אֲרִיאֵל
𐤀𐤓𐤉𐤀𐤋
Ariel
H739 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A personal and place name in the Hebrew Bible, meaning 'lion of God.' As a proper noun, Ari'el is used both for individuals and for a symbolic designation of Jerusalem. It may also function as a poetic or figurative term for heroism, strength, or fierceness, particularly ascribed to men of valor or spiritually significant figures. Its semantic range includes proper names, symbolic titles, and metaphorical expressions.
Semantic Range
proper name of individuals, symbolic name of Jerusalem, metaphor for heroism or strength, altar hearth (possible), fierce or lionlike men
Root / Etymology
From the root אֲרִי ('lion') and אֵל ('God'), forming a compound meaning 'lion of God.' The root אֲרִי derives from the Semitic biconsonantal *ʾry, meaning 'lion.' The morpheme אֵל is commonly used in theophoric compound names referencing deity.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the Hebrew Bible, אֲרִיאֵל (Ari'el) is attested in several contexts: as a personal name (e.g., a leader among the exiles returning from Babylon in Ezra 8:16), as an epithet or symbolic name for Jerusalem, especially in poetic and prophetic passages (e.g., Isaiah 29:1–2, 7), and occasionally as a term connected with ritual or cultic objects, though its precise function in Ezekiel 43:15–16 (where it may refer to the altar hearth or a structural feature of the altar) is a matter of scholarly debate. The use of 'lion' in personal names and titles typically connotes bravery and power, while the addition of 'God' reflects a divine association or endorsement. The translation 'lionlike men' in some English versions interprets the term as a metaphor for exceptional warriors (e.g., 2 Samuel 23:20; 1 Chronicles 11:22), but such readings depend on context and sometimes on interpretive traditions rather than direct lexical meaning. The later association of 'Ariel' as a poetic synonym for Jerusalem reflects its ongoing symbolic significance, but this usage should not be conflated with later religious or liturgical interpretations. The standard translation as 'lion of God' captures the lexical meaning, but the nuance in biblical texts varies between proper name, symbolic epithet, and metaphor.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
or אֲרִאֵל; from אֲרִי and אֵל; lion of God; i.e. heroic; lionlike men.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
ארי (ʾ-r-y) — lion, lion-like strength, bravery, fierceness
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H690 | אֲרָא | Ara |
| H691 | אֶרְאֵל | lion-mighty warrior |
| H740 | אֲרִיאֵל | like Lion-of-God |
| H744 | אַרְיֵה | the lions |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H739-01 |
אֲרִאֵל֙ | ariel | HNp |
Ariel | Lion of God | 2 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H739-01 |
2 Samuel 23:20 | אֲרִאֵל֙ | ariel | HNp |
Ariel | Lion of God |
H739-01 |
1 Chronicles 11:22 | אֲרִיאֵל֙ | ariel | HNp |
Ariel | Lion of God |