elam have often changed their courses, there is but little doubt that the Ulai is the Kerkhah, which, rising in the Persian plain near Nehavend (there called the Gamas-ab), is even there a great river. Turned by the mountains, it runs Northwest as far as Bisutun, receiving all the waters of Southern Kurdistan, where, as the Sein Merre, it passes through the inaccessible defiles of Luristan, its course before reaching the Kebir-Kuh being a succession of rapids. Turned aside by this mountain, it follows for about 95 miles the depression which here exists as far as the foothills of Luristan, reaching the Susian plain as a torrent; but it becomes less rapid before losing itself in the marshes of Hawizeh. The course of the stream is said to be still doubtful in places.
3. Changed Bed at Susa:
In ancient times it flowed at the foot of the citadel of Susa, but its bed is now about 1 1/4 miles to the West. The date of this change of course (during which a portion of the ruins of Susa was carried away) is uncertain, but it must have been later than the time of Alexander the Great. The stream's greatest volume follows the melting of the snows in the mountains, and floods ensue if this coincides with the advent of heavy rain. Most to be dreaded are the rare occasions when it unites with the Ab-e-Diz.
4. Assyrian References:
The Ulai (Assyrian Ulaa or Ulaia) near Susa is regarded as being shown on the sculptures of the Assyrian king Ashur-bani-pal (British Museum, Nineveh Gal.) illustrating his campaign against Te-umman. Its rapid stream bears away the bodies of men and horses, with chariots, bows and quivers. The bodies which were thrown into the stream hindered its course, and dyed its waters with their blood.
LITERATURE
See Delegation en Perse: Memoires, I, Recherches Archeologiques, 25;.
T. G. Pinches
Strong's Hebrew
195. Ulay -- a river of Elam... 194, 195. Ulay. 196 . a river of Elam. Transliteration: Ulay Phonetic
Spelling: (oo-lah'ee) Short Definition:
Ulai. Word
...Ulai. Of
...Library
Preparation for Revival
... He is as willing to show thee his love as he was to reveal himself to Daniel
on the banks ofUlai, or to Ezekiel by the streams of Chebar....
Demonstration v. --Of Wars.
... For Daniel saw the ram when he was in the East before the gate of Shushan the
fortress that is in the province of Elam, upon the riverUlai....
Cyrus.
... Daniel, when at Susa, a Median city on the riverUlai, beheld his last vision, when
the Angel Gabriel prophesied to him in detail all the wars of the Persians...
The First Chaldaean Empire and the Hyksos in Egypt
... The rivers"the Uknu,* the Ididi,** and theUlai***"which water this region are,
on reaching more level ground, connected by canals, and are constantly...
Sennacherib (705-681 BC )
... his followers, crossed the lagoon, and effected a landing in the district of Nagitu,
in Susian territory, beyond the mouth of theUlai.** Sennacherib entered...
Sargon of Assyria (722-705 BC )
... conflict without being impeded by almost insurmountable natural obstacles, namely,
in the plains of the Umliash and the united basins of the LowerUlai and the...
The Power of Assyria at Its Zenith; Esarhaddon and Assur-Bani-Pal
History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 8. <....
The Rise of the Assyrian Empire
History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 6. <....
Chaldaean Civilization
History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 3. <....
The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire
History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 8. <....
Thesaurus
Ulai (2 Occurrences)... Hence Daniel (8:2, 16) speaks of standing "between the banks of
Ulai", ie, between
the two streams of the divided river. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
ULAI.
...U'lai (2 Occurrences)
...Ulai, U'lai. Ulam .... Daniel 8:16 I heard a man's voice between the banks of the
Ulai, which called, and said, Gabriel, make this man to understand the vision...
Elamites (2 Occurrences)
... navigable as far as Shuster. This is identified with the BiblicalUlai (Assyrian
Ulaa, classical Eulaeus). In ancient times emptying...
Elam (24 Occurrences)
... navigable as far as Shuster. This is identified with the BiblicalUlai (Assyrian
Ulaa, classical Eulaeus). In ancient times emptying...
Uknaz
Gabriel (5 Occurrences)
... Daniel 8:16 I heard a man's voice between the banks of theUlai, which called,
and said, Gabriel, make this man to understand the vision....
Watercourse (6 Occurrences)
... Versions of the Bible has "streams of water"; compare yubhal, "rivers" (Jeremiah
17:8); yubhal, "Jubal" (Genesis 4:21); 'ubhal, "the riverUlai" (Daniel 8:2, 3...
Water-door (1 Occurrence)
... I saw in the vision; and when I saw it, I was in the strong town Shushan, which
is in the country of Elam; and in the vision I was by the water-door of theUlai...
Rivers (81 Occurrences)
... Rivers of Babylon. (Psalm 137:1), ie, of the whole country of Babylonia, eg, the
Tigris, Euphrates, Chalonas, theUlai, and the numerous canals....
Banks (11 Occurrences)
... Daniel 8:16 I heard a man's voice between the banks of theUlai, which called,
and said, Gabriel, make this man to understand the vision....
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