Aro'er
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Aro'er is a name that appears multiple times in the Bible, referring to different locations in the ancient Near East. These locations are significant in the historical and geographical context of the biblical narrative, particularly in relation to the tribes of Israel and their neighbors.

1. Aro'er on the Arnon: This Aro'er is perhaps the most frequently mentioned and is located on the northern edge of the Arnon Gorge, which served as a boundary between the territories of Moab and the Amorites. It was later allotted to the tribe of Reuben. In Deuteronomy 2:36, the conquest of this region is described: "From Aro'er on the rim of the Arnon Valley, and from the city in the valley, even to Gilead, there was not a city too high for us. The LORD our God gave us all of them." This Aro'er served as a strategic location due to its position on the border and its proximity to the King's Highway, a major trade route.

2. Aro'er in Gilead: Another Aro'er is located in the region of Gilead, east of the Jordan River. This city was part of the territory given to the tribe of Gad. In Joshua 13:25, the inheritance of the tribe of Gad is described: "Their territory included Jazer, all the towns of Gilead, and half the land of the Ammonites, as far as Aro'er, near Rabbah." This Aro'er was significant for its pastoral lands and its role in the defense of Israel's eastern frontier.

3. Aro'er in Judah: A third Aro'er is mentioned in the territory of Judah, located in the Negev region. This is referenced in 1 Samuel 30:28, where David sends spoils from his victory over the Amalekites to various towns, including "Aro'er, Siphmoth, and Eshtemoa." This Aro'er was part of the southernmost region of Judah, indicating the extent of David's influence and the interconnectedness of the Israelite tribes.

Historical and Archaeological Insights: The identification of these locations has been a subject of archaeological interest. The Aro'er on the Arnon is often associated with the modern site of Ara'ir in Jordan. Excavations and surveys in the region have provided insights into the settlement patterns and historical significance of these sites during the biblical period.

Theological Significance: Aro'er, in its various locations, represents the fulfillment of God's promises to the Israelites regarding the land. The cities of Aro'er serve as markers of Israel's territorial boundaries and God's provision and protection over His people. The repeated mention of Aro'er in the context of conquest and inheritance underscores the theme of divine faithfulness and the establishment of Israel in the Promised Land.

Biblical References:
· Deuteronomy 2:36
· Joshua 13:25
· 1 Samuel 30:28
· Judges 11:26 · Jephthah references Aro'er in his negotiations with the king of Ammon, highlighting its historical significance.

Aro'er, in its various mentions, provides a glimpse into the complex geopolitical landscape of the biblical world and the unfolding of God's redemptive history through the nation of Israel.
Strong's Hebrew
6177. Aroer -- three cities in Isr.
... Aroer. Or 'Aro'er {ar-o-ayr'}; or 'Ar'owr {ar-ore'}; the same as arow'er; nudity
of situation; Aroer, the name of three places in or near Palestine -- Aroer. ...
/hebrew/6177.htm - 6k
Thesaurus
Aro'er (15 Occurrences)
Aro'er. Aroer, Aro'er. Aroerite . Multi-Version Concordance Aro'er
(15 Occurrences). Numbers 32:34 And the children of Gad built ...
/a/aro'er.htm - 10k

Aroer (17 Occurrences)
... Standard Bible Encyclopedia. AROER. a-ro'-er (`aro'er; Aroer): (1) A city of the
Amorites which stood on the northern edge of the Arnon (Deuteronomy 2:36, etc.) ...
/a/aroer.htm - 14k

Aroerite (1 Occurrence)

/a/aroerite.htm - 7k

Keramim (1 Occurrence)
... Judges 11:33 And he smote them from Aro'er to the neighborhood of Minnith, twenty
cities, and as far as Abel-keramim, with a very great slaughter. ...
/k/keramim.htm - 6k

Neighborhood (7 Occurrences)
... (DBY RSV). Judges 11:33 And he smote them from Aro'er to the neighborhood of Minnith,
twenty cities, and as far as Abel-keramim, with a very great slaughter. ...
/n/neighborhood.htm - 8k

