Joshua 13:9

Aroer . Three, or even four, cities of this name were known, and have been identified by modern travellers under names somewhat similar.

1 . Aroer upon Aruon, on the north bank of that river, at the extreme south of the territory of Reuben (see Deuteronomy 2:36 ; Deuteronomy 3:12 ; Deuteronomy 4:48 ; Joshua 12:2 ; Joshua 13:9 , Joshua 13:16 ; and probably Jeremiah 48:19 ).

2 . Aroer in Gad ( Joshua 13:25 ), described there as "before," i.e; on the way to "Rabbah." It was no doubt some short distance to the westward of this chief city of the Ammonites (see also Numbers 32:34 , where the Gadites are said to have built it). These two are probably the "cities of Aroer" referred to in Isaiah 17:2 (but see next note but one, where also 2 Samuel 24:5 will be discussed).

3 . A city in Judah ( 1 Samuel 30:28 ).

To one of these cities probably belonged Shammah or Shammoth, the Hararite or Harorite ( 2 Samuel 23:11 ; he is called Harodite in 2 Samuel 23:25 , and 1 Chronicles 11:27 ). The river Arnon (see note on Joshua 12:2 ). The city that is in the midst of the river. This city (or perhaps cities) has received but little attention from commentators, probably by reason of its bearing no name. Those who have tried to identify it have failed In Deuteronomy 2:36 , in this passage, and in 2 Samuel 24:5 , it is mentioned in connection with Aroer. In Joshua 7:2 , instead of "the city that is in the midst of the river," we find simply "the middle ( תוֹךְ ) of the river." But as 2 Samuel 24:5 stands in our version, the city referred to stood in the middle of the river of Gad. This would suggest the idea that the old derivation of Aroer by Wells and others from the word עִיר (city) doubled, with the signification of the double city, is nearer the mark than that of wasteness, or desolateness, or nakedness, as of a region bare of trees, which has found favour of late, and it is not without support in Hebrew forms. A city, moreover, in the midst of or "on the brink of" a winter torrent would be less likely to be waste or desolate than in other situations. But we are not yet at the end of our difficulties. The word Nahal, which comes before Gad in the passage of which we are now speaking, has the article. Thus the translation, "river of Gad" cannot be maintained. And besides, the enumeration of the people must have begun at the Arnon, or southern border of Israel beyond Jordan. It is possible that the text may be corrupt here, as it is in other parts of 2 Samuel, and possibly the meaning may be that the officers pitched in Aroer, passed through Reuben, and having come within the confines of Gad arrived at Jazer. This again is rendered doubtful by the close connection of Aroer and Jazer in Joshua 13:25 . It is of course, therefore, possible that the reference in 2 Samuel 24:1-25 . is to the Jabbok, not the Arnon ravine. A question, of such intricacy can only be Settled, if settled at all, by an investigation on. the spot. The plain. The word here is מִישׁוֹר . This derived from the root יָשָׁר signifies level ground, and is applied to the region north of Moab, especially that part of it which belonged to Reuben. Flat, and almost unbroken, even by trees, it was particularly adapted for grazing land (see also note above, and on 2 Samuel 24:4 ). Medeba . This is mentioned in Scripture, together with Dibon, as here in Numbers 21:30 ; Isaiah 15:2 . It was on the level ground before mentioned (see Gesenius, s.v. מִישׁוֹר ). Dibon (see Jeremiah 48:18 , Jeremiah 48:22 , called Dimon in Isaiah 15:9 ; but Dibon in Isaiah 15:2 ; see also Numbers 33:45 , Numbers 33:46 ). It was one of the cities built by the children of Gad ( Numbers 32:34 ). It is now called Dhiban, and is a short distance north of the Arnon. The Moabite stone, found at Dibon in 1868, mentions the occupation of Medeba by Omri, and implies that Dibon, the principal city in those parts, was also subject to him, but recovered finally by Mesha.