עֻלָּא

Ulla, an Israelite

Definition

Ulla is a proper name of an Israelite man mentioned only once in the Old Testament. The name appears in a genealogical list of the tribe of Asher in 1 Chronicles 7:39, where Ulla is listed as a 'chief man' and a 'mighty warrior.' As a proper noun, it refers solely to this individual. The name's meaning, derived from its etymology, is 'burden' or 'yoke,' which was a common theme for Hebrew names, often reflecting circumstances of birth or a hoped-for character trait.

Biblical Usage

This word is used exactly once in the Old Testament, in 1 Chronicles 7:39. Its usage is strictly as a personal name within a genealogical record detailing the descendants of the tribe of Asher. The context is a list of family heads and valiant warriors, placing Ulla among the notable leaders of his tribe. No other usage or pattern exists in the biblical text.

Etymology

The name Ulla (עֻלָּא) is the Aramaic form of the Hebrew word 'olah' (עֹלָה, H5923), meaning 'burden' or 'yoke.' It is linguistically the feminine form of the noun, though applied here to a male individual, which is not uncommon in Semitic onomastics (the study of names). The root conveys the idea of something that is borne or carried.

Semantic Range

In ancient Israelite culture, names were often significant and descriptive. A name meaning 'burden' or 'yoke' might reflect the circumstances of Ulla's birth, a parental prayer for strength, or an acknowledgment of responsibility. Being listed as a 'chief man' and 'mighty warrior' in a tribal genealogy indicates he was a person of status and renown within his community, contributing to the identity and heritage of the tribe of Asher.

עֹל (ʻôl, H5923) — The root noun meaning 'yoke' or 'burden,' from which Ulla's name is derived.

Word Details

Scripture References