The Amorites were an ancient Semitic-speaking people group that inhabited parts of the Ancient Near East, including Canaan, from around the 21st century BC to the 12th century BC. They are mentioned frequently throughout the Old Testament, often in conflict with the Israelites. Here is an overview of what the Bible teaches about the Amorites:
Origins and Homeland
The Amorites were originally from the region of Syria and Mesopotamia. Their name derives from the Sumerian term “Martu” meaning “westerners.” Genesis 10:16 refers to the Amorites as descendants of Canaan, the son of Ham. Deuteronomy 1:7 notes they lived in the hill country of Canaan on the west side of the Jordan River.
Archaeological evidence indicates the Amorites first appeared in Mesopotamia around 2400 BC. They established control over several independent city-states, including Babylon, which became the capital of their first dynasty around 1894 BC (Genesis 10:10). The Amorites spoke a Northwest Semitic language and their rule over southern Mesopotamia lasted for over 400 years.
Religion and Culture
As a Semitic people group, the religious beliefs and practices of the Amorites were similar to other groups in the Ancient Near East. They were polytheistic and worshipped many gods and goddesses. Some of their chief deities included Dagan, Ishtar, Adad, and Shamash. The Amorites participated in temple rituals and left written records containing hymns, myths, omens, and legends.
The Amorites lived in walled cities. As a pastoral people, they engaged in both agriculture and herding. Their skill in metallurgy led to the production of tools, weapons, and ornamental objects made from bronze and copper. Long distance trade was an important part of their economy.
In the Bible
The Amorites appear frequently in the Old Testament, especially in relation to the Israelites. God promised to give Abraham and his descendants all the land of the Amorites (Genesis 15:16). When Moses sent the twelve spies into Canaan, they reported back that “the Amorites dwell in the hill country” (Numbers 13:29).
As Israel prepared to enter Canaan after their exodus from Egypt, God instructed them not to provoke the Amorites into war, as He had given that land to the descendants of Esau instead (Deuteronomy 2:4-5). However, when King Sihon of Heshbon refused to let Israel pass through his territory peacefully, they defeated him in battle and took possession of his land (Numbers 21:21-32).
After Joshua led Israel across the Jordan River, they waged war against an alliance of Amorite kings led by Adoni-zedek of Jerusalem (Joshua 10). Israel emerged victorious through divine intervention and proceeded to conquer the southern region of Canaan. However, some Amorites remained unconquered in the hill country (Joshua 11:1-3).
The book of Judges records how the Amorites oppressed the Israelites along with other people groups in Canaan. God enabled leaders like Deborah and Gideon to defeat the Amorites and deliver Israel from their rule (Judges 1:34-36; 6:3-6). But the two groups continued to clash, as seen in Jephthah’s victory over the Amorites (Judges 11:19-23).
During the reign of Saul, the prophet Samuel instructed him to attack and destroy the Amalekites and Amorites (1 Samuel 15:1-9). Later, when David became king over a consolidated Israelite kingdom, he continued to wage war against the remaining Amorites (2 Samuel 21:2). By the late 12th century BC, the Amorites had been vanquished and assimilated under Israelite rule.
Lessons from the Amorites
The Bible’s depictions of the Amorites offer several lessons and applications:
- God sovereignly raises up and removes nations according to His purposes (Genesis 15:16; Amos 2:9).
- Ethnic groups that oppose God’s people face His judgment (Numbers 21:21-25; Joshua 10:10-11).
- God enables His people to defeat superior forces when they rely on Him (Judges 1:34-36; 7:7-25).
- Compromise with ungodly nations leads to idolatry and judgment (Judges 3:5-8; 1 Kings 11:1-6).
- Without God’s help and mercy, no one can stand against His judgments (Joshua 11:18-20).
The Amorites disappeared as a distinct civilization, but their influence continued through intermarriage and cultural diffusion. Traces of their language, culture, and religious beliefs emerged in later societies across the Levant. Though idolatrous and morally corrupt, their ambitious exploits enriched human civilization. The Amorites remind us of both the heights and depths of which humanity is capable.
