What is…
Aroer

Meaning: ruins

This is the name of 3 biblical towns/cities.

  1. Aroer, a town on the north bank of the Arnon River

    …Aroer, which is on the edge of the valley of Arnon… —Deuteronomy 4:48 excerpt

    …Aroer, which is by the valley of the Arnon… —2 Kings 10:33 excerpt

    Sihon king of the Amorites ruled from Aroer, but lived in Heshbon (Joshua 12:2).

    Aroer had related villages in its area (Judges 11:26).

    In modern times, Aroer came to be called Arair. It is located about 13 miles (32 km) west of the Dead Sea.

  2. Aroer, one of the towns built up by the Tribe of Gad

    And the sons of Gad built Dibon and Ataroth and Aroer —Numbers 32:34

    “before Rabbah” (Joshua 13:25), the Ammonite capital

    It was famous in the history of Jephthah (Judges 11:33) and of David (2 Samuel 24:5). (Compare Isaiah 17:2; 2 Kings 15:29.)

  3. Aroer, a city in the south of Judah, 12 miles southeast of Beersheba, to which David sent presents after recovering spoils from the Amalekites at Ziklag (1 Samuel 30:26, 28)

    It was the native city of two of David’s warriors (1 Chronicles 11:44).

    In modern times it was called Ar'arah.

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Article Version: June 29, 2024