One of the leaders summoned by Ezra
Ariel
Named in 1 verse of Ezra, first in Ezra 8:16.
אֲרִיאֵלAriel
The name means “altar; light or lion of God.” Hitchcock's Bible Names, 1869
About Ariel Written by AI
Ariel is mentioned in Ezra 8:16 as one of the leaders summoned by Ezra to assist in the return of the Jewish exiles from Babylon to Jerusalem. Ezra, a priest and scribe, led a group of Israelites back to Jerusalem during the reign of King Artaxerxes of Persia, with the purpose of teaching and enforcing the Law of Moses among the people. In preparation for the journey, Ezra gathered leading men to accompany him. Ariel is listed among these leaders, along with Shemaiah, Elnathan, Jarib, Elnathan, Nathan, Zechariah, and Meshullam. Ezra sent these men to Iddo, the leader at Casiphia, to request the assistance of Levites and temple servants for the house of God in Jerusalem. The mention of Ariel in this context highlights his role as a trusted leader among the exiles and his willingness to support Ezra in the important task of restoring worship and religious practices in Jerusalem. However, beyond this brief mention, no further details about Ariel's background, family, or specific contributions are provided in the biblical text.
Drafted by an AI model for STEPBible's TIPNR (Tyndale House Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). Check it against the verses below.
Easton's Bible Dictionary, 1897
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.
M. G. Easton, Illustrated Bible Dictionary, third edition (1897), public domain, from CrossWire. Shown as written; its Scripture quotes are from older translations.
Where the Bible names him
- Ezra 8:16
Then I summoned the leaders: Eliezer, Ariel, Shemaiah, Elnathan, Jarib, Elnathan, Nathan, Zechariah, and Meshullam, as well as the teachers Joiarib and Elnathan.
From STEPBible's TIPNR, Tyndale House Cambridge (CC BY 4.0): names, family, references and the AI written article. Verse text is the BSB.