The Amorites were an ancient Semitic people frequently mentioned in the Old Testament. They are depicted as one of the prominent groups inhabiting Canaan before the arrival of the Israelites. The term "Amorite" is often used in the Bible to refer to the inhabitants of the hill country, and at times, it is used more broadly to describe the pre-Israelite population of Canaan.

Biblical References and Historical Context

The Amorites are first mentioned in Genesis 10:16 as descendants of Canaan, the son of Ham, placing them among the Canaanite tribes. In Genesis 14:7, they are noted as living in Hazazon-tamar, and in Genesis 15:16, God tells Abram that the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete, indicating their future judgment.

The Amorites are described as a formidable people. In Numbers 13:29, they are listed among the inhabitants of Canaan, and in Deuteronomy 1:7, the Israelites are commanded to enter the hill country of the Amorites. Their strength and stature are highlighted in Amos 2:9, where God says, "Yet I destroyed the Amorite before them, whose height was like the height of the cedars, and he was as strong as the oaks."

Conquest and Interaction with Israel

The Amorites played a significant role in the history of Israel's 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, Israel defeats him and takes possession of his territory. This victory is recounted in Deuteronomy 2:24-37 and is seen as a divine act of judgment against the Amorites.

Similarly, in Joshua 10, the Amorite kings form a coalition against Gibeon, which had made peace with Israel. Joshua leads a miraculous campaign against them, during which God causes the sun to stand still (Joshua 10:12-14), resulting in a decisive victory for Israel.

Cultural and Religious Practices

The Amorites, like other Canaanite peoples, practiced idolatry and were known for their morally corrupt religious practices. This is evident in the biblical narrative, where God commands the Israelites to avoid the abominations of the Amorites and other Canaanite nations (Leviticus 18:3, Deuteronomy 18:9-12). The Israelites are repeatedly warned not to adopt their ways, as seen in Judges 6:10, where God reminds them, "I said to you, 'I am the LORD your God; do not worship the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell.' But you have not obeyed Me."

Legacy and Symbolism

The Amorites are often symbolically associated with opposition to God's people and purposes. Their defeat is portrayed as a testament to God's power and faithfulness to His promises. In the prophetic literature, the Amorites are sometimes used as a symbol of the enemies of God, as seen in Ezekiel 16:3, where Jerusalem's origins are metaphorically linked to the Amorites and Hittites, emphasizing the city's spiritual waywardness.

The Amorites' presence in the biblical narrative serves as a backdrop for the unfolding account of Israel's covenant relationship with God, highlighting themes of judgment, redemption, and the call to holiness.the Amorites Amorite

(dwellers on the summits, mountaineers), one of the chief nations who possessed the land of Canaan before its conquest by the Israelites. As dwelling on the elevated portions of the country, they are contrasted with the Canaanites, who were the dwellers in the lowlands; and the two thus formed the main broad divisions of the Holy Land, (Numbers 13:29) and see (14:7; 1:7,20) "Mountain of the Amorites;" (1:44; Joshua 5:1; 10:6; 11:3) They first occupied the barren heights west of the Dead Sea, at the place called afterwards Engedi. From this point they stretched west to Hebron. At the date of the invasion of the country, Sihon, their then king, had taken the rich pasture land south of the Jabbok. This rich tract, bounded by the Jabbok on the north, the Arnon on the south, the Jordan on the west and "the wilderness" on the east, (Judges 11:21,22) was, perhaps in the most special sense the "land of the Amorites," (Numbers 21:31; Joshua 12:2,3; 13:10; Judges 11:21,22) but their possessions are distinctly stated to have extended to the very foot of Hermon, (3:8; 4:48) embracing "Gilead and all Bashan," (3:10) with the Jordan valley on the east of the river. (4:49) After the conquest of Canaan nothing of importance is heard of the Amorites in the Bible.

567. Emori -- perhaps "mountain dwellers," a Canaanite tribe
... Word Origin from amar Definition perhaps "mountain dwellers," a Canaanite
tribe NASB Word Usage Amorite (24), Amorites (63). Amorite. ...
/hebrew/567.htm - 6k

How Moses Conquered Sihon and Og Kings of the Amorites, and ...
... But the Amorite king was not now like to himself when the Hebrews were ... Such was the
destruction which overtook the Amorites, who were neither sagacious in ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 5 how moses conquered.htm

Canaan
... Like the Amorites and the Amorite tribe of Jebusites at Jerusalem, the Hittites
were mountaineers.[2] The hot river-valleys and the sea-coast were inhabited by ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter ii canaan.htm

The Mountainous Country of Judea.
... to the mountain of the Amorite, as our Lord commanded us, and came to Cadesh-barnea.
Then I said unto you, You are now come to the mountain of the Amorites," &c ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 11 the mountainous country.htm

The Nations of the South-East
... The Amorites had already robbed him of the fairest portion of his dominions; Moab
north of the Arnon had fallen into their hands. The Amorite song of triumph ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter iii the nations of.htm

John Chapter viii. 37-47
... The prophet says to those very Jews, "Thy father was an Amorite, and thy mother
a Hittite." [781] The Amorites were not a nation that gave origin to the Jews. ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate xlii john chapter viii.htm

Babylonia and Assyria
... Mabug by name, was made "Father" or "Governor of the land of the Amorites." His
son ... army of the invaders in Syria at the hands of Abram and his Amorite allies. ...
/.../early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter vi babylonia and assyria.htm

Introduction
... The highlands of Canaan had been peopled by the Amorites, a tall fair race, akin ...
Egyptian Pharaoh Shishak in the kingdom of Judah all show the Amorite and not ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/introduction.htm

Chapter xiv
... The last group attacked and vanquished are the "Amorites," who dwelt as far north ...
river, who was dwelling by the terebinths of Mamre, the Amorite, the brother ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xiv.htm

Hooker -- the Activity of Faith; Or, Abraham's Imitators
... faith. "Thy father was an Amorite," saith the Scripture: that is, thou
followest the steps of the Amorites in thy conversation. So ...
/.../various/the worlds great sermons vol 2/hooker the activity of.htm

Chapter x
... The "Amorite" dwelled mostly in the mountains, especially around the Lebanon range ...
of the Conquest that oftentimes all Canaanites are simply called Amorites (cf ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter x.htm

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