Topical Bible: Israel: Defeat the Amorites

◄ Israel: Defeat the Amorites ►

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The defeat of the Amorites is a significant event in the history of Israel as recorded in the Old Testament. This victory is a testament to God's faithfulness and the fulfillment of His promises to the Israelites. The Amorites were a formidable group of people who inhabited the land of Canaan, and their defeat was crucial for Israel's conquest of the Promised Land.

Biblical Account

The primary account of Israel's defeat of the Amorites is found in the Book of Numbers and the Book of Deuteronomy. In Numbers 21:21-35, the Israelites, under the leadership of Moses, sent messengers to Sihon, king of the Amorites, requesting passage through his land. The message was peaceful, stating, "Let us pass through your land. We will not turn aside into any field or vineyard, nor will we drink water from any well. We will travel the King's Highway until we have passed through your territory" (Numbers 21:22).

However, Sihon refused Israel's request and gathered his people to fight against them. The Israelites, empowered by God, defeated Sihon and took possession of his land from the Arnon to the Jabbok, as far as the Ammonite border. This victory is attributed to divine intervention, as the Lord delivered the Amorites into the hands of Israel.

Following this victory, the Israelites continued their conquest by defeating Og, king of Bashan, another Amorite king. In Deuteronomy 3:1-7, the narrative describes how God reassured Moses, saying, "Do not be afraid of him, for I have delivered him into your hand, along with all his people and his land" (Deuteronomy 3:2). The Israelites struck down Og and his people, leaving no survivors, and took possession of his land as well.

Theological Significance

The defeat of the Amorites holds deep theological significance. It demonstrates God's sovereignty and His commitment to fulfilling the covenant promises made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The victories over Sihon and Og are often cited as examples of God's direct intervention in history to accomplish His purposes for His chosen people.

These events also serve as a reminder of the importance of obedience and faith in God's promises. The Israelites' success was not due to their own strength or military prowess but was a result of their reliance on God's guidance and power. The defeat of the Amorites is a testament to the fact that when God is for His people, no enemy can stand against them.

Historical and Cultural Context

The Amorites were a significant cultural and military presence in the ancient Near East. They were known for their fortified cities and warrior culture. The defeat of such a powerful group by the Israelites, a nomadic people recently freed from slavery in Egypt, underscores the miraculous nature of the victory.

The conquest of the Amorite territories provided Israel with strategic control over key regions in Canaan, facilitating further conquests and the eventual settlement of the Promised Land. The victories over Sihon and Og are frequently referenced in later biblical texts as a symbol of God's past faithfulness and a source of encouragement for future generations.

Legacy

The defeat of the Amorites is celebrated in Israel's history as a pivotal moment in their journey to establish themselves in the land promised to them by God. It is a account of divine deliverance and a powerful reminder of the importance of trusting in God's promises, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges.

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Numbers 21:21-32
And Israel sent messengers to Sihon king of the Amorites, saying,
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Deuteronomy 2:24-35
Rise you up, take your journey, and pass over the river Arnon: behold, I have given into your hand Sihon the Amorite, king of Heshbon, and his land: begin to possess it, and contend with him in battle.
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Library

Achan's Sin, Israel's Defeat
... It traces the defeat to God, and means really ... Ai emboldening not only the neighbouring
Amorites (highlanders) of ... make a combined attack, and sweep Israel out of ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/achans sin israels defeat.htm

Joshua's Conquest.
... Canaanites, who had been there about six centuries, and the Amorites, who had ... the
Canaanites because of their sins; (b) He allows the defeat of Israel at Ai ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter viii joshuas conquest.htm

From Kadesh to the Death of Moses.
... 2) The defeat of the ... came into conflict with Sihon the King of the Amorites, whom
they ... overcoming of this strong and ancient people brought Israel into contact ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter vii from kadesh to.htm

Five Kings in a Cave
... The victory of the Israelites over the Amorites was like the ... When the children of
Israel started from Egypt and had ... This sin which is now my defeat began with ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chapman/and judas iscariot/five kings in a cave.htm

The Nations of the South-East
... them from their two assailants, the Amorites on the ... After their defeat by Gideon,
however, we hear of ... raiding bands never approached the frontiers of Israel. ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter iii the nations of.htm

Afraid of Giants
... Jerusalem till David's time; that the 'Amorites,' or 'Highlanders ... no less folly,
and is the sure precursor of defeat. ... Israel might be a row of ciphers, but with ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/afraid of giants.htm

'The Waters Saw Thee; they were Afraid'
... Perizzites, and the Girgashites, and the Amorites, and the ... men out of the tribes
of Israel, out of ... they were struggling across, what could hinder utter defeat? ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the waters saw thee they.htm

Chapter xv
... of the Eastern kings after the surprise defeat he had ... Israel's legitimate religion,
whether on the patriarchal, Mosaic, or ... for the guilt of the Amorites is not ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xv.htm

The Antiquities of the Jews
... Sihon And Og Kings Of The Amorites, And Destroyed Their ... How Joram, His Namesake,
King Of Israel, Fought With ... Of Jehoram King O Jerusalem; His Defeat And Death. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/josephus/the antiquities of the jews/

Introduction
... philosophic speculation just as we derive from Israel and Canaan ... of Canaan had been
peopled by the Amorites, a tall ... of which he refers to his defeat of Kudur ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/introduction.htm