Lexical Definition

‎אֲרְיוֹךְ‎ ʼĂryôwk (ar-yoke') Arioch ^N:N-M-P
of foreign origin

Arioch.

• § Arioch = "lion-like"
• Arjok, the name of two Babylonians

1) the ancient king of Ellasar, ally of Chedorlaomer
2) the chief of the executioners for Nebuchadnezzar

Extended Information

• A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.14.1

Brown-Driver-Briggs

‎אַרְיוֺךְ‎ proper name, masculine king of Ellasar Gen 14:1; Gen 14:9, 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 Dr^{Comm. Gn. 156 ff.}; Zim^{KAT 3. 367} thinks identification very dubious.

Brown-Driver-Briggs References

Profile

Male • Mesopotamian king • King of Ellasar, ally of Chedorlaomer

King living at the time of the Patriarchs

Arioch, king of Ellasar, was one of the four kings who joined forces with Chedorlaomer in the battle against the five kings of the plain.

• A king in Mesopotamia living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.14.1;
• only referred to as Arioch אֲרְיוֹךְ.

Arioch is mentioned in Genesis 14 as the king of Ellasar, one of the four kings who allied with Chedorlaomer, king of Elam, in a battle against five kings in the region of Sodom and Gomorrah. The other kings allied with Chedorlaomer were Amraphel king of Shinar and Tidal king of Goiim.

The biblical account states that these four kings had previously subjugated the five kings of the plain (Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboiim, and Bela) for twelve years. In the thirteenth year, the five kings rebelled against Chedorlaomer's rule. As a result, Chedorlaomer and his allies, including Arioch, went to war against the rebellious kings.

Arioch's kingdom, Ellasar, is not definitively identified but is believed to be located in the region of Mesopotamia. His participation in this battle alongside Chedorlaomer suggests that he was a powerful ruler and had a significant military force at his disposal.

The four kings, led by Chedorlaomer, defeated the five kings and captured Lot, Abraham's nephew, along with his possessions. Upon hearing of Lot's capture, Abraham mobilized his trained men and pursued the victorious kings. Abraham successfully defeated Chedorlaomer and his allies, including Arioch, and rescued Lot and his belongings.

Apart from this event, no further information is provided about Arioch or his kingdom in the biblical text. His mention serves to provide historical context for the political and military dynamics of the ancient Near East during the time of Abraham.

All entries for Arioch: אֲרְיוֹךְ