The Amorites were one of the prominent Canaanite tribes mentioned frequently in the Old Testament. They are often depicted as a formidable and influential group inhabiting the land of Canaan prior to the Israelite conquest. The Amorites are associated with a culture and society that stood in opposition to the Israelites, both in terms of religious practices and moral conduct.

Historical Background

The Amorites are believed to have originated from the region of Mesopotamia, migrating westward into the land of Canaan. They are mentioned in various ancient Near Eastern texts, including the Mari Tablets and the Amarna Letters, which highlight their presence and influence in the region. In the biblical narrative, the Amorites are often grouped with other Canaanite tribes, such as the Hittites, Perizzites, and Jebusites, as inhabitants of the land promised to the descendants of Abraham.

Biblical References

The Amorites are first mentioned in Genesis 10:16 as descendants of Canaan, the son of Ham. They are listed among the nations that would be displaced by the Israelites. In Genesis 15:16, God tells Abram 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 indicates that the Amorites' moral corruption would eventually reach a point warranting divine judgment.

The Amorites are frequently mentioned in the context of the Israelite conquest of Canaan. In Numbers 21:21-25, the Israelites request passage through the land of the Amorites, ruled by King Sihon. When Sihon refuses and attacks, the Israelites defeat him and take possession of his territory. Similarly, in Joshua 10, the Amorite kings form a coalition against Israel but are defeated in a miraculous battle where God intervenes by hurling hailstones and causing the sun to stand still (Joshua 10:11-13).

Moral and Religious Corruption

The Amorites, like other Canaanite tribes, were known for their idolatrous practices and moral depravity. They worshiped a pantheon of gods, including Baal and Ashtoreth, and engaged in practices such as child sacrifice and ritual prostitution. These abominations were detestable to the God of Israel and were a primary reason for the divine mandate to destroy them utterly.

In Deuteronomy 20:16-18, God commands the Israelites to completely destroy the Amorites and other Canaanite nations, leaving no survivors, to prevent the Israelites from being led astray by their detestable practices. This command underscores the severity of the Amorites' corruption and the necessity of their removal to preserve the holiness of the Israelite community.

Prophetic Fulfillment

The destruction of the Amorites is seen as a fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham and a demonstration of His justice. In Amos 2:9-10, God reminds Israel of His past actions, saying, "Yet it was I who destroyed the Amorite before them, whose height was like the cedars and whose strength was like the oaks. I destroyed his fruit above and his roots below" . This passage highlights the completeness of the Amorites' destruction and serves as a warning to Israel of the consequences of disobedience.

The Amorites' fate is a sobering reminder of the consequences of persistent sin and rebellion against God. Their account serves as a testament to the righteousness of God's judgment and the fulfillment of His promises to His people.Deuteronomy 20:17,18
But you shall utterly destroy them; namely, the Hittites, and the Amorites, the Canaanites, and the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites; as the LORD your God has commanded you:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

The Book of Jubilees
... Ammon and Moab, the Edomites and Amorites, are exhibited as ... the object of Heaven's
curse, and doomed to destruction. ... is to be found in the utter subjection of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/deane/pseudepigrapha/the book of jubilees.htm

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