Eri-Aku
PeopleWhat is the meaning of Eri-Aku in the Bible?
Eri-Aku was a king of Larsa, identified with the biblical Arioch, who ruled during a period when Elamite influence was prominent in Sumer and Akkad. His existence is attested by several inscriptions recording dedications to various deities.
SIGNIFICANCE
Identifying Eri-Aku with the biblical Arioch provides historical context for the narrative in Genesis 14, linking the account of the four kings' war to the political realities of the early second millennium BCE Mesopotamia.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Genealogy & Community Insight: When reading, notice how the lineage and actions of Eri-Aku reveal God's preservation of family clans and community records across generations.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Eri-Aku in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Eri-Aku clarify?
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.
How to Cite This Entry
"Eri-Aku." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/eriaku/