Dictionaries :: Ariel

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Ariel:

the lion of God. (1.) One of the chief men sent by Ezra to procure Levites for the sanctuary (Ezr 8:16).

(2.) A symbolic name for Jerusalem (Isa 29:1,2,7) as "victorious under God," and in Eze 43:15, 16, for the altar (marg., Heb. 'ariel) of burnt offerings, the secret of Israel's lion-like strength.

Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary

Ariel:

altar; light or lion of God

International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia

Ariel:

a'-ri-el ('ariy'el or ‘ari'el, "lioness of God"): But the word occurs in Eze 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 (2Sa 23:20; 1Ch 11:22). Here the King James Version translates "two lionlike men of Moab."

(2) A name applied to Jerusalem (Isa 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 (Ezr 8:16).

Written by Willis J. Beecher

Nave's Topical Bible

Ariel: 1. A Messenger from Ezra to Iddo

Ezr 8:16

Ariel: 2. A Symbolical Name for Jerusalem

Isa 29:1, 2, 7

Smith's Bible Dictionary

Ariel:

(lion of God).

(1.) 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."

(2.) A designation given by Isaiah to the city of Jerusalem (Isaiah 29:1; 29:7). 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.".