Lexical Summary Aryowk: Arioch Original Word: אֲרְיוֹךְ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Arioch Of foreign origin; Arjok, the name of two Babylonians -- Arioch. Brown-Driver-Briggs אַרְיוֺךְ proper name, masculine king of Ellasar Genesis 14:1,9, ally of Chedorlaomer in his western foray (probably = Rim-Aku, Elamite king of Larsa = Ellasar; compare COT ii. 297 f.). **On Rim-Akw (= Eri-Aku ?), see now also DrComm. Gn. 156 ff.; ZimKAT 3. 367 thinks identification very dubious. אֲרִיסַי proper name, masculine son of Haman Esther 9:9; Αρσαιος. Topical Lexicon Biblical AppearancesArioch occurs seven times in the Old Testament and names two distinct men. The first is Arioch king of Ellasar, mentioned twice in Genesis 14. The second is Arioch, the commander of the royal guard under Nebuchadnezzar, appearing five times in Daniel 2. Arioch, King of Ellasar (Genesis 14:1, 9) Genesis 14 describes a coalition of four Mesopotamian rulers who invade Canaan. “In those days Amraphel king of Shinar, Arioch king of Ellasar, Chedorlaomer king of Elam, and Tidal king of nations” (Genesis 14:1) wage war that eventually sweeps up Lot and prompts Abram’s rescue mission. Arioch thus stands at the forefront of the first recorded international conflict in Scripture. Although Ellasar is not precisely identified, archaeological consensus points to southern Mesopotamia (often equated with Larsa). Arioch’s defeat by Abram’s small band highlights God’s protection of the covenant line and foreshadows Israel’s later deliverances from stronger foes. Arioch, Commander of the Guard (Daniel 2:14-25) Centuries later, Arioch reappears as the title of Nebuchadnezzar’s chief executioner. When the king orders the death of all Babylonian advisers for failing to reveal his dream, “Arioch, the commander of the king’s guard, had gone out to execute the wise men of Babylon” (Daniel 2:14). Daniel responds “with discretion and tact,” requesting time to seek the interpretation from God. Arioch facilitates Daniel’s access to the king (Daniel 2:25), demonstrating that even pagan officials are moved to aid God’s servants when divine purposes require it. Historical Considerations 1. Chronological Span Arioch in Genesis belongs to the patriarchal era (second millennium B.C.), whereas the Arioch in Daniel functions in the Neo-Babylonian period (sixth century B.C.). The name’s recurrence across time and empire underscores a common practice of Semitic and Akkadian naming and testifies to the historic breadth of Scripture. 2. Political Roles 3. Extra-Biblical Parallels Tablets from Larsa mention rulers bearing similar names, strengthening confidence in the historicity of the Genesis narrative. Meanwhile, Babylonian administrative texts confirm the existence of a šar taḫtabṭu (“chief of the bodyguard/executioners”), matching Daniel’s description. Theological and Redemptive Themes • Sovereignty of God over Nations Both narratives affirm that earthly rulers—whether coalition kings or Babylonian captains—are subject to divine direction. Arioch’s military might collapses before Abram’s faith, and Arioch’s sword is stayed until Daniel reveals the king’s dream. • Preservation of the Covenant Line In Genesis, God’s promise to Abram (“I will bless those who bless you…,” Genesis 12:3) is enacted when formidable kings, including Arioch, suffer defeat. • Revelation and Wisdom In Daniel, Arioch’s presence sharpens the crisis leading to the revelation of the statue dream, showcasing God as “the revealer of mysteries” (Daniel 2:28). Ministry Lessons 1. Courageous Engagement Abram confronts Arioch’s coalition with trained servants; Daniel calmly addresses Arioch with wisdom. God’s people may face hostile powers with both faith and prudence. 2. Influence within Babylon Arioch’s assistance to Daniel illustrates how believers can find favor with secular authorities while remaining uncompromised in loyalty to God. 3. Prayer and Dependence The turning point in both episodes is not human strength but divine intervention—Abram’s trust and Daniel’s prayer meeting (Daniel 2:17-18). Prophetic and Redemptive Links • Proto-Messianic Echo Abram’s victory over Arioch anticipates the ultimate seed of Abraham triumphing over the “kings of the earth.” • Kingdom Trajectory The image in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, conveyed through Arioch’s crisis, points to the everlasting kingdom that will crush worldly empires (Daniel 2:44). Arioch thus inadvertently advances prophetic revelation concerning Christ’s reign. Summary Arioch serves Scripture as both antagonist and agent. As king of Ellasar, he exemplifies the transient might of pagan coalitions opposing God’s chosen, while his defeat underscores divine fidelity to Abraham. As Nebuchadnezzar’s captain, he embodies the executory power of empire, yet unwittingly becomes a conduit for the manifestation of God’s wisdom through Daniel. Together, these appearances of Arioch highlight the recurring biblical assurance that “the Most High is sovereign over the kingdoms of men” (Daniel 4:17), emboldening believers to trust that every Arioch—ancient or modern—stands ultimately under God’s overruling hand. Forms and Transliterations אַרְי֔וֹךְ אַרְי֖וֹךְ אַרְיוֹךְ֙ אריוך וְאַרְי֖וֹךְ ואריוך לְאַרְי֕וֹךְ לְאַרְיוֹךְ֙ לאריוך ’ar·yō·wḵ ’aryōwḵ arYoch lə’aryōwḵ lə·’ar·yō·wḵ learYoch vearYoch wə’aryōwḵ wə·’ar·yō·wḵLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 14:1 HEB: מֶֽלֶךְ־ שִׁנְעָ֔ר אַרְי֖וֹךְ מֶ֣לֶךְ אֶלָּסָ֑ר NAS: of Shinar, Arioch king KJV: of Shinar, Arioch king INT: king of Shinar Arioch king of Ellasar Genesis 14:9 Daniel 2:14 Daniel 2:15 Daniel 2:15 Daniel 2:24 Daniel 2:25 7 Occurrences |
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