Emmor, also known as Hamor in some translations, is a biblical figure mentioned in the Old Testament. He is primarily recognized as the father of Shechem, a Hivite prince, and is associated with the narrative involving Jacob and his family. Emmor's account is found in the Book of Genesis, where he plays a significant role in the events surrounding the defilement of Dinah, Jacob's daughter.

Biblical Account

The account of Emmor is detailed in Genesis 34. Dinah, the daughter of Jacob and Leah, went out to visit the women of the land, and Shechem, the son of Emmor, saw her and took her, violating her. Deeply infatuated with Dinah, Shechem spoke to his father, Emmor, and requested that he obtain Dinah as his wife.

Emmor approached Jacob to negotiate a marriage between Shechem and Dinah. He proposed a peaceful coexistence between the two families, suggesting intermarriage and the sharing of land and resources. Emmor said to Jacob and his sons, "The soul of my son Shechem longs for your daughter. Please give her to him as his wife" (Genesis 34:8).

Jacob's sons, however, were outraged by the defilement of their sister and deceitfully agreed to the marriage on the condition that all the males in Emmor's city be circumcised. Emmor and Shechem agreed to this condition, and the men of the city underwent circumcision.

On the third day, while the men were still in pain, Simeon and Levi, Dinah's brothers, took their swords and attacked the city, killing all the males, including Emmor and Shechem. They rescued Dinah and plundered the city as retribution for the disgrace brought upon their sister.

Cultural and Theological Significance

Emmor's account is significant in the biblical narrative as it highlights themes of honor, revenge, and the complexities of familial and cultural interactions in the ancient Near East. The incident underscores the importance of family honor and the lengths to which Jacob's sons were willing to go to defend it.

From a theological perspective, the account of Emmor and Shechem serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of sin and the importance of upholding God's covenantal laws. The actions of Simeon and Levi, while driven by a sense of justice, also demonstrate the potential for human vengeance to lead to further violence and moral compromise.

References in Other Biblical Texts

Emmor is also mentioned in the New Testament, in the Book of Acts. During Stephen's speech before the Sanhedrin, he refers to the purchase of a burial site by Jacob from the sons of Emmor in Shechem (Acts 7:16). This reference serves to connect the patriarchal narratives with the broader history of Israel and underscores the enduring significance of these ancestral accounts in the collective memory of the Jewish people.

Conclusion

The account of Emmor, while brief, is a pivotal moment in the Genesis narrative, illustrating the complex interplay of personal desire, cultural customs, and divine law. His interactions with Jacob's family provide insight into the social dynamics of the time and the enduring themes of justice and retribution in the biblical tradition.Emmor

an ass

Emmor

(an ass), the father of Sychem. (Acts 7:16) [HAMOR]

An ass, Acts 7:16. (see HAMOR.) EMMOR

em'-or:

Transliterated from the Greek Emmor, the translation of Hebrew chamor, "ass" (Acts 7:16 the King James Version; the Revised Version (British and American) "Hamor", which see).

1697. Hemmor -- Emmor, a Canaanite
... Emmor, a Canaanite. Part of Speech: Proper Noun, Indeclinable Transliteration: Hemmor
Phonetic Spelling: (em-mor') Short Definition: Hamor Definition: Hamor, a ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1697.htm - 6k

Appendix D.
... died, he, and our Fathers; and were carried over into Sychem, and laid in the sepulchre
that Abraham bought for a sum of money of the sons of Emmor the father ...
//christianbookshelf.org/burgon/inspiration and interpretation/appendix d.htm

Acts VII
... he and our fathers, (16) and were carried over into Sychem, and laid in the sepulcher
which Jacob bought for a sum of money from the sons of Emmor, the father ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts vii.htm

Acts vii. 6, 7
... died, he, and our fathers, and were carried over into Sychem, and laid in the sepulchre
that Abraham bought for a sum of money of the sons of Emmor the father ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xvi acts vii 6.htm

Letter Lvii. To Pammachius on the Best Method of Translating.
... himself, and our fathers were carried over [1709] into Sychem, and laid in the
sepulchre that Abraham bought for a sum of money of the sons of Emmor [1710] the ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter lvii to pammachius on.htm

Inspiration of Scripture. --Gospel Difficulties. --The Word of God ...
... Stephen's speech to "the sepulchre that Abraham bought for a sum of money of the
sons of Emmor, the son" (not the father, but the son) "of Sychem," is a good ...
/.../inspiration and interpretation/sermon iii inspiration of scripture gospel.htm

Emmor (1 Occurrence)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary An ass, Acts 7:16. (see HAMOR.). Int. Standard Bible
Encyclopedia. EMMOR. ... Multi-Version Concordance Emmor (1 Occurrence). ...
/e/emmor.htm - 7k

Sepulchre (57 Occurrences)
... In Acts 7:16 it is said that Jacob was "laid in the sepulchre that Abraham bought
for a sum of money of the sons of Emmor the father of Sychem." It has been ...
/s/sepulchre.htm - 25k

Hamor (13 Occurrences)
... He-ass, a Hivite from whom Jacob purchased the plot of ground in which Joseph was
afterwards buried (Genesis 33:19). He is called "Emmor" in Acts 7:16. ...
/h/hamor.htm - 12k

Emmeruth

/e/emmeruth.htm - 6k

Emorite (1 Occurrence)

/e/emorite.htm - 6k

Sum (34 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Acts 7:16 And were carried over into Sychem, and laid in the sepulchre that
Abraham bought for a sum of money of the sons of Emmor the father of Sychem. ...
/s/sum.htm - 17k

Sychem (1 Occurrence)
... Acts 7:16 And were carried over into Sychem, and laid in the sepulchre that Abraham
bought for a sum of money of the sons of Emmor the father of Sychem. ...
/s/sychem.htm - 7k

Sepulcher (48 Occurrences)
... (WBS). Acts 7:16 And were carried over into Sychem, and laid in the sepulcher that
Abraham bought for a sum of money of the sons of Emmor the father of Sychem. ...
/s/sepulcher.htm - 20k

Placed (297 Occurrences)
... Acts 7:16 and were carried over to Sychem and placed in the sepulchre which Abraham
bought for a sum of money of the sons of Emmor the father of Sychem. ...
/p/placed.htm - 34k

Carried (327 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Acts 7:16 And were carried over into Sychem, and laid in the sepulchre that
Abraham bought for a sum of money of the sons of Emmor the father of Sychem. ...
/c/carried.htm - 35k

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