Ucal
(I am strong). According to the received text of (Proverbs 30:1) Ithiel and Ucal must be regarded as proper names; and if so, they must be the names of disciples or sons of Agur the son of Jakeh, an unknown sage among the Hebrews. But there is great obscurity about the passage. Ewald considers both Ithiel and Ucal as symbolical names, employed by the poet to designate two classes of thinkers to whom he addresses himself.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia on Ucal
Ucal u'-kal ('ukhal (see below)): This name occurs along with that of Ithiel (Pr 30:1), both being taken by older interpreters as those of ancient sages. Some have suggested (see Toy, Proverbs, 519 f) that Ucal might be the "Caleol" of 1Ki 4:31 (Heb 5:11). Ucal was also explained as "I can," i.e. "I can maintain my obedience to God," just as Ithiel was taken to be "signs of God." Septuagint, Aquila, Theodotion do not take the words as proper names, and so BDB with others point this word as a vb., "(and) I am consumed" (wa'ekhel, for [~we'ukhal). The last three words of the verse are then translated "I have wearied myself, O God, I have wearied myself, O God, and am consumed." ⇒See a list of verses on UCAL in the Bible. See ITHIEL. David Francis Roberts ⇒See also the McClintock and Strong Biblical Cyclopedia.
Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible on Ucal
Mentioned only in Pr SO". In AV and RV the word is treated as a proper name. It is, however, of an unusual form, and there are other objections to the rendering. A slightly diti'erent reading (see RVm) would give the mean- ing, 'I have wearied myself and am consumed' (LXX Kdl vauoiuu). See Ithiel, and cf. Lag. adloc.
Fausset's Bible Dictionary on Ucal
Agur spoke his words to Ithiel ("God with me"), and Ucal his disciples. (See ITHIEL) From yakol "he was strong." Keil, guesses that Ithiel, "God with me," denotes those glorying in intimate communion with God, and a higher insight thereby. Ucal, "I am strong," denotes those boasting of their might and denying God; freethinkers fancying themselves above the revealed law and in atheism indulging the lusts of the flesh (Pro 30:1).
References
- Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
- Easton, M.G. (1893) Easton's Bible Dictionary. 3rd edn. Thomas Nelson. [Public Domain]
- Nave, O.J. (1897) Nave's Topical Bible. Topical Bible Publishing Co.. [Public Domain]
- Hastings, J. (ed.) (1909) A Dictionary of the Bible. Edinburgh: T&T Clark. [Public Domain]
- Smith, W. (ed.) (1884) Smith's Bible Dictionary. London: John Murray. [Public Domain]
- Fausset, A.R. (1878) Fausset's Bible Dictionary. [Public Domain]A Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopaedia