The Amorites were an ancient Semitic people frequently mentioned in the Old Testament. They are often depicted as one of the primary inhabitants of Canaan before the arrival of the Israelites. The name "Amorite" is believed to derive from the Akkadian word "Amurru," which refers to the people of the west or the highlands.

Biblical References and Historical Context

The Amorites are first mentioned in Genesis 10:16 as descendants of Canaan, the son of Ham. They are listed among the various Canaanite tribes that inhabited the land promised to Abraham and his descendants. In Genesis 15:16, God tells Abraham 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 would eventually lead to their judgment.

The Amorites are frequently mentioned in the context of the Israelite conquest of Canaan. In Numbers 21:21-25, the Israelites, under Moses' leadership, request passage through the land of the Amorite king Sihon. When Sihon refuses and attacks, the Israelites defeat him and take possession of his territory. Similarly, in Joshua 10, the Amorite kings form a coalition against the Israelites but are defeated in a miraculous battle where God causes the sun to stand still (Joshua 10:12-14).

Cultural and Religious Practices

The Amorites, like other Canaanite peoples, were known for their idolatrous practices, which included the worship of deities such as Baal and Ashtoreth. Their religious practices often involved rituals that were abhorrent to the Israelites, including child sacrifice and temple prostitution. These practices are condemned throughout the Old Testament, and the Israelites are repeatedly warned against adopting them (Leviticus 18:21-30).

Role in Israelite History

The Amorites played a significant role in the history of Israel, both as adversaries and as a people whose land would become part of the Israelite inheritance. In Deuteronomy 7:1-2, God commands the Israelites to utterly destroy the Amorites and other Canaanite nations to prevent the corruption of Israelite worship and culture. Despite this command, remnants of the Amorite population continued to exist within Israelite territory, sometimes leading to periods of conflict and apostasy.

In the book of Judges, the Amorites are mentioned as oppressors of Israel. Judges 1:34 notes that the Amorites forced the tribe of Dan into the hill country, not allowing them to come down to the plain. This ongoing presence and influence of the Amorites and other Canaanite peoples posed a continual challenge to Israel's faithfulness to God.

Legacy and Significance

The Amorites are emblematic of the broader Canaanite culture that the Israelites were commanded to displace. Their presence in the biblical narrative serves as a backdrop for the unfolding account of Israel's struggle to maintain covenant faithfulness amidst surrounding pagan influences. The Amorites' eventual defeat and assimilation into Israelite society illustrate the fulfillment of God's promises to the patriarchs and the establishment of Israel in the Promised Land.

The Amorites, as depicted in the Bible, serve as a reminder of the consequences of idolatry and the importance of obedience to God's commands. Their account is interwoven with the themes of judgment, redemption, and the sovereignty of God in the history of His chosen people.567. Emori -- perhaps "mountain dwellers," a Canaanite tribe
... Probably a patronymic from an unused name derived from 'amar in the sense of publicity,
ie Prominence; thus, a mountaineer; an Emorite, one of the Canaanitish ...
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... Multi-Version Concordance Emorite (1 Occurrence). Genesis 10:16 And
the Jebusite, and the Emorite, and the Girgasite, (WBS). ...
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Emmor (1 Occurrence)

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Emotion (1 Occurrence)

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