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 Amorites are descendants of Canaan, the son of Ham, who was one of Noah's three sons. This lineage is outlined in Genesis 10:15-16 : "Canaan was the father of Sidon his firstborn, and of the Hittites, Jebusites, Amorites, Girgashites."

The Amorites are illustrative of man's natural state in several ways, particularly in their opposition to God's people and their embodiment of the sinful nature that is inherent in humanity. The Amorites, like other Canaanite tribes, were known for their idolatry and moral corruption, which are emblematic of the fallen state of mankind. In Genesis 15:16 , God tells Abram, "In the fourth generation your descendants will return here, for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete." This passage indicates that the Amorites' sinfulness had reached a point that warranted divine judgment, reflecting the natural human tendency towards sin and rebellion against God.

The Amorites' resistance to the Israelites during their conquest of Canaan further illustrates the conflict between the natural state of man and the divine will. In Numbers 21:21-25 , the Israelites request passage through the land of the Amorites, but King Sihon refuses and attacks them. The Israelites, under God's guidance, defeat the Amorites and take possession of their land. This event highlights the Amorites' opposition to God's plan and serves as a metaphor for the spiritual battle between the sinful nature of man and the righteousness of God.

Moreover, the Amorites' eventual downfall serves as a warning of the consequences of living in opposition to God's commands. In Joshua 24:8 , Joshua recounts God's deliverance of the Israelites from the Amorites: "I brought you to the land of the Amorites who lived beyond the Jordan. They fought against you, but I delivered them into your hand, that you might possess their land, when I destroyed them before you." This narrative underscores the ultimate futility of resisting God's will and the inevitable judgment that comes upon those who persist in sin.

The Amorites also serve as a reminder of the transformative power of God's grace. Despite their initial resistance, some Amorites, like Rahab the harlot, who was from the broader Canaanite region, came to recognize the sovereignty of the God of Israel and were integrated into the community of God's people. This transformation is a testament to the possibility of redemption and the change that can occur when individuals turn from their natural state and embrace faith in God.

In summary, the Amorites, as depicted in the Bible, are a representation of the natural state of humanity—characterized by sin, rebellion, and opposition to God. Their account serves as both a cautionary tale of the consequences of sin and a hopeful reminder of the potential for redemption through faith and obedience to God.Ezekiel 16:3
And say, Thus said the Lord GOD to Jerusalem; Your birth and your nativity is of the land of Canaan; your father was an Amorite, and your mother an Hittite.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Who were the Amorites? | GotQuestions.org

What 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

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