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 Israelite conquest. The term "Amorite" is sometimes used broadly to refer to the pre-Israelite inhabitants of the land, but it also specifically denotes a distinct group with its own cultural and political identity.

Biblical Background

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 occupied 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 statement indicates a period of divine probation, during which the Amorites' moral and spiritual decline would reach its fullness, justifying their eventual displacement by the Israelites.

Role in Israelite Conquest

The Amorites are prominently featured in the narrative 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. This victory is significant as it marks the beginning of Israel's conquest of the Transjordan region.

In Joshua 10, the Amorites are part of a coalition of Canaanite kings who oppose the Israelites. The famous battle where Joshua commands the sun to stand still occurs during this campaign against the Amorite kings. Joshua 10:12-14 records this miraculous event, emphasizing God's direct intervention on behalf of Israel.

Moral and Spiritual Decline

The Amorites, like other Canaanite nations, were known for their idolatrous practices and moral corruption. Leviticus 18 and 20 outline various abominations practiced by the Canaanites, including the Amorites, which were detestable to God. These practices included child sacrifice, sexual immorality, and other forms of pagan worship. The Israelites were explicitly warned not to adopt these practices, as stated in Leviticus 18:24-25: "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. The land has become defiled, so I am punishing it for its iniquity, and the land will vomit out its inhabitants" .

Divine Judgment and Fulfillment of Promises

The conquest of the Amorites and other Canaanite peoples is portrayed as a fulfillment of God's promises to the patriarchs and a demonstration of divine judgment against persistent sin. Deuteronomy 9:4-5 clarifies that the Israelites' possession of the land is not due to their own righteousness but because of the wickedness of these nations: "It is not because of your righteousness or your integrity that you are going in to take possession of their land; but on account of the wickedness of these nations, the LORD your God will drive them out before you, to accomplish what He swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob" .

Legacy and Lessons

The Amorites serve as a sobering example of the consequences of prolonged disobedience and moral decay. Their account underscores the biblical theme of divine patience and eventual judgment. The period of probation granted to the Amorites highlights God's justice and mercy, offering time for repentance before the execution of judgment. The narrative of the Amorites is a reminder of the importance of faithfulness to God's commands and the dangers of cultural assimilation into practices contrary to His will.Genesis 15:16
But in the fourth generation they shall come here again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full.
Nave's Topical Index

The Measure of Sin.
... The land was in the possession of the Amorites, a people on their trial, and till
the day of their probation was expired, their kingdom could not be taken from ...
/.../the village pulpit volume ii trinity to advent/xliv the measure of sin.htm

The Sins of Communities Noted and Punished.
... to the divine Sovereign are charged to the community, and when its probation ends,
they ... That "the sin of the Amorites was not full," was assigned as a reason ...
/.../lee/sermons on various important subjects/sermon xxix the sins of.htm

The Apocalypse of Baruch.
... with Moses, Joshua, and the Sinaitic revelations; the works of the Amorites and
magicians ... the beauty of mortal women was appointed to be the probation of angels ...
//christianbookshelf.org/deane/pseudepigrapha/the apocalypse of baruch.htm

What is the significance of 40 days in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Do angels have free will? | GotQuestions.org

What is biblical numerology? | GotQuestions.org

Probation: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus