אַרְיֵה
𐤀𐤓𐤉𐤄
ʼaryêh
H744 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Masculine noun referring to a lion, the large predatory feline (Panthera leo), with emphasis on its strength, ferocity, or majesty. In figurative use, denotes a powerful or dangerous figure or force. The semantic range includes the literal animal, as well as metaphorical references to rulers, enemies, or threatening situations.
Semantic Range
lion (literal, the animal); lion (symbolic of power, ferocity, or majesty); predatory or dangerous force (metaphorical); figure of a powerful adversary or ruler
Root / Etymology
From the root ארי (usually connected to the root ארה or ארי, with the core meaning related loosely to tearing or predatory activity), but precise etymology is uncertain; possibly onomatopoeic or borrowed from a substrate language. אַרְיֵה is the standard Aramaic form corresponding to Hebrew אֲרִי (ʼarí).
Historical & Contextual Notes
אַרְיֵה occurs exclusively in Aramaic sections of the Hebrew Bible (notably in Daniel 3:38; 6:8, etc.), where it is the typical word for lion. In contrast, the standard Hebrew term is אֲרִי (ʼarí). Aramaic אַרְיֵה is used both for literal lions and for metaphorical lions to denote powerful rulers, predatory adversaries, or situations of extreme danger. In later Hebrew, particularly post-biblical periods, these forms merged somewhat in rabbinic and poetic usage. English translations universally render אַרְיֵה as 'lion,' but may not capture the symbolic connotations (power, strength, danger) present in some biblical and Near Eastern contexts. No theological or ethnic nuance should be read into the figurative uses in Daniel or similar Aramaic passages; the usage remains consistent with broader Ancient Near Eastern metaphors of lions representing kingship, threats, or chaos.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
(Aramaic) corresponding to אֲרִי; {a lion}; lion.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
ארי (ʾ-r-y) — to tear, predatory behavior, lion (animal)
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H690 | אֲרָא | Ara |
| H691 | אֶרְאֵל | lion-mighty warrior |
| H739 | אֲרִיאֵל | Lion of God |
| H740 | אֲרִיאֵל | like Lion-of-God |
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H744-01 |
אַרְיָוָתָֽ/א | areyavata | ANcmpd/Td |
of lions | the lions | 8 |
H744-02 |
אַרְיָותָ֑/א | areyavta | ANcmpd/Td |
of lions | the lions | 1 |
H744-03 |
כְ/אַרְיֵ֔ה | kheareyeh | AR/Ncmsa |
like a lion | like a lion | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
10 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H744-01 |
Daniel 6:8 | אַרְיָוָתָֽ/א | areyavata | ANcmpd/Td |
of lions | the lions |
H744-02 |
Daniel 6:13 | אַרְיָותָ֑/א | areyavta | ANcmpd/Td |
of lions | the lions |
H744-01 |
Daniel 6:17 | אַרְיָוָתָ֑/א | areyavata | ANcmpd/Td |
lions | the lions |
H744-01 |
Daniel 6:20 | אַרְיָוָתָ֖/א | areyavata | ANcmpd/Td |
lions | the lions |
H744-01 |
Daniel 6:21 | אַרְיָוָתָֽ/א | areyavata | ANcmpd/Td |
the-lions | the lions |
H744-01 |
Daniel 6:23 | אַרְיָוָתָ֖/א | areyavata | ANcmpd/Td |
of the lions | the lions |
H744-01 |
Daniel 6:25 | אַרְיָוָתָ/א֙ | areyavata | ANcmpd/Td |
of lions | the lions |
H744-01 |
Daniel 6:25 | אַרְיָ֣וָתָ֔/א | areyavata-2 | ANcmpd/Td |
the lions | the lions |
H744-01 |
Daniel 6:28 | אַרְיָוָתָֽ/א | areyavata | ANcmpd/Td |
lions-the | the lions |
H744-03 |
Daniel 7:4 | כְ/אַרְיֵ֔ה | kheareyeh | AR/Ncmsa |
like a lion | like a lion |