English · KJV
H180

אוּבָל

ʼûwbâl /oo-bawl'/ Ask about this word
Rootor (shortened) אֻבָל · from יָבַל (in the sense of יָבָל)
Meaninga stream
KJV usageriver.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of ʼûwbâl — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word ʼûwbâl, represented by H180, means a stream or river. It appears 3 times across 3 unique verses in the Bible. Derived from the word יָבַל, it specifically denotes a flowing body of water.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

All occurrences of H180 are found in the book of Daniel, where it establishes the setting for a significant prophetic vision. Daniel sees himself "by the river of Ulai" Daniel 8:2, which serves as the backdrop for the events that unfold. The word is used to geographically anchor the vision, with a ram described as standing "before the river" Daniel 8:3. This location is then the site of a confrontation, as another symbolic animal comes to the ram "standing before the river" Daniel 8:6.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words clarify the context in which H180 is used:

  • H195 ʼÛwlay: This proper noun is used to name the specific river in Daniel's vision, the Ulai. The term is directly paired with H180 to identify the "river of Ulai" Daniel 8:2.
  • H2377 châzôwn: This word for vision is central to the context, defined as "a sight (mentally), i.e. a dream, revelation, or oracle." The entire scene by the river occurs within a vision given to Daniel, emphasizing its divine origin Daniel 8:2.
  • H5975 ʻâmad: Meaning to stand, this word describes the position of the prophetic ram in relation to the river. The ram is seen as it "stood before the river" Daniel 8:3, establishing the H180 as a key landmark for the vision's action.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H180 is tied to its exclusive use as a setting for divine revelation.

  • A Site for Prophetic Vision: The river is not merely a geographical feature but the chosen location where God provides Daniel with a prophetic vision H2377. Daniel is placed "by the river of Ulai" to witness future events Daniel 8:2.
  • Landmark for Symbolic Events: The river serves as a crucial point of reference for the symbolic actions of the vision. The events, such as the ram standing "before the river" Daniel 8:3 and the subsequent confrontation Daniel 8:6, are all oriented around this body of water, grounding the supernatural sight in a specific location.
  • Context for Divine Communication: The word's significance is derived from being the backdrop where Daniel "lifted up" H5375 his "eyes" H5869 and "saw" H7200 what God revealed. The river itself becomes part of the stage for God's communication with his prophet.

Summary

In summary, H180 ʼûwbâl, meaning a stream or river, is a rare term used exclusively in the book of Daniel. Its importance lies not in the word itself, but in its function as the setting for a critical prophetic vision. The river Ulai provides a distinct location where Daniel beholds symbolic events concerning world powers. Therefore, ʼûwbâl serves as a geographical anchor for divine revelation, demonstrating how God can use specific, physical places as the stage for communicating His plans to His prophets.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a noun across 3 occurrences, inflected in 2 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form. Select any form to read what each part of its name means, and to filter the occurrence list to it.

  • אֻבָל
  • אוּבַל

Related Words

Related

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

H195 אוּלַי of Persian derivation; the Ulai (or Eulaeus), a river of Persia; Ulai. H2377 חָזוֹן from חָזָה; a sight (mentally), i.e. a dream, revelation, or oracle; vision. H5975 עָמַד a primitive root; to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive); abide (behind), H5375 נָשָׂא or נָסָה; (Psalm 4:6 (אֲבַד)), a primitive root; to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, ab H5869 עַיִן probably a primitive word; an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape); aff H7200 רָאָה a primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransit

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

3 verses, all in Daniel — and none of the other 38 Old Testament books.

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, by grammatical form, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.