The Hebrew name ʼUkâl, represented by H401, means devoured or is described as a fancy name. It is a very rare term in scripture, appearing only 1 time in 1 unique verse. Its identity is tied exclusively to this single appearance as a proper name.
The sole instance of H401 is in the introduction to a collection of wisdom sayings. The verse identifies Ucal as one of two individuals to whom a prophecy was spoken. It states, "The words of Agur the son of Jakeh, even the prophecy: the man spake unto Ithiel, even unto Ithiel and Ucal" Proverbs 30:1. In this context, Ucal is positioned as a recipient of the inspired words from the man identified as Agur.
Several other names and words are directly associated with ʼUkâl in its only scriptural mention:
- H384 ʼÎythîyʼêl (God has arrived): This is the name of the individual mentioned alongside Ucal as a recipient of Agur's words Proverbs 30:1. The name also appears in a genealogy in Nehemiah Nehemiah 11:7.
- H94 ʼÂgûwr (gathered): This is the name of the man who speaks the prophecy to Ithiel and Ucal. The definition notes it is a fanciful name for Solomon Proverbs 30:1.
- H3348 Yâqeh (obedient): This is the name of Agur's father. Like Agur, the definition identifies this as a symbolical name for Solomon Proverbs 30:1.
- H1397 geber (man): This term, meaning a valiant man or simply a person, is used to describe Agur, the speaker of the words addressed to Ucal Proverbs 30:1.
The significance of H401 is derived entirely from its role within Proverbs 30:1, as there are no other contexts to draw from.
- Recipient of Prophecy: Ucal is distinguished as an audience for "the prophecy" of Agur. This places him in the position of one who listens to or receives inspired wisdom.
- A Symbolic Name: The base definition describes ʼUkâl as a "fancy name," and it appears with other names also defined as fanciful or symbolical, such as Agur and Jakeh. This suggests the names in this passage may carry a layered meaning.
- Connection to Wisdom: The name's single appearance is at the beginning of a chapter in the book of Proverbs, firmly setting its context within the genre of biblical wisdom literature.
In summary, H401 ʼUkâl is a proper name found only once in the Bible. Defined as "devoured" or a "fancy name," its identity is exclusively that of a co-recipient, with Ithiel, of the prophetic words of Agur the son of Jakeh. While the name itself carries no extensive theological development, its unique placement marks Ucal as a figure associated with the reception of divinely inspired wisdom.
TRV