Topical Encyclopedia The Amorites were a prominent group in the ancient Near East, frequently mentioned in the Old Testament as one of the peoples inhabiting the land of Canaan before the arrival of the Israelites. They are often depicted as formidable adversaries of the Israelites, and their kings played significant roles in the biblical narrative.Historical Context The Amorites were a Semitic people who originally inhabited the region of Mesopotamia before migrating westward into Canaan. By the time of the Israelite conquest, they had established several city-states and kingdoms throughout the region. The Amorites are often associated with the hill country of Canaan, and their influence extended into the Transjordan area. Biblical References The Bible provides several accounts of Amorite kings, particularly in the context of the Israelite conquest of Canaan. One of the most notable Amorite kings was Sihon, king of Heshbon. In Numbers 21:21-24 , the Israelites, under Moses' leadership, requested passage through Sihon's territory, but he refused and attacked them. The Israelites defeated Sihon and took possession of his land: "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, nor drink water from any well. We will travel 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." Another significant Amorite king was Og, king of Bashan. In Deuteronomy 3:1-3 , the Israelites, after defeating Sihon, turned their attention to Og: "Then we turned and went up the road to Bashan, and Og king of Bashan came out against us with his whole army to fight at Edrei. But the LORD said to me, 'Do not fear him, for I have delivered him into your hands, along with his whole army and his land. Do to him as you did to Sihon king of the Amorites, who reigned in Heshbon.' So the LORD our God also delivered Og king of Bashan and his whole army into our hands. We struck them down until no survivor was left." The defeat of these two kings was significant for the Israelites as it marked the beginning of their possession of the Transjordan region, which would later be allocated to the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh. Cultural and Religious Significance The Amorites, like other Canaanite peoples, were known for their idolatrous practices, which were in direct opposition to the worship of Yahweh, the God of Israel. The biblical narrative often highlights the moral and spiritual corruption of the Amorites, serving as a warning to the Israelites against adopting similar practices. In Genesis 15:16 , God tells Abraham that his descendants will return to Canaan in the fourth generation, "for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete." Legacy The Amorite kings, through their interactions with the Israelites, played a crucial role in the unfolding of the biblical narrative of the conquest of Canaan. Their defeat underscored the fulfillment of God's promises to the patriarchs and demonstrated His power and faithfulness to the people of Israel. The accounts of the Amorite kings serve as a testament to the historical and theological themes that permeate the Old Testament, illustrating the ongoing struggle between the people of God and the surrounding nations. Nave's Topical Index Joshua 10:3-26Why Adonizedec king of Jerusalem, sent to Hoham king of Hebron, and to Piram king of Jarmuth, and to Japhia king of Lachish, and to Debir king of Eglon, saying, Nave's Topical Index Library How Moses Conquered Sihon and Og Kings of the Amorites, and ... Five Kings in a Cave After the Terrible Siege of Samaria was Ended in Accordance with ... Canaan The Antiquities of the Jews National Apostasy The Nations of the South-East Psalm CXXXV. Psalm 136 The Nations of the North-East Resources Who were the Moabites? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the Book of the Wars of the Lord? | GotQuestions.org Who was Og king of Bashan? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus 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 |
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