Who was Ariel in the Bible?

Ariel was the name of two lion-like men of Moab who were killed by Benaiah, one of King David's mighty warriors, as recorded in 2 Samuel 23:20 and 1 Chronicles 11:22. They are described as formidable warriors, possibly implying great strength or ferocity.

Why are the two men named Ariel significant?

Their significance lies primarily in showcasing the extraordinary valor of David's warrior, Benaiah, who defeated them. Their defeat is listed among Benaiah's greatest exploits, demonstrating God's empowerment of David's loyal fighters to overcome powerful enemies.

What does the name 'Ariel' mean in this context?

In this context, 'Ariel' likely means 'lion of God' or is a symbolic reference to their lion-like, fierce, and powerful nature as warriors. It distinguishes them as notable champions who were ultimately defeated by a champion loyal to God's anointed king, David.

Ariel

Old TestamentExile & ReturnFemaleA moabite

Ariel refers to two lion-like men of Moab who were killed by Benaiah, one of David's mighty warriors.

Ariel

Biography

The name Ariel, meaning "lion of God," is applied in 2 Samuel 23:20 (and its parallel in 1 Chronicles 11:22) to describe two formidable Moabite warriors whom Benaiah son of Jehoiada killed. The phrase "two lion-like men of Moab" (or alternately translated "two sons of Ariel of Moab") designates opponents of exceptional physical prowess and ferocity. Benaiah, one of King David's most celebrated mighty men, dispatched these warriors as part of his distinguished record of valor. The exact identity of these figures, whether Ariel is a personal name or a title, remains a subject of scholarly discussion, but the passage unmistakably honors the formidable nature of these opponents and the remarkable courage it took to defeat them.

Significance

The reference to these Moabite warriors in the context of David's mighty men serves the broader literary and theological purpose of celebrating the champions God raised up to secure Israel's borders and establish the Davidic kingdom. Benaiah's victories, including his defeat of these lion-like men, contributed to the military stability that preceded Solomon's reign of peace. Theologically, these accounts reinforce that God's purposes are advanced not only through prophets and priests but also through warriors of exceptional courage. The specific mention of these unnamed Moabites honors the magnitude of Benaiah's achievements and, by extension, the providential establishment of David's throne.

Verse Appearances (2)

2Sam

2Sam 23:20

1Chr

1Chr 11:22

References

Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Individualised Proper Names with all References (TIPNR). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
Wikidata contributors (n.d.) Wikidata. Available at: https://www.wikidata.org. [CC0]
Church of England (1769) The Holy Bible, Authorized (King James) Version. [Public Domain]

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