Topical Encyclopedia The Amorites were an ancient Semitic people frequently mentioned in the Old Testament. They are one of the prominent groups inhabiting Canaan before the arrival of the Israelites. The name "Amorite" is often used in the Bible to refer to the inhabitants of the hill country of Canaan, and at times, it is used more broadly to describe the pre-Israelite population of the land.Origins and Historical Context The Amorites are believed to have originated from the region of Mesopotamia, migrating westward into the land of Canaan. They are first mentioned in the Bible in Genesis 10:16 as descendants of Canaan, the son of Ham. Historically, the Amorites established several city-states and kingdoms throughout the Near East, including notable centers in Mari and Babylon. Biblical References The Amorites are frequently mentioned in the context of the Israelite conquest of Canaan. In Genesis 15:16, God tells Abram that his descendants will return to the land of Canaan in the fourth generation, "for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete." This indicates that the Amorites were known for their wickedness, which eventually led to their judgment and displacement by the Israelites. In the book of Numbers, the Amorites are depicted as formidable opponents. Numbers 21:21-25 recounts the Israelites' encounter with Sihon, king of the Amorites, who refused them passage through his territory. The Israelites defeated Sihon and took possession of his land, which stretched from the Arnon to the Jabbok. Deuteronomy 1:7 describes the Amorites as inhabiting the hill country, and Deuteronomy 7:1 lists them among the seven nations greater and mightier than Israel that God would drive out before the Israelites. The Amorites are also mentioned in Joshua 10, where five Amorite kings form an alliance against Gibeon, which had made peace with Israel. Joshua's forces, with divine intervention, defeat the Amorite coalition. Cultural and Religious Practices The Amorites, like other Canaanite peoples, practiced polytheism and were known for their idolatrous worship. Their religious practices included the worship of deities such as Baal and Ashtoreth, which were characterized by rituals that the Israelites were expressly forbidden to adopt. The moral and religious corruption of the Amorites is highlighted as a reason for their eventual displacement by the Israelites. Legacy and Influence The Amorites played a significant role in the history of the ancient Near East. Their influence extended beyond Canaan, as they were instrumental in the rise of the Babylonian Empire under Hammurabi, who was of Amorite descent. Despite their eventual decline, the Amorites left a lasting impact on the region's culture and history. In the biblical narrative, the Amorites serve as a symbol of the pagan nations that opposed God's people and purposes. Their account is a testament to the fulfillment of God's promises to the patriarchs and the establishment of Israel in the Promised Land. ATS Bible Dictionary AmoritesA people descended from Emer, the fourth son of Canaan, Genesis 10:16. They first peopled the mountains west of the Dead sea, near Hebron; but afterwards extended their limits, and took possession of the finest provinces of Moab and Ammon, on the east between the brooks Jabbok and Arnon, Numbers 13:29 21:21-31 Joshua 5:1 Jud 11:13. Moses took this country from their king, Sihon. The lands which the Amorites possessed on this side Jordan were given to the tribe of Judah, and those beyond the Jordan to the tribes of Reuben and Gad. The name Amorite is often taken in Scripture for Canaanite in general, Genesis 15:16 Am 2:9. See CANAANITES. By the expression, "Thy father was an Amorite and thy mother a Hittite." Ezekiel 16:3, God reminds the Jews that they were naturally no more worthy of divine favor than the worst of the heathen Canaanites. Easton's Bible Dictionary Highlanders, or hillmen, the name given to the descendants of one of the sons of Canaan (Genesis 14:7), called Amurra or Amurri in the Assyrian and Egyptian inscriptions. On the early Babylonian monuments all Syria, including Palestine, is known as "the land of the Amorites." The southern slopes of the mountains of Judea are called the "mount of the Amorites" (Deuteronomy 1:7, 19, 20). They seem to have originally occupied the land stretching from the heights west of the Dead Sea (Genesis 14:7) to Hebron (13. Comp. 13:8; Deuteronomy 3:8; 4:46-48), embracing "all Gilead and all Bashan" (Deuteronomy 3:10), with the Jordan valley on the east of the river (4:49), the land of the "two kings of the Amorites," Sihon and Og (Deuteronomy 31:4; Joshua 2:10; 9:10). The five kings of the Amorites were defeated with great slaughter by Joshua (10:10). They were again defeated at the waters of Merom by Joshua, who smote them till there were none remaining (Joshua 11:8). It is mentioned as a surprising circumstance that in the days of Samuel there was peace between them and the Israelites (1 Samuel 7:14). The discrepancy supposed to exist between Deuteronomy 1:44 and Numbers 14:45 is explained by the circumstance that the terms "Amorites" and "Amalekites" are used synonymously for the "Canaanites." In the same way we explain the fact that the "Hivites" of Genesis 34:2 are the "Amorites" of Genesis 48:22. Comp. Joshua 10:6; 11:19 with 2 Samuel 