The study of angels (both in the Bible and other extrabiblical accounts) can be a fascinating topic. One of the interesting beings we can discuss is the angel Ariel.
Angels are mentioned several times throughout the Old and New Testament, and we can find several general roles angels take. The term “angel” means a messenger, and the Bible describes angels doing this primary function. However, angels also bring judgment or death. They even defeat armies.
What about the angel Ariel? What can we know about this heavenly being?
What Does the Word Ariel Mean in the Bible?
The name Ariel is derived from Hebrew origins, meaning “lion of God,” and appears in several Bible passages.
It should be noted that some texts and scholars use Ariel as a version of Uriel, which has a different meaning, the light of God. In this article, we will focus on Ariel.
The Bible connects the tribe of Judah with the image of a lion. This association begins in Jacob’s blessings (including prophetic messages) to his twelve sons before his death. When Jacob blesses Judah, he uses powerful imagery:
“Judah is a lion’s cub; from the prey, my son, you have gone up. He stooped down; he crouched as a lion and as a lioness; who dares rouse him? The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until tribute comes to him; and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples.” (Genesis 49:9-10)
This prophecy is often interpreted as a foreshadowing of the Davidic line, which Jesus came from. The lion imagery symbolizes strength, courage, and royalty, emphasizing the tribe’s significance among Israel’s twelve tribes.
Furthermore, in Revelation, Jesus is called the “Lion of the tribe of Judah.” This title reinforces the connection between Judah, the lion, and the messianic lineage.
Since the name Ariel means “lion of God,” and Jerusalem is cited as the City of David of the tribe of Judah, prophets use Ariel as another name for Jerusalem.
Does the Old Testament Mention an Angel Named Ariel?
Ariel appears in two distinct contexts in the book of Isaiah.
In Isaiah 29:1-2, Ariel is a symbolic name for Jerusalem:
“Woe to you, Ariel, Ariel, the city where David settled! Add year to year and let your cycle of festivals go on. Yet I will besiege Ariel; she will mourn and lament, she will be to me like an altar hearth.”
In this context, Ariel is a poetic designation for Jerusalem, emphasizing its connection to King David and conveying mourning and lamentation.
The second reference appears later in the same chapter (Isaiah 29:7-9), where Ariel is associated with the judgment of God.
“The hordes of all the nations that fight against Ariel, that attack her and her fortress and besiege her, will be as it is with a dream, with a vision in the night—as when a hungry person dreams of eating, but awakens hungry still; as when a thirsty person dreams of drinking, but awakens faint and thirsty still. So will it be with the hordes of all the nations that fight against Mount Zion.”
In these verses, Ariel is linked to a besieged fortress, representing the consequences of disobedience and the coming divine judgment. Here, Arriel underscores the situation’s gravity and impending divine intervention.
Outside of Isaiah, there is a reference in the Book of Ezra to a person named Ariel: one of the leaders who returns from Babylon with Zerubbabel (Ezra 8:16). This Ariel’s identity remains somewhat ambiguous. Interpretations may vary. Given the context, this is likely a person, not an angel. But with apocryphal mentions of an angelic being called Ariel, some may connect him with angels.
While the Old Testament refers many times to angels, it does not consistently associate Ariel with a specific angelic entity. The more detailed descriptions of angels and their roles often appear in other biblical books, such as Daniel and Ezekiel, rather than in these Ariel passages.
Do Ancient Books Outside the Bible Mention an Angel Named Ariel?
While the canonical Scriptures do not mention the name Ariel much, it appears in some extrabiblical texts, notably in the Book of Enoch.
The Book of Enoch, also known as 1 Enoch, is a collection of ancient Jewish apocalyptic texts exploring various themes—including visions, heavenly realms, and the activities of angels.
Scholars consider Enoch part of the Pseudepigrapha. In ancient times, authors often wrote books and attributed them to famous people, giving their writing more credibility. Many ancient books are attributed to Moses, Solomon, and other biblical figures, though scholarship does not support these claims. The Book of Enoch was written thousands of years after his life, so he obviously couldn’t have written it.
However, the book of Enoch and other pseudepigraphical books were well-known during the New Testament period.
The Book of Enoch describes a group of beings (watchers or angels) and even a hierarchy of angels divided into classes and orders. Each archangel is assigned specific roles, such as Michael being the warrior archangel and Gabriel serving as a messenger.
In the Book of Enoch, Ariel is an angel associated with the punishment of sinners and executing divine justice. 1 Enoch 20:1-7 adds many details about angels’ roles, and Ariel is portrayed as a punitive angel who brings judgment upon those who transgress against God. The specifics of Ariel’s duties are not as detailed as some other angels in the Book of Enoch, although the text consistently describes his role as maintaining divine order. Still, the text contributes to the broader understanding of angelic hierarchies and their functions.
