King James Bible Dictionary

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 (Isaiah 29:1, 2, 7) as "victorious under God," and in Ezekiel 43:15, 16, for the altar (marg., Heb. ariel) of burnt offerings, the secret of Israel's lion-like strength.

altar; light or lion of God

1. A messenger from Ezra to Iddo
Ezra 8:16

2. A symbolic name for Jerusalem
Isaiah 29:1-2; Isaiah 29:7

(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 29:1,2,7) 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."