Banks (11 Occurrences)
... Judges 11:26 While Israel dwelt in Heshbon and its villages, and in Aro'er and its
villages, and in all the cities that are on the banks of the Arnon, three ...
/b/banks.htm - 10k

Abel-keramim (1 Occurrence)
... Judges 11:33 And he smote them from Aro'er to the neighborhood of Minnith, twenty
cities, and as far as Abel-keramim, with a very great slaughter. ...
/a/abel-keramim.htm - 7k

Ammonites (97 Occurrences)
... Judges 11:33 And he smote them from Aro'er to the neighborhood of Minnith, twenty
cities, and as far as Abel-keramim, with a very great slaughter. ...
/a/ammonites.htm - 43k

Villages (106 Occurrences)
... Judges 11:26 While Israel dwelt in Heshbon and its villages, and in Aro'er and its
villages, and in all the cities that are on the banks of the Arnon, three ...
/v/villages.htm - 38k

Resources
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Concordance
Aro'er (15 Occurrences)

Numbers 32:34
And the children of Gad built Dibon, and Ataroth, and Aroer;
(See RSV)

Deuteronomy 2:36
From Aroer, which is on the edge of the valley of Arnon, and from the city that is in the valley, even unto Gilead, there was not a city too high for us: the LORD our God delivered up all before us.
(See RSV)

Deuteronomy 3:12
And this land we took in possession at that time; from Aroer, which is by the valley of Arnon, and half the hill-country of Gilead, and the cities thereof, gave I unto the Reubenites and to the Gadites;
(See RSV)

Deuteronomy 4:48
from Aroer, which is on the edge of the valley of Arnon, even unto mount Sion--the same is Hermon--
(See RSV)

Joshua 12:2
Sihon king of the Amorites, who dwelt in Heshbon, and ruled from Aroer, which is on the edge of the valley of Arnon, and the middle of the valley, and half Gilead, even unto the river Jabbok, the border of the children of Ammon;
(See RSV)

Joshua 13:9
from Aroer, that is on the edge of the valley of Arnon, and the city that is in the middle of the valley, and all the table-land from Medeba unto Dibon;
(See RSV)

Joshua 13:16
And their border was from Aroer, that is on the edge of the valley of Arnon, and the city that is in the middle of the valley, and all the table-land by Medeba;
(See RSV)

Joshua 13:25
And their border was Jazer, and all the cities of Gilead, and half the land of the children of Ammon, unto Aroer that is before Rabbah;
(See RSV)

Judges 11:26
While Israel dwelt in Heshbon and its villages, and in Aro'er and its villages, and in all the cities that are on the banks of the Arnon, three hundred years, why did you not recover them within that time?
(DBY RSV)

Judges 11:33
And he smote them from Aro'er to the neighborhood of Minnith, twenty cities, and as far as Abel-keramim, with a very great slaughter. So the Ammonites were subdued before the people of Israel.
(DBY RSV)

1 Samuel 30:28
and to them that were in Aroer, and to them that were in Siphmoth, and to them that were in Eshtemoa;
(See RSV)

2 Samuel 24:5
And they passed over the Jordan, and pitched in Aroer, on the right side of the city that is in the middle of the valley of Gad, and unto Jazer;
(See RSV)

2 Kings 10:33
from the Jordan eastward, all the land of Gilead, the Gadites, and the Reubenites, and the Manassites, from Aroer, which is by the valley of Arnon, even Gilead and Bashan.
(See RSV)

1 Chronicles 5:8
and Bela the son of Azaz, the son of Shema, the son of Joel, who dwelt in Aroer, even unto Nebo and Baal-meon;
(See RSV)

Jeremiah 48:19
On the way stand, and watch, O inhabitant of Aroer, Ask the fugitive and escaped, Say, What hath happened?
(See RSV)

Subtopics

Aro'er

Related Terms

Aroer (17 Occurrences)

Aroerite (1 Occurrence)

Keramim (1 Occurrence)

Neighborhood (7 Occurrences)

Banks (11 Occurrences)

Abel-keramim (1 Occurrence)

Ammonites (97 Occurrences)

Villages (106 Occurrences)

Aroer
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