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".