The Hebrew name ʻUllâʼ, represented by H5925, identifies an Israelite individual. Its base definition is "burden," and it is used in the Bible as a proper name, Ulla. This name is highly specific, appearing only 1 time in 1 unique verse in the entire biblical record.
The sole appearance of H5925 occurs within a genealogical list in the book of 1 Chronicles. The text establishes ʻUllâʼ as a patriarch by naming his descendants: "And the sons of Ulla; Arah, and Haniel, and Rezia" 1 Chronicles 7:39. In this context, the name serves to anchor a specific family line within the larger tribal records of Israel.
The record of H5925 connects it directly to the names of his sons and the foundational term for lineage:
- H1121 bên (son): This word establishes the primary relationship in the verse, identifying the descendants of Ulla and forming the basis of the genealogical entry 1 Chronicles 7:39.
- H733 ʼÂrach (Arah): The first son listed for Ulla. His name is defined as "way faring" 1 Chronicles 7:39.
- H2592 Channîyʼêl (Haniel): The second son of Ulla, whose name means "favor of God" 1 Chronicles 7:39.
- H7525 Ritsyâʼ (Rezia): The third son of Ulla mentioned in the lineage, his name means "delight" 1 Chronicles 7:39.
The significance of H5925 is entirely tied to its function within biblical genealogy, which carries its own theological weight.
- Preservation of Lineage: The mention of ʻUllâʼ and his sons is part of the meticulous preservation of family lines, which was crucial for establishing identity and inheritance within Israel.
- Patriarchal Identity: By being named as the father of three sons, ʻUllâʼ is recorded as the head of a family, contributing to the detailed account of the nation's structure 1 Chronicles 7:39.
- Meaningful Naming: Although the text does not comment on the meaning of Ulla's name, the names of his sons, like Channîyʼêl ("favor of God") and Ritsyâʼ ("delight"), are part of a naming tradition where names often reflected identity, hope, or character.
In summary, H5925 is a specific personal name, ʻUllâʼ, used once in the Old Testament. Its function is exclusively genealogical, identifying an Israelite father and his sons. While its base definition is "burden," its biblical role is to serve as a link in the ancestral chain, preserving the record of a family as part of the larger history of Israel documented in 1 Chronicles.
TRV