Boyd's Bible Dictionary: U

(pure water). A river in the province of Elam, where the palace of Shushan stood, on whose banks Daniel saw the vision of the ram and the he-goat (Dan. 8:2-16).

Ulam

(porch). (1) A descendant of Manasseh (1 Chron. 7:16-17). (2) Son of Eshek, a Benjamite, of the line of Saul (1 Chron. 8:39-40).

Ulla

(yoke). Head of an Asherite family (1 Chron. 7:39).

Ummah

(community). A city in Asher, associated with modern Alma, five miles from the Mediterranean coast (Josh. 19:30).

Uncircumcision

(not cut around). In a Scriptural sense, Gentiles (Rom. 2:25-29).

Unclean

A word which, with clean, was applied to personal and ceremonial conditions, as well as to the edibility of animals

The division of animals into clean and unclean existed before the Flood (Gen. 7:2). Uncleanness and the processes of purification are particularly described (Lev. 11-15; Num. 19). Unclean animals are specially mentioned (Lev. 11:9-31; Deut. 14:3-20).

Undergirding

A primitive way of keeping the hull of a ship from opening by passing a cable tightly around it

The ship in which Paul sailed from Crete to Italy was undergirded (Acts 27:17).

Undersetters

The molten projections which ornamented and supported the brazen layer in Solomon’s temple

(1 Kings 7:30).

Unicorn

(one-horned). A fabulous animal pictured as having one horn on its forehead and the body of a horse. The Hebrew word re’em, which is translated “unicorn” (Num. 23:22; 24:8; Deut. 33:17; Job 39:9; Psa. 22:21; 29:6; Isa. 34:7), does not refer to the one-horned creature of fable, but evidently to a two-horned animal (Deut. 33:17), possibly the now nearly extinct wild ox, auroch or urus of naturalists.

Unni

(afflicted). (1) A Levite appointed to play upon the psaltery, in the tune of David (1 Chron. 15:18,20). (2) Another Levite, who acted as watchman after the return from captivity (Neh. 12:9).

Upharsin

(Dan. 5:25-28). [MENE.]

Uphaz

Only in Jeremiah 10:9; Daniel 10:5, where it has been generally treated as an error for Ophir

Ur

(light, region). (1) Place where Abraham lived with his father Terah and his wife Sarah, before they started for the land of Canaan (Gen. 11:28,31). Mentioned in Genesis 15:7, as of the Chaldees, and Acts 7:2, as in Mesopotamia. (2) Father of Eliphal, one of David’s guard (1 Chron. 11:35). Called Ahasbai (2 Sam. 23:34).

Urbane

(of a city, polite). Greek form of the Latin Urbanus, a Christian disciple of Paul at Rome whom he salutes (Rom. 16:9). Urbanus in R. V.

Uri

(fire). (1) Father of Bezaleel, one of the architects of the tabernacle (Ex. 31:2; 35:30; 38:22; 1 Chron. 2:20; 2 Chron. 1:5). (2) Father of Geber, Solomon’s commissary officer in the land of Gilead (1 Kings 4:19). (3) A gate-keeper of the temple in the time of Ezra (Ezra 10:24).

Uriah

(light). (1) A Hittite (2 Sam. 11:3), and commander of one of the thirty divisions of David’s army (2 Sam. 23:39; 1 Chron. 11:41). He was husband of the beautiful Bathsheba whom David coveted, and with whom he had committed the crime of adultery (2 Sam. 11:4-5). In order to conceal his crime and procure her for a wife, he ordered Joab, commander-in-chief, to place Uriah and his forces in the hottest part of the battle with Ammon, and then to desert him, leaving him to be overwhelmed and slain by superior numbers (2 Sam. 11:15-17). (2) A high priest in the reign of Ahaz (Isa. 8:2), and probably the same as Urijah (2 Kings 16:10-16). (3) A priest of the family of Hakkoz, in time of Ezra, and head of the seventh priestly course (Ezra 8:33); written Urijah (Neh. 3:4,21).

Urias

(Matt. 1:6). [URIAH, 1.]

Uriel

(fire of God). A chief of the Kohathite Levites in the time of David (1 Chron. 15:5,11). (3) A Kohathite Levite, son of Tahath (1 Chron. 6:24). (4) Father of Michaiah, or Maacha, wife of Rehoboam and mother of Abijah (2 Chron. 13:2).

Urijah

(light of God). (1) A priest in the reign of Ahaz, and probably the same as Uriah (2) (2 Kings 16:10-16). (2) A priest of the family of Hakkoz or Koz, and probably same as Uriah (3) (Neh. 3:4,21; 8:4). (4) A prophet of Kirjath-jearim, and son of Shemaiah, who prophesied in the days of King Jehoiakim against Jerusalem and Judah according to the words of Jeremiah, and whom Jehoiakim sought to put to death. He fled to Egypt, but was pursued, caught, brought back and slain (Jer. 26:20-23).

Urim and Thummim

(light and perfection). From the way these mysterious words are spoken of (Ex. 28:30), and (Lev. 8:8), compared with (Ex. 28:15-21), they appear to denote some material things, separate from the high priest’s breastplate and its gems, and previously well known. Their purpose seems to be indicated (Num. 27:21; 1 Sam. 28:6), and, since they were connected with the ephod (1 Sam. 22:14-15; 23:9-12; 30:7-8), it may be inferred they were consulted to ascertain the will of Jehovah, and that they were preserved in the bag of the high priest’s breastplate to be borne “upon his heart before the Lord continually” (Ex. 28:30). Not in use after the captivity (Ezra 2:63; Neh. 7:65; Hos. 3:4).

Usury

(use). Exorbitant or unlawful interest for money loaned; but in a Bible sense the taking of any interest at all. The law of Moses prohibited Hebrews from exacting interest of one another on loans, though not of foreigners (Lev. 25:36-37; Deut. 23:19-20). Usury is severely denounced (Neh. 5:7,10; Psa. 15:5; Prov. 28:8; Ezek. 22:12).

Uthai

(helpful). (1) The son of Ammihud, of Judah, stayed at Jerusalem (1 Chron. 9:4). Athaiah (Neh. 11:4). (2) Son of Bigvai, who returned from captivity (Esther 8:14).

Uz

(fertile). (1) The land of Uz was Job’s country (Job 1:1). It was located east or southeast of Palestine (Job 1:3); adjacent to the Sabeans or Chaldeans (Job 1:15), and to the Edomites, who once occupied it as conquerors (Lam. 4:21). It is grouped with Egypt, Philistia, and Moab (Jer. 25:19-21). (2) The first son of Aram, son of Shem (Gen. 10:23; 1 Chron. 1:17). (3) Son of Nahor by Milcah (Gen. 22:21). Huz in A. V. and probably correct name for Uz. (4) Son of Dishan and grandson of Seir (Gen. 36:28).

Uzai

(strong). Father of Palal, who assisted in rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem (Neh. 3:25).

Uzal

(wanderer). Sixth son of Joktan (Gen. 10:27; 1 Chron. 1:21). His descendants occupied the district of Yemen in Arabia and built the city of Uzal, since changed to Sana, and still the capital.

Uzza

(strength). (1) The garden attached to the house of Manasseh, king of Judah. It evidently contained the family sepulcher (2 Kings 21:18,26). (2) A Benjamite descendant of Ehud (1 Chron. 8:7). (3) One of the drivers of the cart which bore the ark from Kirjath-jearim to Jerusalem, and who was slain by the Lord for putting his hand to the cart when the oxen stumbled (1 Chron. 13:7-11). Uzzah elsewhere. (4) A Merarite Levite (1 Chron. 6:29).

Uzzah

(strength). (2 Sam. 6:3-8). [UZZA, 3.]

Uzzen-sherah

(ear of Sherah). A town built by Sherah, a daughter of Ephraim (1 Chron. 7:24).

Uzzi

(mighty). (1) A son of Bukki and father of Zerahiah, in the line of high priests, but never a high priest (1 Chron. 6:5-6; Ezra 7:4). (2) A son of Tola and grandson of Issachar (1 Chron. 7:2-3). (3) A son of Bela, of the tribe of Benjamin (1 Chron. 7:7). (4) A Benjamite progenitor of several families settled in Jerusalem after the captivity (1 Chron. 9:8-9). (5) A Levite, son of Bani, and overseer of the Levites at Jerusalem after the captivity (Neh. 11:22). (6) A priest, and chief of the house of Jedaiah, in the time of the high priest Joiakim (Neh. 12:19). (7) A priest who assisted Ezra at the dedication of the walls of Jerusalem (Neh. 12:42).

Uzzia

(God’s strength). Designated as the Ashterathite, one of David’s guard (1 Chron. 11:44).

Uzziah

(God’s strength). (1) Son and successor of Amaziah on the throne of Judah, B. C. 810-758 (2 Chron. 26:1-3). He is called Azariah (2 Kings 14:21 and elsewhere). He was a godly king, an excellent general, and renowned city builder. But for daring to enter the temple and burn incense in violation of the law (Num. 16:40; 18:7), he was stricken with leprosy and forced to live in a separate house till he died (2 Kings 15:1-7; 2 Chron. 26). (2) A Kohathite Levite, son of Uriel and ancestor of Samuel (1 Chron. 6:24). (3) Father of Jehonathan, superintendent of David’s storehouses in fields, cities, villages and castles (1 Chron. 27:25). (4) A priest of the sons of Harim (Ezra 10:21). (5) A Judahite (Neh. 11:4).

Uzziel

(God’s might). (1) Fourth son of Kohath, son of Levi (Ex. 6:18,22); ancestor of the Uzzielites (Lev. 10:4); and also, through Elizaphan, of the Kohathites (Num. 3:19,27,30; 1 Chron. 15:10). (2) A captain of the sons of Simeon (1 Chron. 4:42-43). (3) A son of Bela and grandson of Benjamin (1 Chron. 7:7); (4) A son of Heman and one of the temple musicians in time of David (1 Chron. 25:4). Azareel (1 Chron. 25:18). (5) A descendant of Heman (2 Chron. 29:14-19). (6) An assistant wall-builder (Neh. 3:8).

Uzzielites

Descendants of Uzziel

(Num. 3:27; 1 Chron. 26:23).

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