Topical Encyclopedia
Etymology and MeaningThe name "Ariel" is of Hebrew origin, meaning "lion of God." It is derived from the Hebrew words "ari" (lion) and "el" (God). This name is used in various contexts within the Bible, often symbolizing strength and divine protection.
Biblical References1.
Isaiah 29:1-2, 7: Ariel is used as a symbolic name for Jerusalem. The prophet Isaiah refers to Jerusalem as "Ariel," emphasizing its significance as the city where David settled. The passage speaks of distress and judgment upon Ariel, yet also hints at eventual deliverance. The Berean Standard Bible reads: "Woe to you, Ariel, Ariel, the city where David camped! Year upon year let your festivals recur. Yet I will besiege Ariel, and there will be mourning and lamentation; she will be to Me like an altar hearth."
2.
Ezekiel 43:15-16: In this passage, Ariel refers to the altar hearth in the vision of the new temple. The BSB states: "The altar hearth shall be four cubits high, and four horns shall project upward from the hearth. The altar hearth shall be square, twelve cubits long and twelve cubits wide."
Interpretation and SymbolismIn Isaiah, Ariel as a name for Jerusalem underscores the city's role as a center of worship and its connection to King David. The use of "Ariel" in this context may also imply a dual nature of strength and vulnerability, as the city faces divine judgment but is also promised redemption.
In Ezekiel, the term "Ariel" as the altar hearth signifies the centrality of worship and sacrifice in the restored temple. The altar, being the place of offering, symbolizes reconciliation and communion with God.
Theological SignificanceAriel's association with Jerusalem highlights the city's spiritual importance in biblical history. It serves as a reminder of God's covenant with His people and the central role of worship in maintaining that relationship. The prophetic use of Ariel in Isaiah points to the themes of judgment and hope, reflecting the broader narrative of sin, punishment, and eventual restoration found throughout Scripture.
Cultural and Historical ContextThe use of animal imagery, such as a lion, is common in Hebrew literature and often conveys power and majesty. In the ancient Near Eastern context, lions were symbols of royalty and divine authority, which aligns with the depiction of Jerusalem as a city chosen by God.
ConclusionThe name Ariel, with its rich symbolism and varied usage, provides insight into the biblical themes of divine judgment, redemption, and the centrality of worship. Its application to both Jerusalem and the altar hearth underscores the enduring significance of these concepts in the spiritual life of Israel and the broader biblical narrative.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Arielaltar; light or lion of God
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Ariel(lion of God).
- One of the "chief men" who under Ezra directed the caravan which he led back from Babylon to Jerusalem. (Ezra 8:16) (B.C. 459.) The word occurs also in reference to two Moabites slain by Benaiah. (2 Samuel 23:20;1 Chronicles 11:22) Many regard the word as an epithet, "lion-like;" but it seems better to look upon it as a proper name, and translate "two [sons] of Ariel."
- A designation given by Isaiah to the city of Jerusalem. (Isaiah 29:1,2,7) We must understand by it either "lion of God," as the chief city, or "hearth of God," a synonym for the altar of burnt offering. On the whole it seems most probable that, as a name given to Jerusalem, Ariel means "lion of God," whilst the word used by Ezekiel, (Ezekiel 43:15,16) means "hearth of God."
ATS Bible Dictionary
ArielThe lion of God, one of Ezra's chief men,Ezra 8:16. This word is used, in2 Samuel 24:25;1 Chronicles 11:22, as a descriptive or perhaps a family name of two lion-like men of Moab. In another sense, Ezekiel applies it to the altar of God,Ezekiel 43:15, and Isaiah to Jerusalem, as the hearth on which both the burnt offerings and the enemies of God should be consumed,Isaiah 29:1,2,7. See alsoGenesis 49:9.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
The lion of God.
(1.) One of the chief men sent by Ezra to procure Levites for the sanctuary (Ezra 8:16).
(2.) A symbolic name for Jerusalem (Isaiah 29:1, 2, 7) as "victorious under God," and inEzek. 43:15, 16, for the altar (marg., Hebrews `ariel) of burnt offerings, the secret of Israel's lion-like strength.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
n.) Alt. of Ariel gazelle.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
ARIELa'-ri-el ('ariy'el or 'ari'el, "lioness of God"): But the word occurs inEzekiel 43:15, 16, and is there translated in the Revised Version (British and American) "ALTAR HEARTH."
(1) According to the Revised Version (British and American) a man of Moab whose two sons were slain by David's warrior Benaiah the son of Jehoiada (2 Samuel 23:201 Chronicles 11:22). Here the King James Version translates "two lionlike men of Moab."
(2) A name applied to Jerusalem (Isaiah 29:1, 2, 7). The many explanations of the name are interesting, but mainly conjectural.
(3) One of the members of the delegation sent by Ezra to the place Casiphia, to secure temple ministers for his expedition to Jerusalem (Ezra 8:16).
Willis J. Beecher
Strong's Hebrew
740.Ariel -- "lioness of El," a symbolic name for Jer.... 739, 740.
