Amok
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Etymology and Meaning:
The name "Amok" is of Hebrew origin, and its meaning is often associated with "deep" or "profound." The etymology reflects a sense of depth, which may metaphorically relate to the character or role of the individual bearing this name in the biblical narrative.

Biblical References:
Amok is mentioned in the context of the post-exilic period of Israel's history, specifically in the genealogical records of the priests. The primary reference to Amok is found in the Book of Nehemiah.

1. Nehemiah 12:7 : "Sallu, Amok, Hilkiah, and Jedaiah. These were the leaders of the priests and their associates in the days of Jeshua."
In this passage, Amok is listed among the heads of the priestly families who returned to Jerusalem with Zerubbabel and Jeshua. This return marks a significant period of restoration for the Jewish people following their Babylonian exile.

2. Nehemiah 12:20 : "of Sallu, Kallai; of Amok, Eber;"
Here, Amok is again mentioned in the genealogical record, indicating the continuation of his priestly line through Eber. This highlights the importance of maintaining the priestly lineage and the role of the priesthood in the reestablishment of worship and religious practices in Jerusalem.

Historical and Religious Context:
The mention of Amok in the Book of Nehemiah places him in the era of the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls and the reconstitution of the Jewish community after the Babylonian exile. This period was marked by a renewed emphasis on the Law of Moses, the restoration of temple worship, and the reestablishment of religious and social order under the leadership of figures like Nehemiah and Ezra.

The priests, including those from the line of Amok, played a crucial role in this restoration. They were responsible for teaching the Law, leading worship, and ensuring the community's adherence to the covenant with God. The genealogical records, such as those in which Amok is mentioned, served to legitimize the priestly authority and continuity from the pre-exilic period.

Theological Significance:
The inclusion of Amok in the priestly genealogies underscores the importance of heritage and continuity in the biblical narrative. It reflects the biblical theme of God's faithfulness in preserving His people and their leaders through challenging times. The priests' role in guiding the spiritual life of the community is a testament to the enduring covenant relationship between God and Israel.

Amok's mention, though brief, is part of a larger tapestry that illustrates the restoration of Israel's religious identity and the centrality of worship in the life of the nation. The priestly lineage, including Amok's, is a reminder of the divine order established for the worship and service of God, which is a recurring theme throughout the Scriptures.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Amok

a valley; a depth

Smith's Bible Dictionary
Amok

a priest who returned with Zerubbabel. (Nehemiah 12:7,20) (B.C. 536.)

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
AMOK

a'-mok (`amoq, "deep"): A chief priest who came to Jerusalem with Zerubbabel (Nehemiah 12:7) and the forefather of Eber, who was priest in the days of Joiakim (Nehemiah 12:20).

Strong's Hebrew
5987. Amoq -- "deep," an Israelite priest
... Amoq. 5988 . "deep," an Israelite priest. Transliteration: Amoq Phonetic Spelling:
(aw-moke') Short Definition: Amok. ... priest NASB Word Usage Amok (2). Amok. ...
/hebrew/5987.htm - 6k
Library

Modern Library of the World's Best Books
... 217 WRIGHT, RICHARD Native Son 221 YEATS, WB Irish Fairy and Folk Tales 44 YOUNG,
GF The Medici 179 ZOLA, EMILE Nana 142 ZWEIG, STEFAN Amok (In Collected ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/renan/the life of jesus/modern library of the worlds.htm

The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire
History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 8. <. ...
/.../chapter iiithe medes and the.htm

Thesaurus
Amok (2 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia AMOK. ... Multi-Version Concordance Amok (2
Occurrences). Nehemiah 12:7 Sallu, Amok, Hilkiah, Jedaiah. ...
/a/amok.htm - 7k

Amok's (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Amok's (1 Occurrence). Nehemiah
12:20 of Sallai, Kallai; of Amok, Eber; (See NIV). ...
/a/amok's.htm - 6k

Eber (16 Occurrences)
... (4.) One of the heads of the familes of Benjamites in Jerusalem (22). (5.) The head
of the priestly family of Amok in the time of Zerubbabel (Nehemiah 12:20). ...
/e/eber.htm - 12k

Kal'lai (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Kal'lai (1 Occurrence). Nehemiah 12:20 of Sallai, Kallai;
of Amok, Eber; (See RSV). Kallai, Kal'lai. Kamai . Reference Bible.
/k/kal'lai.htm - 6k

Kallai (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Kallai (1 Occurrence). Nehemiah 12:20 of Sallai, Kallai;
of Amok, Eber; (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV). ...
/k/kallai.htm - 7k

Jedaiah (13 Occurrences)
... Nehemiah 12:6 Shemaiah, and Joiarib, Jedaiah. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS
YLT NAS NIV). Nehemiah 12:7 Sallu, Amok, Hilkiah, Jedaiah. ...
/j/jedaiah.htm - 11k

Jedai'ah (13 Occurrences)
... Jachin, (See RSV). Nehemiah 12:6 Shemaiah, and Joiarib, Jedaiah; (See RSV).
Nehemiah 12:7 Sallu, Amok, Hilkiah, Jedaiah. These were the ...
/j/jedai'ah.htm - 9k

Amomum (1 Occurrence)

/a/amomum.htm - 6k

Associates (26 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Nehemiah 12:7 Sallu, Amok, Hilkiah, Jedaiah. These were the chiefs of
the priests and of their brothers in the days of Jeshua. (See NIV). ...
/a/associates.htm - 14k

Amnon's (5 Occurrences)

/a/amnon's.htm - 7k

Resources
What does the Bible say about compulsive hoarding? | GotQuestions.org

Amok: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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