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Bible Dictionaries
Ariel
Smith's Bible Dictionary
or A'riel. (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 29:1-2; Isaiah 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".
These files are public domain.
Smith, William, Dr. Entry for 'Ariel'. Smith's Bible Dictionary. https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/eng/sbd/a/ariel.html. 1901.
