The Standard Works
Bible Dictionary
Uncleanness
See
Clean and Unclean
.
The Standard Works
Bible Dictionary
Unicorn
A wild ox, the Bos primigenius, now extinct, but once common in Syria. The KJV rendering is unfortunate, as the animal intended is two-horned.
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Ur
Light.
Ur of the chaldees was the original home of Abram (Gen. 11: 28, 31; Gen. 15: 7; Neh. 9: 7). It is identified with modern Mugheir, now 150 miles from the Persian Gulf, but in those days it was a busy seaport town.
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Bible Dictionary
Urim and Thummim
Heb. term that means Lights and Perfections. An instrument prepared of God to assist man in obtaining revelation from the Lord and in translating languages. See Ex. 28: 30; Lev. 8: 8; Num. 27: 21; Deut. 33: 8; 1 Sam. 28: 6; Ezra 2: 63; Neh. 7: 65; JS-H 1: 35.
Using a Urim and Thummim is the special prerogative of a seer, and it would seem reasonable that such instruments were used from the time of Adam. However, the earliest mention is in connection with the brother of Jared (Ether 3: 21-28
). Abraham used a Urim and Thummim (Abr. 3: 1-4
), as did Aaron and the priests of Israel, and also the prophets among the Nephites (Omni 1: 20-21
; Mosiah 8: 13-19
; Mosiah 21: 26-28
; Mosiah 28: 11-20
; Ether 4: 1-7
). There is more than one Urim and Thummim, but we are informed that Joseph Smith had the one used by the brother of Jared (Ether 3: 22-28
; D&C 10: 1
; D&C 17: 1
). (See Seer
.) A partial description is given in JS-H 1: 35
. Joseph Smith used it in translating the Book of Mormon and in obtaining other revelations.
This earth in its celestial condition will be a Urim and Thummim, and many within that kingdom will have an additional Urim and Thummim (D&C 130: 6-11
).
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Bible Dictionary
Usury
Usury sometimes has more than one meaning. In biblical English it often means simply charging interest on a loan. At other times it implies an unduly high rate of interest. Under the law of Moses, Israel was forbidden to charge usury, as in Ex. 22: 25; Lev. 25: 35-38; Deut. 23: 19-21; Neh. 5: 1-13); Ezek. 18: 8; Ezek. 22: 12. The restriction, however, seems to be when lending to a fellow church member. There is no clear restriction against charges for loans to others. Jesus gives some credence to interest charges in Matt. 25: 14-30; Luke 19: 12-27. Latter-day revelation does not contain restrictions against interest charges.
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Uz
Land of Job, probably east of Palestine and north of Edom (Job 1: 1; Jer. 25: 20; Lam. 4: 21).
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Uzzah
Strength.
Slain for touching the Ark (2 Sam. 6: 6); called Uzza (1 Chr. 13: 9). The penalty may appear to us severe, but it must be remembered that the Ark was a sacred repository, and the people had been clearly warned that only designated persons could touch the Ark, and warned also of the consequences of disobedience.
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Bible Dictionary
Uzziah
Strength of the Lord.
Called Azariah (2 Kgs. 14: 21); king of Judah (2 Chr. 26: 1); builds Elath (2 Kgs. 14: 22; 2 Chr. 26: 2); influenced by Zechariah (2 Chr. 26: 5); defeats the Philistines (2 Chr. 26: 6); fortifies Jerusalem (2 Chr. 26: 9); smitten with leprosy (2 Kgs. 15: 5; 2 Chr. 26: 19); earthquake in his reign (Isa. 6: 1; Amos 1: 1; Zech. 14: 5); called Ozias (Matt. 1: 8).