Ulai
Summary
A river near the ancient city of Susa (Shushan) in Persia where Daniel received his vision of the ram and the goat.
☩Daniel's Vision
The Ulai is mentioned in Daniel's account of his vision of the ram and the he-goat, which he received while at the citadel of Susa. Daniel describes himself as standing 'by the Ulai canal,' and later hearing 'a man's voice between the banks of Ulai' calling Gabriel to explain the vision to him.
☩Identification
The Ulai has been identified with the Eulaeus of Greek and Roman geographers, a large stream in the immediate neighborhood of Susa. The river is generally identified with the modern Kerkhah, which rises near ancient Ecbatana (modern Hamadan) and flows through the Susian plain. In ancient times, the river bifurcated about twenty miles northwest of Susa, with the eastern branch flowing past the city walls. The phrase 'between the banks' in Daniel 8:16 may refer to this bifurcation or to the river and one of its artificial channels that surrounded the citadel.
☩Historical Significance
The Ulai (Assyrian: Ulaa) appears in Assyrian records, particularly in the sculptures of Ashurbanipal depicting his campaign against Te-umman of Elam. The reliefs show the stream bearing away bodies of men and horses, with the slain hindering the river's course and dyeing its waters with blood.
References
- 1.George Morrish, "Ulai," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).
- 2.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Ulai," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).
- 3.John McClintock and James Strong, "Ulai," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. X (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 4.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Ulai," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).
- 5.James Orr (ed.), "Ulai," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. V (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 6.James Orr (ed.), "Ulai," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. V (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).