אֲרִיאֵל (a.ri.el)
a.ri.el
Ariel
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name Ariel, derived from Hebrew roots meaning "lion" or "lioness," carries a weighty image of strength and majesty. In the Old Testament, it appears in only two verses, serving as a proper noun for distinct individuals or groups rather than a common descriptive term. Its most famous usage is poetic: Isaiah addresses Jerusalem as "Ariel," the altar hearth of God, evoking the city’s fortified, lion-like resilience and its central place in worship (Isaiah 29:1-2).
Outside this metaphorical application, the name identifies specific people from the United Monarchy period. It refers to a warrior among David’s mighty men (2 Samuel 23:20) and later to a chief returning from exile (Ezra 2:2; Nehemiah 7:7). Some scholars suggest it may denote a clan or group associated with Moab, though the exact etymology remains uncertain. The name’s dual nature—both a fierce animal symbol and a human identifier—reflects the biblical tendency to imbue personal names with theological significance.
Translators consistently render Ariel as a proper name without translating its literal meaning, preserving its identity as a title of honor or lineage. This approach highlights how ancient Hebrew culture valued names that conveyed character or divine association, leaving modern readers to infer the depth of "lioness of God" from context alone.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Ariel carries a sense of strength and divine presence, often linked to the imagery of a lion or an altar hearth. In Isaiah, Jerusalem is called Ariel, reminding us that God’s people are central to His worship and protected by His power. This poetic title suggests that even in times of trouble, we remain significant to Him.
While the name appears only twice in the Old Testament as a proper noun, its echoes of courage and faithfulness resonate through history. Whether referring to a warrior or a city, Ariel points to a legacy of trust in God’s strength rather than our own. It invites us to see ourselves as part of a larger story where God values loyalty and resilience.
When we encounter this name, let it encourage you that your life has purpose in God’s eyes. Like the lion or the hearth, you are called to stand firm in faith and shine with His light. May you find comfort in knowing that God remembers those who seek Him with steadfast hearts.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- [the] lion-like men of1×
- Ariel of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- אֲרִיאֵל֙1×
- אֲרִאֵל֙1×
Key Verses
-
II Samuel 23:20
Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man of Kabzeel, who had done mighty deeds, killed the two sons of Ariel of Moab. He also went down and killed a lion in the middle of a pit in a time of snow.
This verse highlights the name's association with valor, as Benaiah defeats the sons of Ariel of Moab, showing how the name identifies a formidable enemy in Israel’s military history.
-
I Chronicles 11:22
Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man of Kabzeel, who had done mighty deeds, killed the two sons of Ariel of Moab. He also went down and killed a lion in the middle of a pit on a snowy day.
The parallel account reinforces the significance of this encounter, emphasizing that overcoming adversaries linked to 'Ariel' was a key deed of David’s mighty men.