Ariel. 741 . "lioness of El," a symbolic name for Jer. Transliteration:
Ariel Phonetic Spelling: (ar-ee-ale') Short Definition:
Ariel.
...739.Ariel -- "lioness of El," an Israelite name, also a man of...
... 738, 739.Ariel. 740 . "lioness of El," an Israelite name, also a man of Moab.
Transliteration:Ariel Phonetic Spelling: (ar-ee-ale') Short Definition:Ariel...
741.ariel -- hearth, altar-hearth
... 740, 741.ariel. 742 . hearth, altar-hearth. Transliteration:ariel Phonetic
Spelling: (ar-ee-ale') Short Definition: hearth.... 740, 741.ariel. 742 ....
2025. harel -- altar
... 2024, 2025. harel. 2026 . altar. Transliteration: harel Phonetic Spelling:
(har-ale') Short Definition: altar. Word Origin another reading forariel, qv. altar...
Library
Ariel. CPM
... 303Ariel. CPM. Christ's Character Appreciated. (623) Oh, could I speak the matchless
worth, Oh! could I sound the glories forth, Which in my Savior shine!...
I am Told, Further, that You Touch with Some Critical Sharpness...
... who was his contemporary, and in the conclusion of his thirtieth Tome on Isaiah
(that in the end of which he explains the words "Woe toAriel which David took...
The Altar. The Rings. The Laver.
... The Temple was strait on the hinder part, but broad on the fore part; and resembled
the figure of a lion, because it is said, "Woe toAriel" (the lion of the...
Appendix 1 Massecheth Middoth
... But when the children of the Captivity came up, they added to it 4 cubits on the
south and 4 on the west like a gamma, because it is said, AndAriel shall be...
Index of Tunes.
... 95, 96 ANACREON IN HEAVEN, 334 ANNAPOLIS, 507, 515 ANTHEM FOR EASTER, 474 ANTIOCH,
166, 464 ANTIPHONALS, xiii ANVERN, 520 ARABIA, 388ARIEL, 137 ARLINGTON, 107...
Letter F
... Joseph D. "Received 1818, Located 1827 * Fate, George "Received 1836, Died 1839 *
Faucolm, John "Received 1795, Located 1791 * Fay,Ariel "Received 1830...
Letter W
... 1833 * Waller, William J. "Received 1825 * Walsh, Tracy R. "Received 1830, Located
1837 * Walters, Spencer "Received 1836 * Ward,Ariel "Received 1827...
The Lord's Furnace
... As Isaiah says in another place, Jerusalem is 'Ariel,' which probably means 'the
hearth of God.' His presence in the city is as a fire for the comfort and...
System of the Perat?? Explained Out of one of their Own Books.
... Ignorance is in the habit of denominating these Curetes chief of the winds; third
in order isAriel, according to whose image was generated ??olus, Briares....
Letter cviii. To Eustochium.
... [2777] Of its storming it is written, "Woe toAriel, toAriel""that is, God's lion,
(and indeed in those days it was extremely strong)""the city which...
Thesaurus
Ariel (7 Occurrences)... 43:15, 16, for the altar (marg., Hebrews `
ariel) of burnt offerings, the secret
of Israel's lion-like strength. Noah Webster's Dictionary.
... of
Ariel gazelle.
...Besiege (17 Occurrences)
... (KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT). Isaiah 29:2 And I will send trouble onAriel, and there
will be weeping and cries of grief; and she will be to me asAriel. (See NIV)...
Kabzeel (3 Occurrences)
... 2 Samuel 23:20 Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man of Kabzeel,
who had done mighty deeds, he killed the two sons ofAriel of Moab: he went...
Lamenting (8 Occurrences)
... (See RSV). Isaiah 29:2 And I have sent distress toAriel, And it hath been lamentation
and mourning, And it hath been to me asAriel. (See NAS)....
Encampment (8 Occurrences)
... (See JPS). Isaiah 29:1 Woe toAriel, toAriel, the city of David's encampment!
Add ye year to year; let the feasts come round. (DBY YLT)....
Doer (25 Occurrences)
... 2 Samuel 23:20 Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man of Kabzeel,
who had done mighty deeds, he killed the two sons ofAriel of Moab: he went...
Moaning (9 Occurrences)
... (See JPS). Isaiah 29:2 then will I distressAriel, and there shall be mourning and
lamentation; and she shall be unto me asAriel. (See JPS RSV)....
Cycle (3 Occurrences)
... (See NAS). Isaiah 29:1 Ho!Ariel,Ariel, the town against which David made
war; put year to year, let the feasts come round: (See NIV)....
Ar'i-el (1 Occurrence)
Ar'i-el.Ariel, Ar'i-el. Ariels . Multi-Version Concordance Ar'i-el (1 Occurrence)....
(See RSV).Ariel, Ar'i-el. Ariels . Reference Bible.
Altar-hearths (2 Occurrences)
... 2 Samuel 23:20 And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man of Kabzeel,
who had done mighty deeds, he slew the two'sons ofAriel of Moab: he went...
Resources
What is Israelology? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the significance of the city of Jerusalem? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the meaning of the word Elohim? | GotQuestions.orgAriel: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
