Dictionaries :: Aroer

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Aroer:

ruins. (1.) A town on the north bank of the Arnon (Deu 4:48; Jdg 11:26; 2Ki 10:33), the southern boundary of the kingdom of Sihon (Jos 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" (Jos 13:25), the Ammonite capital. It was famous in the history of Jephthah (Jdg 11:33) and of David (2Sa 24:5). (Isa 17:2; 2Ki 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 (1Sa 30:26,28). It was the native city of two of David's warriors (1Ch 11:44). It is now called Ar'arah.

Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary

Aroer:

heath; tamarisk

International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia

Aroer:

a-ro'-er (‘aro'er; Aroer):

(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.

(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.

(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.

Written by W. Ewing

Nave's Topical Bible

Aroer: 1. A City of the Amorites

In the valley of the river Arnon,

Deu 4:48.

Conquered by Israelites,

Deu 2:36; 3:12; Jdg 11:26.

Taken by Hazael,

2Ki 10:33.

Aroer: 2. A City Built

Or, probably more correctly, rebuilt, by the Gadites,

Num 32:34; Jos 13:25.

Jephthah smites the Ammonites at,

Jdg 11:33.

Aroer: 3. A City in Judah

1Sa 30:28.

The birthplace of two of David's heroes,

1Ch 11:44.

Smith's Bible Dictionary

Aroer:

(ruins).

(1.) A city on the torrent Arnon, the southern point of the territory of Sihon king of the Amorites, and afterwards of the tribe of Reuben (Numbers 32:34; Deuteronomy 2:36; 3:12; 4:48; Joshua 12:2; 13:9; 13:16; Judges 11:26; 2 Kings 10:33; 1 Chronicles 5:8) but later again in possession of Moab (Jeremiah 48:19). It is the modern 'Arâ'ir, upon the very edge of the precipitous north bank of the Wady Mojeb.

(2.) Aroer, "that is 'facing' Rahbah" (Rabbah of Ammon) a town built by and belonging to Gad (Numbers 32:34; Joshua 13:25; 2 Samuel 24:5). This is probably the place mentioned in Judges 11:33 which was shown in Jerome's time.

(3.) Aroer, in Isaiah 17:2, if a place at all, must be still farther north than either of the two already named.

(4.) A town in Judah, named only in 1 Samuel 30:28, perhaps Wady 'Ar'ârah, on the road from Petra to Gaza.