1 Three cities are known by this name in the OT: (1) an Aroer located near the Arnon, (2) an Aroer in Ammon, and (3) an Aroer of Judah. (See 792–93 עֲרֹעֵר, and II עֲרוֹעֵר.) There is no mention of an Aroer in Syrian territory. For this reason some want to emend the text here to עֲזֻבוֹת עָרַיהָ עֲדֵי עַד (’azuvot ’arayha ’adey ’ad, “her cities are permanently abandoned”). However, Aroer near the Arnon was taken by Israel and later conquered by the Syrians. (See Josh 12:2; 13:9, 16; Judg 11:26; 2 Kgs 10:33). This oracle pertains to Israel as well as Syria (note v. 3), so it is possible that this is a reference to Israelite and/or Syrian losses in Transjordan.
2 Heb “and they lie down and there is no one scaring [them].”
3 Heb “and kingship from Damascus”; cf. “And sovereignty from Damascus.”

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

An oracle concerning Damascus.

Behold, Damascus will cease to be a city

and will become a heap of ruins.

The cities of Aroer are deserted;

they will be for flocks,

which will lie down, and none will make them afraid.

The fortress will disappear from Ephraim,

and the kingdom from Damascus;

and the remnant of Syria will be

like the glory of the children of Israel,

declares the Lord of hosts.

NIVNew International Version (2011)

A prophecy against Damascus:

“See, Damascus will no longer be a city

but will become a heap of ruins.

The cities of Aroer will be deserted

and left to flocks, which will lie down,

with no one to make them afraid.

The fortified city will disappear from Ephraim,

and royal power from Damascus;

the remnant of Aram will be

like the glory of the Israelites,”

declares the Lord Almighty.

CSBChristian Standard Bible

A pronouncement concerning Damascus:

Look, Damascus is no longer a city.

It has become a ruined heap.

The cities of Aroer are abandoned;

they will be places for flocks.

They will lie down without fear.

The fortress disappears from Ephraim,

and a kingdom from Damascus.

The remnant of Aram will be

like the splendor of the Israelites.

This is the declaration of the Lord of Armies.

NLTNew Living Translation

This message came to me concerning Damascus:

“Look, the city of Damascus will disappear!

It will become a heap of ruins.

The towns of Aroer will be deserted.

Flocks will graze in the streets and lie down undisturbed,

with no one to chase them away.

The fortified towns of Israel will also be destroyed,

and the royal power of Damascus will end.

All that remains of Syria

will share the fate of Israel’s departed glory,”

declares the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

An oracle of Damascus:

“Look! Damascus will cease being a city

and will become a heap of ruins.

The cities of Aroer will be deserted;

they will be for the flocks,

and they will lie down and no one will frighten them.

And the fortified city will disappear from Ephraim,

and the kingdom from Damascus;

and the remnant of Aram will be like the glory of the children of Israel,”

declares Yahweh of hosts.

KJV 1900King James Version

The burden of Damascus.

Behold, Damascus is taken away from being a city,

And it shall be a ruinous heap.

The cities of Aroer are forsaken:

They shall be for flocks,

Which shall lie down, and none shall make them afraid.

The fortress also shall cease from Ephraim,

And the kingdom from Damascus, and the remnant of Syria:

They shall be as the glory of the children of Israel, saith the Lord of hosts.

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