Topical Encyclopedia The Amorites were one of the prominent Canaanite tribes mentioned frequently in the Old Testament. They are often depicted as a powerful and influential people, occupying the hill country of Canaan and extending their influence over a significant portion of the land. The Bible provides numerous accounts of their wickedness, which ultimately led to their judgment and displacement by the Israelites.The Amorites are first introduced in the Table of Nations in Genesis 10:16, where they are listed among the descendants of Canaan. Their reputation for wickedness is highlighted in several key biblical passages. In Genesis 15:16, God tells Abram that the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete, indicating that their sinful behavior was already significant but would reach a point of fullness that warranted divine judgment. The moral depravity of the Amorites is further illustrated in Leviticus 18, where God commands the Israelites not to follow the detestable practices of the Canaanites, including the Amorites. These practices included various forms of sexual immorality and idolatry, which were abominations in the sight of the Lord. Leviticus 18:24-25 states, "Do not defile yourselves by any of these practices, for by all these things the nations I am driving out before you have defiled themselves. Even the land has become defiled, so I am punishing it for its iniquity, and the land will vomit out its inhabitants." The Amorites' wickedness is also evident in their opposition to the people of God. In Numbers 21:21-25, the Amorite king Sihon refused to allow the Israelites passage through his land and instead attacked them. This act of aggression led to the defeat of the Amorites and the capture of their cities by the Israelites. Deuteronomy 2:32-34 recounts this event: "So Sihon and his whole army came out to meet us in battle at Jahaz. And the LORD our God delivered him over to us, and we defeated him and his sons and his whole army. At that time we captured all his cities and completely destroyed the people of every city, including women and children. We left no survivors." The Amorites' idolatrous practices and moral corruption are further condemned in the prophetic literature. In Amos 2:9-10 , God reminds Israel of His past deliverance from the Amorites, whose height was like the cedars and strength like the oaks, yet He destroyed their fruit above and their roots below. This imagery underscores the Amorites' formidable presence and the divine intervention required to overcome their entrenched wickedness. The Amorites' legacy of sin serves as a cautionary tale throughout the biblical narrative. Their persistent rebellion against God and His commandments ultimately led to their downfall and serves as a warning to the Israelites and all who would follow in their footsteps. Nave's Topical Index Genesis 15:16But in the fourth generation they shall come here again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full. Nave's Topical Index 2 Kings 21:11 Ezra 9:1 Library The Measure of Sin. Book 4 Footnotes The Testament of Judah Concerning Fortitude, and Love of Money ... The Ass and the Colt are the Old and the New Testament. Spiritual ... Joshua's Conquest. How God Works in the Hearts of Men. The Sins of Communities Noted and Punished. National Apostasy That the Judges who Succeeded Gideon Made War with the Adjoining ... On his Father'S Silence, Because of the Plague of Hail. Resources Who were the Amorites? | GotQuestions.orgWhat 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 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 |