What is the…
Ulai
also known as: Eulaus
Hebrew: אוּלַי —transliteration: Ulay
Greek: Εὔλαιος
This is a river of ancient Susiana. The Greeks called it the Eulaus.
The same river is mentioned in the Gilgamesh Epic, where it is called “the sacred river u-la-a”). Another name for Gilgamesh is Nimrod.
It was probably the eastern branch of the Karkheh River (aka Kerkhan, Choaspes, Choasper, Χοάσπης), which divided into two branches some 20 miles above the city of Susa (aka Shushan). It originates in the Zagros mountain range, and as it joins other rivers it eventually empties into the Persian Gulf.
Today it is located in modern Iran (formerly Persia).
The prophet Daniel speaks of standing “between the banks of Ulai”, i.e., between the two streams of the divided river (Dan. 8:2, 16).
More information
- Rivers of the Bible
- What are the Rivers of Babylon in the Bible
- Persia—What is its significance in the Bible?
- What is Susa (Shushan)?
- What are Susanchites?
- Cush
- What is the land of Elam?
- Kir
- Assur-bani-pal conquered Susa
- Daniel probably died in Susa
- Mordecai lived in Susa