ariel Summary and Overview

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

(lion of God). 1. One of the "chief men" who under Ezra directed the caravan which he led back from Babylon to Jerusalem. #Ezr 8:16| (B.C. 459.) The word occurs also in reference to two Moabites slain by Benaiah. #2Sa 23:20; 1Ch 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. #Isa 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, #Eze 43:15,16| means "hearth of God."

A'RIEL (lion of God), one of Ezra's chief men who directed the caravan which Ezra led from Babylon to Jerusalem. Ezr 8:16. Jerusalem being the chief city of Judah, whose emblem was a lion, Gen 49:9, the word Ariel is applied to that city. Isa 29:1.

("lion of God".) 1. A brave "chief," who directed under Ezra (Ezra 8:16) the caravan from Babylon to Jerusalem. ARELI is akin (Numbers 26:17). In 2 Samuel 23:20 Winer translates for "two like-like men" two (sons) of Ariel; but Gesenius supports the KJV. 2. A symbolic name for Jerusalem (Isaiah 29:1-2), the lion of God, rendered by God invincible. For "the lion of the tribe of Judah" is on her side (Revelation 5:5). "It shall be unto Me as Ariel"; it shall emerge from its dangers invincible, Sennacherib's invasion shall recoil on himself. In Ezekiel 43:15 "the altar"; the secret of Israel's lion-like strength, her having God at peace with her through the atoning sacrifice there. Menochius guesses that the lieu (aril) was carved on it; but as the word in Hebrew of Ezekiel 43:15 (arieil) is somewhat different from that in Isaiah, perhaps in Ezekiel it menus, from an Arabic root, "the hearth of God." Ganneau has deciphered on the Moabite stone that the Ariel of David is mentioned as taken by Mesha, the Moabite king, at Ataroth, and dragged before the face of Chemosh at Kerioth. The Ariel here must mean a lion carved altar of God.