AROER. – Three biblical localities.
I. A city on the southern border of the Amorrite kingdom of Sihon, which was taken by the Israelites (Deut. 2:36; Josh. 12:2). Rebuilt by the Gadites (Num. 32:34), it was assigned to the tribe of Reuben (Josh. 13:9, 16; etc.). Mesha, king of Moab, took it from the Israelites and fortified it (Moabite Stone, line 26). It had been situated on the banks of the Arnon and is identified with Tell-Azri, which preserves traces of ancient walls.
2. A border city of the tribe of Gad, opposite Rabbah (Josh. 13:16, 25; Judg. 11:26, 33) of the Ammonites, the present-day 'Ammān. For its identification, Abel proposes a site to the northwest of 'Ammān, or Hirtbet es-Safrah, 7 km. to the east. The Aroer of II Sam. 24:5 is also discussed.
3. A city of the tribe of Judah. Located not far from Beersheba, it is identified with 'Ar'arah in the eponymous wadi. David sent it gifts after his victory over the Amalekites (I Sam. 30:28).