The Amorites were one of the prominent Canaanite tribes mentioned frequently in the Old Testament. Known for their formidable strength and imposing stature, the Amorites were a significant force in the ancient Near East, often depicted as a formidable adversary to the Israelites.

Biblical References and Descriptions

The Amorites are first mentioned in Genesis 10:16 as descendants of Canaan, the son of Ham. They are listed among the various tribes inhabiting the land of Canaan, which God promised to Abraham and his descendants. The Amorites' reputation for strength and size is highlighted in several biblical passages, most notably in the context of the Israelite conquest of Canaan.

In Numbers 13:32-33, the Israelite spies sent by Moses to scout the Promised Land report back with a daunting description of the inhabitants: "The land we explored devours its inhabitants, and all the people we saw there are great in stature. We even saw the Nephilim there—the descendants of Anak that come from the Nephilim. We seemed like grasshoppers in our own sight, and we must have seemed the same to them." While the term "Nephilim" is used here, it is often associated with the Amorites and other giant tribes in the land.

Deuteronomy 1:28 further emphasizes the fearsome reputation of the Amorites: "Where can we go? Our brothers have made our hearts melt, saying: 'The people are stronger and taller than we are; the cities are large, with walls up to the sky. We even saw the Anakites there.'"

Historical Context and Significance

The Amorites were not only known for their physical attributes but also for their significant role in the history of the region. They established powerful city-states and kingdoms, such as the kingdom of Og in Bashan and Sihon in Heshbon. These kings are specifically mentioned in the biblical narrative as formidable opponents of the Israelites.

In Deuteronomy 3:11, Og, king of Bashan, is described as the last of the Rephaim, a race of giants: "For only Og king of Bashan remained of the remnant of the Rephaim. His bed was made of iron and was more than nine cubits long and four cubits wide. It is still in Rabbah of the Ammonites." This description underscores the extraordinary size and strength attributed to the Amorites and their leaders.

Confrontations with Israel

The Amorites' encounters with the Israelites are marked by conflict and divine intervention. In Joshua 10, the Amorite kings form a coalition to attack Gibeon, a city that had made peace with Israel. In response, Joshua leads the Israelites in a miraculous victory, aided by God, who causes the sun to stand still and hurls hailstones upon the Amorite forces (Joshua 10:12-14).

The conquest of the Amorite territories is a significant milestone in the fulfillment of God's promise to give the land of Canaan to the descendants of Abraham. The defeat of Sihon and Og, as recorded in Numbers 21:21-35, is celebrated as a testament to God's power and faithfulness to Israel.

Cultural and Theological Implications

The depiction of the Amorites as giants serves to highlight the challenges faced by the Israelites and the necessity of relying on divine assistance to overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles. The narrative underscores the theme of God's sovereignty and the fulfillment of His promises despite human limitations.

The Amorites' presence in the biblical narrative also serves as a reminder of the moral and spiritual challenges posed by the Canaanite cultures, which were often characterized by idolatry and practices contrary to the covenantal laws given to Israel. The conquest and displacement of the Amorites and other Canaanite tribes are portrayed as acts of divine judgment and purification of the land for the establishment of a holy nation dedicated to the worship of Yahweh.Amos 2:9
Yet destroyed I the Amorite before them, whose height was like the height of the cedars, and he was strong as the oaks; yet I destroyed his fruit from above, and his roots from beneath.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Afraid of Giants
... terrors of the giants and the strength of the ... till David's time; that the 'Amorites,'
or 'Highlanders ... as grasshoppers.' No doubt they were gigantic, but fear ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/afraid of giants.htm

Chapter xiv
... resha', ie, "in iniquity." On the strength of the ... not impossible that they themselves
were of gigantic stature. ... the Amalekites and also the Amorites that were ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xiv.htm

The Close of the Theban Empire
... the empire, in the country of the Amorites, they came ... bring his army up to fighting
strength when internal ... of the ordinary type, with its gigantic pylons, its ...
/.../chapter iiithe close of the.htm

The Reaction against Egypt
... The majority of them, both male and female, were of gigantic stature, and were ... The
Amorites, the people of Zahi, Alasia, and Naharaim, together with recruits ...
/.../chapter iithe reaction against egypt.htm

The First Chaldaean Empire and the Hyksos in Egypt
... to signify "the white mountain;" the Amorites called the Anti ... the Jordan"flows down
this gigantic crevasse, fertilizing ... as if to gather fresh strength for its ...
/.../chapter ithe first chaldaean empire.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... The Hebrews in the desert: their families, clans, and tribes"The Amorites and the ...
and with this increase came a consciousness of their own strength, so that ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

Who were the Perizzites in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Why did God send the Israelites to Egypt for 400 years (Genesis 15:13)? | GotQuestions.org

Is it true that the sun stood still? | GotQuestions.org

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