Dict: smith - ARIEL

smith:

ARIEL - A>@ - (lion of God). One of the "chief men" who under Ezra directed the caravan which he led back from Babylon to Jerusalem. kjv@Ezra:8:16) (B.C. 459.) The word occurs also in reference to two Moabites slain by Benaiah. (2 Samuel 23:20; kjv@1Chronicles: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." A designation given by Isaiah to the city of Jerusalem. kjv@Isaiah:29:1-2 kjv@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, kjv@Ezekiel:43:15-16) means "hearth of God."