Bible Dictionary
Aroer
Aroer was the name of several places: a city north of the Arnon, a town in Gilead near Rabbah, and a city in southern Judah. These sites were associated with Israelite, Moabite, and Davidic history.
Definition
Aroer was the name of several places. One stood north of the Arnon, another was in Gilead before Rabbah, and a third lay in southern Judah. The places were connected with Amorite, Israelite, Moabite, Ammonite, and Davidic history.
Biblical Usage
Aroer north of the Arnon marked a southern boundary and later returned to Moab. The Gileadite Aroer lay near the boundary with Ammon. David sent gifts to the southern Aroer after recovering spoil from the Amalekites, and two of David’s warriors came from there.
Historical Background
The northern site is identified with Arair or Khirbet Arair near the Arnon. The southern site is associated with Ararah southeast of Beersheba. The Gileadite site has not been securely identified in the supplied material.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Ruins. (1.) A town on the north bank of the Arnon (Deut. 4:48; Judg. 11:26; 2 Kings 10:33), the southern boundary of the kingdom of Sihon (Josh. 12:2). It is now called Arair, 13 miles west of the Dead Sea. (2.) One of the towns built by the tribe of Gad (Num. 32:34) “before Rabbah” (Josh. 13:25), the Ammonite capital. It was famous in the history of Jephthah (Judg. 11:33) and of David (2 Sam. 24:5). (Comp. Isa. 17:2; 2 Kings 15:29.) (3.) A city in the south of Judah, 12 miles south-east of Beersheba, to which David sent presents after recovering the spoil from the Amalekites at Ziklag (1 Sam. 30:26, 28). It was the native city of two of David’s warriors (1 Chr. 11:44). It is now called Ar’arah.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
(ruins).
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>a-ro'-er (`aro'er; Aroer):</p><p>(1) A city of the Amorites which stood on the northern edge of the Arnon (De 2:36, etc.). Taken by Israel, it shared the vicissitudes of the country north of the river, and when last named (Jer 48:19) is again in the hands of Moab. It is one of the cities which Mesha claims to have built, i.e. fortified. It was within the territory allotted to Reuben, yet its building (fortification) is attributed to Gad (Nu 32:34). Thus far came the Syrian, Hazael, in his raid upon Israel (2Ki 10:33). The Roman road across the valley lay about an hour to the West of Khirbet `Ara`ir.</p><p>(2) A city in Gilead described as "before Rabbah," on the boundary between Gad and the Ammonites (Jos 13:25). No name resembling this has yet been recovered in the district indicated.</p><p>(3) A city in the territory of Judah named only in 1Sa 30:28. Probably however in Jos 15:22 we should read `ar`arah instead of `adh`adhah, which may be the same city, and may be identical with `Ar`ara, a site with cisterns and some remains of ancient buildings about 14 miles Southeast of Beersheba.</p><p>W. Ewing</p>