Lexical Summary harel: "Mountain of God" Original Word: הַרְאֵל Strong's Exhaustive Concordance altar From har and 'el; mount of God; figuratively, the altar of burnt-offering -- altar. Compare 'ariy'el. see HEBREW har see HEBREW 'el see HEBREW 'ariy'el NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originanother reading for ariel, q.v. Brown-Driver-Briggs הַרְאֵל Ezekiel 43:15 see אֲרִאֵיל below II. ארה. Topical Lexicon Meaning and Symbolism Harʾel combines the Hebrew words for “mountain” and “God,” evoking the idea of a raised, sacred elevation—an altar that functions as a miniature “mountain of the LORD.” In Ezekiel’s temple vision it designates the upper platform, or hearth, on which the sacrifices are consumed. As such, Harʾel represents the highest point of approach between worshiper and covenant God, where atonement is visibly enacted and divine fire meets the offered blood. Place in Ezekiel’s Vision (Ezekiel 40–48) The prophet, writing to exiles longing for restoration, is shown a future temple in exacting detail. Within that blueprint the altar forms the geometric and theological center, and its summit is named Harʾel. Its measurements (Ezekiel 43:13–17) reveal a four-step, tiered structure crowned by four horns, symbolizing strength, universality, and mercy (cf. Psalm 118:27). The designation Harʾel therefore underlines both altitude and holiness, portraying the sacrificial hearth as a sanctified “mountain” inside the sanctuary courts. Relationship to Other Altar Terms Harʾel is distinct from the more common mizbeach (“altar”) and from the poetic ariel (“lion of God”), though Ezekiel juxtaposes the latter with Harʾel to stress complementary imagery: the altar is simultaneously God’s mountain (Harʾel) and His consuming hearth (Ariel). Together the terms enrich the symbolism of sacrificial worship—strength, judgment, and secure access all converge in one place. Theological Themes 1. Holiness and Separation: By naming the hearth a “mountain of God,” the text hints at Sinai, where law and covenant originally descended. Harʾel pictures a micro-Sinai permanently located in the temple courts, reminding Israel that holy fire still burns for cleansing. Christological Foreshadowing The altar’s summit anticipates Christ, “our Passover lamb” (1 Corinthians 5:7), who was lifted up on a hill outside Jerusalem and became both priest and offering. Hebrews teaches, “We have an altar from which those who serve at the tabernacle have no right to eat” (Hebrews 13:10). The imagery of Harʾel therefore finds fulfillment at Calvary, where the true mountain-altar secured everlasting atonement. Ministry Applications • Centrality of Worship: Just as Harʾel occupies the center of Ezekiel’s sanctuary, corporate worship and regular remembrance of Christ’s sacrifice must remain central in church life (Acts 2:42). Related Concepts for Further Study Mizbeach (altar), Sinai typology, sacrificial horns, altar hearth (Ariel), millennial temple, priestly consecration rites, day of atonement, heavenly mount Zion (Hebrews 12:22). Links Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance ū·ḇā·hār — 2 Occ.ū·ḇə·har — 3 Occ. ū·ḇə·hā·rê — 1 Occ. ḇā·hār — 5 Occ. wə·hā·hār — 3 Occ. wə·har — 11 Occ. wə·he·hā·rîm — 1 Occ. bə·hōr — 4 Occ. hōr — 5 Occ. mê·hōr — 3 Occ. ba·hă·rōḡ — 2 Occ. ba·hă·rū·ḡîm — 1 Occ. bê·hā·rêḡ — 1 Occ. ’e·hĕ·rō·wḡ — 2 Occ. ha·hă·rū·ḡîm — 1 Occ. hal·hā·rə·ḡê·nî — 1 Occ. hā·raḡ — 7 Occ. hă·rā·ḡām — 1 Occ. hă·rā·ḡā·ṯə·hū — 1 Occ. hā·rā·ḡə·tā — 2 Occ. |