Where is Aroer in the Bible?
Aroer was a city located on the northern edge of the Arnon Valley, in what is now modern-day Jordan. Aroer appears in 13 verses across 8 books of the Bible.
The Bible uses the name Aroer for 2 different places. All 2 are below, each with its own passages.
Aroer in Deuteronomy
Aroer was a city located on the northern edge of the Arnon Valley, in what is now modern-day Jordan. It is mentioned several times in the Old Testament, often in the context of defining territorial boundaries and military campaigns. In Deu.2.36, Aroer is described as being on the edge of the Arnon Valley, marking the southern limit of the territory conquered by the Israelites from King Sihon of the Amorites. This area was later allotted to the tribe of Reuben (Deu.3.12; Joshua 13:9, 16). Aroer is also mentioned in the description of the extent of King Sihon's territory, which stretched from the Arnon to the Jabbok (Joshua 12:2). During the time of the judges, Jephthah reminded the Ammonites that Israel had possessed the land from Aroer to the Jabbok for three hundred years (Judges 11:26). In the reign of Jehu, king of Israel, the territory from Aroer was lost to Hazael, king of Aram (2Ki.10.33). The prophet Jeremiah also mentions Aroer in his prophecy concerning Moab, calling upon the inhabitants of Aroer to ask about the destruction that has come upon them (Jeremiah 48:19). Aroer's significance in the Bible lies in its strategic location along the Arnon Valley, serving as a boundary marker and a point of reference in territorial descriptions. Its frequent mention in the context of military campaigns and territorial allotments underscores its importance as a key city in the region.
Definition text: STEPBible · Tyndale House Cambridge. Licensed CC BY 4.0. Lightly edited for length and formatting.
Compiled by Protos: the verse list on this page. Where one name belongs to more than one person or place, each of them gets a separate entry.
Aroer in 2 Samuel
Aroer was a city located in the territory allotted to the tribe of Gad, east of the Jordan River. According to Numbers 32:34, the Gadites built Aroer, along with other cities in the region, after the conquest of the land under Moses' leadership. Aroer is mentioned in Joshua 13:25 as part of the description of Gad's territory, situated near the border with the Ammonites. The city is also noted in the account of Jephthah's victory over the Ammonites, where he is said to have struck them from Aroer to Minnith (Judges 11:33). During King David's reign, Aroer is mentioned in the context of the census he conducted, which began at Aroer and continued throughout the regions east of the Jordan (2Sa.24.5). The city was also the hometown of Shamgar, one of David's mighty men (1Ch.11.44). The prophet Isaiah mentions Aroer in his prophecy concerning Damascus, stating that the cities of Aroer will be forsaken (Isaiah 17:2). This suggests that Aroer, along with other cities in the region, would face judgment and desolation. Aroer's significance in the Bible lies in its association with the tribe of Gad and its location in the Transjordan region. The city's mention in various contexts, from the initial settlement of the land to the reigns of David and the prophetic messages, highlights its enduring presence throughout Israel's history.
5 verses: 2 Samuel 24:5, Isaiah 17:2, Judges 11:33, Joshua 13:25, Numbers 32:34
Definition text: STEPBible · Tyndale House Cambridge. Licensed CC BY 4.0. Lightly edited for length and formatting.
Where does Aroer appear in the Bible?
Aroer is referenced in 13 verses across 8 books. Every passage below is about this one, not just every verse the word turns up in.
- 2 Kings 10:33
- Deuteronomy 2:36
- Deuteronomy 3:12
- Deuteronomy 4:48
- Judges 11:26
- Jeremiah 48:19
- Joshua 13:9
- Joshua 13:16
Showing the first 8 of 13.
Open all 13 references in ProtosWhat else appears in these passages?
These turn up in the same passages as Aroer.
Common questions
How many people in the Bible are called Aroer?
Aroer refers to 2 different places in the Bible: Aroer in Deuteronomy; Aroer in 2 Samuel.
How many times does the Bible mention Aroer?
Aroer appears in 13 verses across 8 books, most often in Deuteronomy, which accounts for 3 of them.
Which books of the Bible mention Aroer?
Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, 2 Kings, Jeremiah, 2 Samuel, Isaiah, Numbers.
Where can I read every verse about Aroer?
This page lists 8 of them. Protos carries all 13, and opens this entry on the verse you are reading rather than in a separate tab.
