The Amorites were a prominent group among the ancient Canaanite tribes, frequently mentioned in the Old Testament. They are often depicted as formidable adversaries of the Israelites during their conquest of the Promised Land. The Amorites were known for their significant influence and power in the region, and several of their chiefs are noted in the biblical narrative.

Sihon, King of the Amorites

One of the most notable Amorite chiefs was Sihon, king of Heshbon. Sihon is prominently featured in the biblical account of Israel's journey to the Promised Land. The Israelites, under the leadership of Moses, requested passage through Sihon's territory, but he refused and instead mobilized his forces against them. The Bible records this encounter in Numbers 21:21-24 : "Then Israel sent messengers to Sihon king of the Amorites, saying, 'Let us pass through your land; we will not turn aside into any field or vineyard, or drink water from any well. We will stay on the King's Highway until we have passed through your territory.' But Sihon would not let Israel pass through his territory. Instead, he gathered his whole army and went out to the wilderness to confront Israel. When he came to Jahaz, he fought against Israel. But Israel put him to the sword and took possession of his land from the Arnon to the Jabbok, but only up to the border of the Ammonites, because it was fortified."

Sihon's defeat was significant for the Israelites, as it marked the beginning of their conquest of the Transjordan region. The victory over Sihon and the Amorites is celebrated in several passages, including Deuteronomy 2:24-37 and Psalm 135:10-12.

Og, King of Bashan

Another prominent Amorite chief was Og, king of Bashan. Og is described as one of the last of the Rephaim, a group of ancient giants. His kingdom was located in the northern part of the Transjordan, and he is mentioned alongside Sihon as a major adversary of Israel. The account of Og's defeat is found in Numbers 21:33-35 : "Then they turned and went up the road to Bashan, and Og king of Bashan came out against them with his whole army to fight at Edrei. But the LORD said to Moses, 'Do not fear him, for I have delivered him into your hand, along with all his people and his land. Do to him as you did to Sihon king of the Amorites, who lived in Heshbon.' So they struck down Og, his sons, and his whole army until no remnant was left, and they took possession of his land."

The defeat of Og further solidified Israel's control over the Transjordan and is frequently referenced as a testament to God's power and faithfulness to His promises (Deuteronomy 3:1-11, Psalm 136:17-22).

Amorite Influence and Legacy

The Amorites, under the leadership of their chiefs, were a significant force in the ancient Near East. Their cities and territories were strategically important, and their defeat by the Israelites was a crucial step in the fulfillment of God's covenant with Abraham. The Amorites are often mentioned in lists of Canaanite nations that Israel was commanded to drive out, as seen in passages like Exodus 23:23 and Deuteronomy 7:1.

Despite their eventual defeat, the Amorites left a lasting legacy in the biblical narrative as a symbol of the challenges and obstacles faced by the Israelites in their quest to inherit the land promised to them by God.Joshua 13:21
And all the cities of the plain, and all the kingdom of Sihon king of the Amorites, which reigned in Heshbon, whom Moses smote with the princes of Midian, Evi, and Rekem, and Zur, and Hur, and Reba, which were dukes of Sihon, dwelling in the country.
Nave's Topical Index

The Nations of the South-East
... The Amorites were crushed by the Israelitish forces, though the lands they had taken ...
Egypt; he married one of their princesses and became one of their chiefs. ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter iii the nations of.htm

The Testament of Judah Concerning Fortitude, and Love of Money ...
... For it is a law of the Amorites, that she who is about to marry sit in ... and Isaac
and Jacob arise unto life, and I and my brethren will be chiefs, even your ...
/.../iv the testament of judah concerning.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... the Canaanites collected their forces in the south; but they were routed not far
from Gibeon, and their chiefs killed or mutilated.* The Amorites in the north ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

The Close of the Theban Empire
... reached the frontiers of the empire, in the country of the Amorites, they came to ...
by attacking the subjects of the Pharaoh himself, and their chiefs dreamed of ...
/.../chapter iiithe close of the.htm

The Eighteenth Theban Dynasty
... cited but the mention of the usual annual dues paid by the chiefs of Puanit ... campaign,
where the Prince of Qodshu, a town of the Amauru (Amorites), figures at ...
/.../chapter iiithe eighteenth theban dynasty.htm

The Eighteenth Theban Dynasty --(Continued)
... revolted, two of their towns were taken, a third surrendered, while the chiefs of
the ... and besieged were about to come to close quarters, the Amorites let loose ...
/.../chapter ithe eighteenth theban dynastycontinued.htm

Syria at the Beginning of the Egyptian Conquest
... the Prince of Naharaim, who seems to exercise authority over all the chiefs of the ...
by Megiddo in relation to Kharu, and by Qodshu among the Amorites; that is ...
/.../chapter iisyria at the beginning.htm

Demonstration v. --Of Wars.
... And I pruned it and trimmed it, from the works of the Amorites. ... preceded these, why
did they conquer and subdue the beast?" It was because the chiefs and kings ...
/.../aphrahat/aphrahat select demonstrations/demonstration v of wars.htm

The First Chaldaean Empire and the Hyksos in Egypt
... called the north Khati,* and Cole-Syria, Amurru, the land of the Amorites. ... concentration,
under one head, of armies hitherto owning several chiefs, enabled the ...
/.../chapter ithe first chaldaean empire.htm

The Rise of the Assyrian Empire
... They left this to the races of the interior"the Amorites and Hittites"and ... The
confederacy of feudal chiefs, which had been brought momentarily together by ...
/.../chapter iithe rise of the.htm

Who were the Amorites? | GotQuestions.org

What 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