As legends and ideas about angels have developed over the years, Ariel has been given the role of a guardian of the underworld, the world of death, Sheol, due to the writings in Enoch.
Ariel receives a different role in the Talmud—a collection of civil and ceremonial law. The Talmud relates a legend about Ariel and the sacking of Jerusalem in 70 AD. When Titus’s Roman legions set fire to the Second Temple, God commands Ariel, the Guardian of the Holy Altar, to carry off the sacred altar’s gleaming coals to keep the holy fire safe. Rabbi Satlow writes in a 1945 Jewish newsletter how Jews kept this holy fire alive in the Diaspora by establishing synagogue-and-school systems in Jewish communities.
How Does the Angel Ariel Appear in Christian Literature?
The angel Ariel has appeared in various works of Christian literature, the most notable instance being in John Milton’s epic poem Paradise Lost. Written in the 17th century, Paradise Lost explores the biblical story of the Fall of Man, providing a poetic and imaginative reinterpretation of the events in the Garden of Eden.
Ariel is not a central figure in Milton’s epic but is briefly mentioned in Book III. Ariel is one of the countless angels who rally to support God’s plan after Lucifer’s rebellion. Ariel’s cameo fits the traditional understanding of angels as celestial beings serving the divine will. While Ariel does not play a significant role in the narrative, Milton’s inclusion of various angels, including Ariel, contributes to the rich tapestry of celestial characters that populate the poem.
Ariel is also the name of a character in William Shakespeare’s play The Tempest. Here, Ariel is a spirit of the air inhabiting a magical island. Initially bound to serve the sorcerer Prospero, Ariel’s character is remarkably proficient in magic. Throughout the play, Ariel uses enchantments and ethereal abilities to execute Prospero’s commands. Shakespeare adds several layers of ambiguity to the character—for example, he leaves it unclear whether Ariel is male or female. Ariel’s journey is also ambiguous—he is loyal to Prospero but longs for freedom. The character’s eventual release from servitude highlights the play’s themes of liberation.
Outside of Christian literature, various people claimed to have communicated with the angel Ariel. John Dee (1527-1608) was a mathematician, antiquary, and astrologer whom Queen Elizabeth I called “her philosopher.” Dee used a scryer, Barnabas Saul, to commune with angels, claiming Ariel or Uriel was one he spoke with.
How Do We Talk with Other Christians about the Angel Ariel?
Engaging in discussions about the angel Ariel with fellow Christians can be interesting. We must balance sharing what is canonical biblical content and what is extrabiblical, and foster understanding about why the difference matters. At the same time, we must have grace for fellow believers. We can begin to have graceful discussions by doing the following.
- Acknowledge Diverse Beliefs. Recognize that interpretations of angelic beings, including Ariel, may vary among Christians. Some may adhere strictly to canonical biblical texts, while others may find value in exploring extrabiblical sources, such as the Book of Enoch. Understanding and respecting these differences is crucial for constructive dialogue.
- Highlight the Canonical Bible’s Primacy. Emphasize the centrality of the canonical Bible in Christian belief and practice. Encourage fellow Christians to ground their understanding of angels in the biblical texts widely accepted by their specific tradition. Remind them that while extrabiblical sources can offer insights, the core of Christian doctrine is rooted in the canonical scriptures.
- Provide Context for Extrabiblical Texts. If discussing sources like the Book of Enoch, offer historical and contextual information. Explain that not all Christian denominations consider these texts canonical; some were excluded from the standard biblical canon. Encourage critically examining such texts while appreciating their potential historical or cultural value.
- Encourage a Learning Mindset. Promote a spirit of curiosity and a willingness to learn. Encourage fellow Christians to explore diverse perspectives and engage in theological discussions with an open mind. A learning mindset can foster unity within the Christian community, even amid differing interpretations of angelic beings.
- Emphasize Common Ground. Most importantly, while acknowledging differences, underscore the common ground Christians share. Focus on core beliefs such as the divinity of Christ, salvation through faith, and the importance of love and compassion. By reinforcing shared values, discussions about less central topics like specific angels can be approached with humility and unity.
In conclusion, conversations about the angel Ariel within a Christian community benefit from being respectful and maintaining unity on core issues and the canon of scripture while allowing for different beliefs and ideas about extrabiblical works and ideas of angels to be discussed. Balancing these elements can contribute to a more fruitful and harmonious exploration of theological topics that extend beyond the canon of the Bible.
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/rudall30
