Different cities were known by this name. It is thought that the specific Aroer mentioned in this verse was situated north of the Arnon River in an area which today forms part of Jordan. Historically, the city was sometimes in Israelite hands, and other times it formed part of the Moabite territory.
2 The cities of Aroer are deserted; they will be for flocks, which will lie down, and none will make them afraid.