a deeper look at Arielle

On Thursday, 25 October 2012, I was water baptised in Hope Church Singapore with the baptism name, Arielle, as a public declaration of my following and dedication of my life to Jesus Christ.


It was one of the best days in my life, as my entire family came down to support - a huge blessing from God, considering how some Christians may have not received the approval or support of their family members prior to their baptism. And of course, many dearly loved friends and siblings in Christ of mine graced the event too (and many of them expressed an excitement which surpassed mine HAHA)

I chose Arielle because in Hebrew it literally means 'lion of God', and it spoke to me as a personal reminder to be a courageous follower of Christ; not just in outward bravery, but also inwardly, having courageous faith in God, His plans, and His promises. The verse from Joshua 1:9 also spoke to me at that point in time and remains as the 'anchor verse' behind my baptism name today. (As you can see, it is in the description of this writing space here.. haha!)

However, today, God led me to cover quite a bit of previously undisclosed meanings revolving my water baptism name of Arielle. Am not sure why I didn't manage to find these information when I was intensively looking up on biblical names and their meanings for a few nights before the water baptism event 1.5 years ago, but I'm glad God surfaced these to me now.

• The name Ariel is a Biblical baby name. In Biblical the meaning of the name Ariel is: Altar, light or lion of God. (source)
• The name Ariel is a Hebrew baby name. In Hebrew the meaning of the name Ariel is: Sprite; lion of God. A biblical alternate name for Jerusalem. Name of a prankish spirit in Shakespeare's The Tempest. (source)
• Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary: Isa 29:1-24. Coming Invasion of Jerusalem: Its Failure: Unbelief of the Jews. This chapter opens the series of prophecies as to the invasion of Judea under Sennacherib, and its deliverance. 1. Ariel—Jerusalem; Ariel means "Lion of God," that is, city rendered by God invincible: the lion is emblem of a mighty hero (2Sa 23:20). Otherwise "Hearth of God," that is, place where the altar-fire continually burns to God (Isa 31:9; Eze 43:15, 16).
• Wikipedia: Ariel (pronounced Ari'el), literally means 'Lion of God'. "Ari" (Lion) in Hebrew is also a synonym for bravery and courage and it is also the symbol of the tribe of Judah. The city of Ariel is named after Jerusalem. Ariel in the Hebrew Bible is one of the names for Jerusalem and the Temple of Jerusalem (Isaiah 29:1-8).
• Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible: Woe to Ariel, to Ariel, the city where David dwelt,.... Many Jewish writers by "Ariel" understand the altar of burnt offerings; and so the Targum, "woe, altar, altar, which was built in the city where David dwelt;'' and so it is called in Ezekiel 43:15 it signifies "the lion of God"; and the reason why it is so called, the Jews say (i), is, because the fire lay upon it in the form of a lion; but rather the reason is, because it devoured the sacrifices that were laid upon it, as a lion does its prey; though others of them interpret it of the temple, which they say was built like a lion, narrow behind and broad before (k); but it seems better to understand it of the city of Jerusalem, in which David encamped, as the word (l) signifies; or "encamped against", as some; which he besieged, and took from the Jebusites, and fortified, and dwelt in; and which may be so called from its strength and fortifications, natural and artificial, and from its being the chief city of Judah, called a lion, Genesis 49:9 whose standard had a lion on it, and from whence came the Messiah, the Lion of the tribe of Judah; or rather from its cruelty in shedding the blood of the prophets, and was, as the Lord says, as a lion unto him that cried against him, Jeremiah 12:8 and so the words may be considered as of one calling to Jerusalem, and lamenting over it, as Christ did, "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets"
• Biblehub: Pulpit Commentary: "hearth of God," or "altar of God," a signification which "Ariel" seems to have in Ezekiel 43:15, 16. But there is no evidence that "Ariel" was ever employed in this sense before the time of Ezekiel. Etymologically, "Ariel" can only mean "lion of God," and the name would in this sense be sufficiently descriptive of the Jewish capital, which had always hitherto been a sort of champion of Jehovah - a warrior fighting his battles with a lion's courage and fierceness.

So... in summary, the meanings attributed to Arielle are:

• lion of God
• city rendered by God invincible
• altar ; altar of burnt offerings
• light
• hearth of God; a place where the altar-fire continually burns to God (Isa 31:9; Eze 43:15, 16)
• bravery and courage
• Jerusalem (!)
• symbol of the tribe of Judah
• champion of Jehovah (the proper name for the God of Israel in the Hebrew Bible)
• a warrior fighting his battles with a lion's courage and fierceness

Had always heard from Mila about our baptism names (she's called Ariel, too!) meaning light, too, but never got to find the sources for that meaning till today. and now i finally know why. :) it sources from it being an altar!

Anyway, how I came about deciding to research more about this name was because I was just curious to excavate a more accurate meaning behind this name I chose.

To be honest, at times, I do wonder if this choice will have a lasting, enduring relevance and meaning because after all, it is going to accompany me for the rest of my life.

But now I guess, a name is a name, at purest only a sound, and what really matters is living out the life resolutions you have made to Christ, which are embedded in the name.

for me, i have publicly declared that i want to be not just a follower of Christ, but one who lives out God's strength, courage, bravery and light in every corner of my life, by living a life of radical faith through actions.... really easier prayed than done, but this is precisely why we need God in the picture, yea? :-)

also want to continue to keep my fire burning for God! and by God's grace people may be drawn to this light of fire and be led to wonder: what - or Who is it - that makes this fire burn relentlessly and never go out......

God, if this is within Your Will, empower me to be a warrior of Yours, equipped with Your wisdom and love, to choose the right battles in this life, and to fight them like a lion filled with the courage and valiance of Christ in her. thank You Jesus!

就是你了耶稣！哈哈 amen.