Lexical Summary Omri: Omri Original Word: עָמְרִי Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Omri From amar; heaping; Omri, an Israelite -- Omri. see HEBREW amar NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom an unused word Definition a king of Isr., also several other Isr. NASB Translation Omri (18). Brown-Driver-Briggs עָמְרִי18 proper name, masculine 1 Omri, king Israel (MI4,5,7 עמרי; in Assyrian –umri COTGloss); — 1 Kings 16:16 11t. 1 Kings 16; 2 Kings 8:26 2Chronicles 22:2; Micah 6:16, ᵐ5 (ζ)αμβρ(ε)ι. 2. a. name in Benjamin 1 Chronicles 7:8. b. in Judah 1 Chronicles 9:4. c. in Issachar 1 Chronicles 27:18. Topical Lexicon Principal Bearer of the NameOmri, commander of Israel’s army, became the sixth king of the northern kingdom after the death of Elah and the seven-day reign of Zimri (1 Kings 16:16–18). Scripture records that “all Israel made Omri … king … in the camp” (1 Kings 16:16). After a brief civil war against Tibni son of Ginath (1 Kings 16:21–22), Omri reigned twelve years (1 Kings 16:23). Historical Background and Rise to Power Omri’s ascent took place in the thirty-first year of Asa king of Judah (1 Kings 16:23). Initially ruling from Tirzah, he purchased the hill of Samaria from Shemer for two talents of silver and built a new capital city (1 Kings 16:24, information supplied in narrative immediately after the Strong’s listings). The strategic location gave military advantage and economic leverage on the principal trade routes, consolidating the kingdom after years of instability. Political and Military Achievements 1. Consolidation of Territory – The Chronicle of the Kings of Israel (1 Kings 16:27) suggests extensive campaigns and building projects. Extra-biblical records corroborate his strength: the Mesha Stele cites “Omri king of Israel” who “oppressed Moab many days,” and Assyrian annals call Israel “Bit-Humri” (“the house of Omri”) for over a century. Spiritual Appraisal “But Omri did evil in the sight of the LORD and acted more wickedly than all who were before him” (1 Kings 16:25). His reign intensified the idolatrous trajectory started by Jeroboam, laying the ideological groundwork that culminated in Ahab’s full-blown Baal worship. Omri is thus a benchmark for covenant violation; subsequent monarchs are compared to “the sins of Omri” (cf. Micah 6:16). Dynastic Legacy The “house of Omri” ruled Israel for four generations (Omri, Ahab, Ahaziah, Joram) until Jehu’s purge (2 Kings 10). Through Ahab’s daughter Athaliah, Omri’s influence crossed into Judah, producing the only queen to seize David’s throne (2 Kings 11; 2 Chronicles 22:2). The prophetic judgment on both kingdoms is therefore traced to Omri’s statutes: “For the statutes of Omri are kept, and all the practices of the house of Ahab” (Micah 6:16). Other Men Named Omri 1. A Benjamite in the genealogy of Becher (1 Chronicles 7:8). While unconnected to the king, these minor figures show the name’s broader usage among the tribes. Archaeological and Extra-Biblical Corroboration • Mesha Stele (Moabite Stone): Confirms Omri’s dominion over Moab. These attestations align with Kings, reinforcing Scripture’s historical reliability. Prophetic Significance Micah employs Omri metaphorically to describe institutionalized rebellion. The pairing of “statutes of Omri” with “house of Ahab” underlines how systemic sin begins with leadership choices and metastasizes through successive generations. Lessons for Faith and Ministry • Leadership Accountability – Omri’s political success did not offset spiritual failure; visible achievements cannot compensate for covenant disloyalty. Omri’s account stands as a sober warning: strategic brilliance and national prosperity, severed from wholehearted allegiance to the LORD, lead inevitably to ruin. Forms and Transliterations וְעָמְרִי֙ ועמרי עָמְרִ֔י עָמְרִ֖י עָמְרִ֗י עָמְרִ֛י עָמְרִ֤י עָמְרִ֨י עָמְרִֽי׃ עָמְרִי֙ עמרי עמרי׃ ‘ā·mə·rî ‘āmərî ameRi veameRi wə‘āmərî wə·‘ā·mə·rîLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Kings 16:16 HEB: יִ֠שְׂרָאֵל אֶת־ עָמְרִ֨י שַׂר־ צָבָ֧א NAS: made Omri, the commander KJV: wherefore all Israel made Omri, the captain INT: all Israel Omri the commander of the army 1 Kings 16:17 1 Kings 16:21 1 Kings 16:22 1 Kings 16:22 1 Kings 16:23 1 Kings 16:25 1 Kings 16:27 1 Kings 16:28 1 Kings 16:29 1 Kings 16:29 1 Kings 16:30 2 Kings 8:26 1 Chronicles 7:8 1 Chronicles 9:4 1 Chronicles 27:18 2 Chronicles 22:2 Micah 6:16 18 Occurrences |
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