21:2; also Numbers 14:45 with Deuteronomy 1:44. The Amorites were warlike mountaineers. They are represented on the Egyptian monuments with fair skins, light hair, blue eyes, aquiline noses, and pointed beards. They are supposed to have been men of great stature; their king, Og, is described by Moses as the last "of the remnant of the giants" (Deuteronomy 3:11). Both Sihon and Og were independent kings. Only one word of the Amorite language survives, "Shenir," the name they gave to Mount Hermon (Deuteronomy 3:9). International Standard Bible Encyclopedia AMORITESam'-o-rits; Amorites ('emori, always in the singular like the Babylonian Amurru from which it is taken; Amorraioi): MOUNT OF THE AMORITES ("Hill-country of the Amorites" (Deuteronomy 1:7, 20, 24; compare Numbers 13:29 Joshua 10:6, etc.)): The region intended is that afterward known as the hill country of Judah and Ephraim, but sometimes "Amorites" is used as a general designation for all the inhabitants of Canaan (Genesis 15:16 Joshua 24:8, 18, etc.). Strong's Hebrew 2776. Cheres -- a mountain East of the Jordan, also dwelling place ...... a mountain East of the Jordan, also dwelling place of the Amorites. Transliteration: Cheres Phonetic Spelling: (kheh'-res) Short Definition: Heres. ... /hebrew/2776.htm - 6k 5511. Sichon -- a king of the Amorites 567. Emori -- perhaps "mountain dwellers," a Canaanite tribe Library How Moses Conquered Sihon and Og Kings of the Amorites, and ... The Measure of Sin. The Mountainous Country of Judea. From Kadesh to the Death of Moses. Achan's Sin, Israel's Defeat The Nations of the North-East Joshua's Conquest. Chapter xxxiv Of the Meaning of the Sacrifice Abraham was Commanded to Offer ... Kadesh. Rekam, and that Double. Inquiry is Made, Whether the ... Thesaurus Amorites (82 Occurrences)... On the early Babylonian monuments all Syria, including Palestine, is known as "the land of the Amorites." The southern slopes of the mountains of Judea are ... /a/amorites.htm - 50k Perizzites (23 Occurrences) Hivites (24 Occurrences) Jebusites (29 Occurrences) Sihon (34 Occurrences) Reigned (206 Occurrences) Og (22 Occurrences) Arnon (23 Occurrences) Girgashites (7 Occurrences) Heshbon (37 Occurrences) Resources Who were the Amorites? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean that “the sin of the Amorites has not yet reached its full measure” (Genesis 15:16)? | GotQuestions.org Who was Sihon, king of the Amorites? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Amorites (82 Occurrences)Genesis 10:16 Genesis 14:7 Genesis 15:16 Genesis 15:21 Genesis 48:22 Exodus 3:8 Exodus 3:17 Exodus 13:5 Exodus 23:23 Exodus 33:2 Exodus 34:11 Numbers 13:29 Numbers 21:13 Numbers 21:21 Numbers 21:25 Numbers 21:26 Numbers 21:29 Numbers 21:31 Numbers 21:32 Numbers 21:34 Numbers 22:2 Numbers 32:33 Numbers 32:39 Deuteronomy 1:4 Deuteronomy 1:7 Deuteronomy 1:19 Deuteronomy 1:20 Deuteronomy 1:27 Deuteronomy 1:44 Deuteronomy 3:2 Deuteronomy 3:8 Deuteronomy 3:9 Deuteronomy 4:46 Deuteronomy 4:47 Deuteronomy 7:1 Deuteronomy 20:17 Deuteronomy 31:4 Joshua 2:10 Joshua 3:10 Joshua 5:1 Joshua 7:7 Joshua 9:1 Joshua 9:10 Joshua 10:5 Joshua 10:6 Joshua 10:12 Joshua 11:3 Joshua 12:2 Joshua 12:8 Joshua 13:4 Joshua 13:10 Joshua 13:21 Joshua 24:8 Joshua 24:11 Joshua 24:12 Joshua 24:15 Joshua 24:18 Judges 1:34 Judges 1:35 Judges 1:36 Judges 3:5 Judges 6:10 Judges 10:8 Judges 10:11 Judges 11:19 Judges 11:21 Judges 11:22 Judges 11:23 1 Samuel 7:14 2 Samuel 21:2 1 Kings 4:19 1 Kings 9:20 1 Kings 21:26 2 Kings 21:11 1 Chronicles 1:14 2 Chronicles 8:7 Ezra 9:1 Nehemiah 9:8 Psalms 135:11 Psalms 136:19 Isaiah 17:9 Amos 2:10 Subtopics Amorites: Allotted to Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh Amorites: Descendants of Canaan Amorites: Given to Descendants of Abraham Amorites: Intermarry With Jews Amorites: Judgments Denounced Against Amorites: Struck Down by Chedorlaomer and Rescued by Abraham The Amorites of Gigantic Strength and Stature The Amorites: Acquired an Extensive Territory from Moab East of Jordan The Amorites: Ahab Followed the Abominations of The Amorites: Brought Into Bondage by Solomon The Amorites: Character of Idolatrous The Amorites: Character of Profane and Wicked The Amorites: Defeated by Chedorlaomer The Amorites: Deprived of Their Eastern Territory by Israel The Amorites: Descent From, Illustrative of Man's Natural State The Amorites: Doomed to Utter Destruction The Amorites: Forbearance of God Towards The Amorites: Governed by Many Independent Kings The Amorites: had Many and Strong Cities The Amorites: had Peace With Israel in the Days of Samuel The Amorites: Jacob Took a Portion From The Amorites: Joined Abraham Against the Kings The Amorites: Kings of, Degraded and Slain The Amorites: Kings of, Great and Powerful The Amorites: Land of, Given to Reubenites The Amorites: Manasseh Exceeded Abominations of The Amorites: Miraculous Overthrow of The Amorites: One of the Seven Nations of Canaan The Amorites: Originally Inhabited a Mountain District in the South The Amorites: Refused a Passage to Israel The Amorites: The Gibeonites a Tribe of, Deceived Israel Into a League The Amorites: The Israelites Unable to Expel, But Extracted Tribute From The Amorites: The Jews After the Captivity Condemned for Intermarrying With The Amorites: Western Kings of, Confederated Against Israel Related Terms |