Topical Encyclopedia Arioch is a biblical figure mentioned in the Old Testament, appearing in two distinct contexts. The name Arioch is believed to be of Akkadian origin, meaning "servant of the moon god," which reflects the cultural and religious influences of the regions where these individuals were situated.1. Arioch, King of Ellasar: Arioch is first introduced in the Book of Genesis as a king during the time of Abraham. He is one of the four kings allied with Chedorlaomer, king of Elam, who waged war against the five kings of the cities of the plain, including Sodom and Gomorrah. This coalition of kings is described in Genesis 14:1: "In those days Amraphel king of Shinar, Arioch king of Ellasar, Chedorlaomer king of Elam, and Tidal king of Goiim went to war." Arioch's role in this narrative is part of a larger geopolitical conflict that ultimately leads to the capture of Lot, Abraham's nephew, and the subsequent rescue mission led by Abraham. The historical and geographical context of Ellasar is not definitively known, but it is often associated with regions in Mesopotamia. 2. Arioch, Captain of the King's Guard: The second mention of Arioch is found in the Book of Daniel, where he serves as the captain of the guard under King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. In Daniel 2, Nebuchadnezzar has a troubling dream and demands that his wise men not only interpret the dream but also recount it without being told its content. When the wise men fail to meet this demand, the king orders their execution. Arioch is tasked with carrying out this decree. Daniel 2:14-15 states: "When Arioch, the commander of the king’s guard, had gone out to put to death the wise men of Babylon, Daniel spoke to him with wisdom and tact. He asked Arioch, the king’s officer, 'Why is the decree from the king so harsh?' Then Arioch explained the matter to Daniel." Daniel's intervention leads to a stay of execution as he seeks time to interpret the dream, ultimately revealing God's wisdom and power. Arioch's role is pivotal in facilitating Daniel's audience with the king, as seen in Daniel 2:25: "Arioch took Daniel to the king at once and said, 'I have found a man among the exiles from Judah who can tell the king what his dream means.'" In both instances, Arioch is depicted as a figure of authority and action, involved in significant events that demonstrate God's sovereignty and the unfolding of His divine plan. The accounts of Arioch in Genesis and Daniel highlight the interplay between divine providence and human agency, as well as the broader historical and spiritual narratives within the biblical text. Concordance Ar'ioch (2 Occurrences)Genesis 14:1 Genesis 14:9 Thesaurus Ar'ioch (2 Occurrences)Ar'ioch. Arioch, Ar'ioch. Ar'i-och . Multi-Version Concordance Ar'ioch (2 Occurrences). Genesis 14:1 It happened in the days of ... /a/ar'ioch.htm - 6k Arioch (6 Occurrences) Ar'i-och (4 Occurrences) Resources Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |
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