Notable Amorites in the Bible
Here are some of the named Amorite individuals and leaders who appear in the biblical account:
- Sihon – The “king of the Amorites” who ruled in Heshbon and opposed Israel’s passage through his land (Numbers 21:21-32; Deuteronomy 2:24-37).
- Og – The king of Bashan who led an army against Israel but was defeated (Numbers 21:33-35; Deuteronomy 3:1-7).
- Adoni-zedek – The king of Jerusalem who organized an alliance against Israel but was routed (Joshua 10).
- Chedorlaomer – An ancient king of Elam who subdued the Amorite rulers of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 14:1-17).
- Bera – The “king of Sodom” who joined the rebellion against Chedorlaomer (Genesis 14:2).
- Melchizedek – The enigmatic “king of Salem” who blessed Abraham after his victory (Genesis 14:18-20).
Key Events in Amorite History
Here is a brief timeline showing some of the major events related to the Amorites according to the Bible and other historical sources:
- c. 2400 BC – The Amorites first appear in Mesopotamian records as nomads inhabiting the steppe lands of Syria.
- c. 2000 BC – Amorites begin migrating into southern Mesopotamia and establish control over several city-states.
- c. 1894 BC – Sumuabum founds the first Amorite dynasty of Babylon.
- c. 1595 BC – Mursilis I of the Hittites sacks Babylon, ending Amorite control.
- c. 1550 BC – Amorites occupy parts of the Levant including Jerusalem under King Abdi-Heba.
- c. 1400 BC – Amorites exercise power across Syria and the northern Levant.
- c. 1200 BC – Pharaoh Merneptah claims to have destroyed the seed of the Amorites.
- c. 1250-1000 BC – Amorites gradually disappear from historical records as a distinct group.
Key Places Associated with the Amorites
The Amorites occupied lands across Mesopotamia, Syria, and the Levant. Here are some of the key cities, kingdoms, and regions associated with them in the Bible and Ancient Near East:
- Babylon – Major city and capital of the Amorite dynasty that ruled southern Mesopotamia (Genesis 10:10).
- Jerusalem – City ruled by an Amorite king Adoni-Zedek during Joshua’s invasion (Joshua 10:1-5).
- Heshbon – Capital city of King Sihon of the Amorites (Numbers 21:25-28; Deuteronomy 2:24-37).
- Bashan – Region north of the Sea of Galilee ruled by King Og the Amorite (Deuteronomy 3:1-10).
- Canaan – Land promised by God to Abraham’s descendants, partially inhabited by Amorites (Genesis 15:18-21).
- Jordan River Valley – Amorites occupied cities along the eastern banks of this strategic river.
- Hill Country of Canaan – Mountainous interior region where Amorites persisted (Numbers 13:29; Joshua 10:6).
Key Battles between Israelites and Amorites
The Old Testament records several major military clashes between the Israelites and Amorites including:
- Israel’s victory over Sihon king of Heshbon (Numbers 21:21-32)
- Israel’s victory over Og king of Bashan (Numbers 21:33-35)
- The battle of Gibeon where Israel defeated five Amorite kings (Joshua 10:1-27)
- Joshua’s defeat of the northern Amorite kings at Merom (Joshua 11:1-9)
- Deborah and Barak’s triumph over King Jabin and Sisera (Judges 4-5)
- Gideon’s rhetorical victory over Zebah and Zalmunna (Judges 8:4-21)
- Jephthah’s fight against the Amorites of Gilead (Judges 11:12-33)
- Saul’s wars against the Amalekites and Amorites (1 Samuel 14:47-48)
- David’s battles to subdue the remaining Amorites in Canaan (2 Samuel 21:2; 1 Chronicles 20:1)
Defining Attributes of the Amorites
Based on passages throughout the Bible, here are some of the core traits, practices, and characteristics that defined the Amorites:
- A powerful Semitic tribe who instilled fear in their enemies (Numbers 13:28-29; Deuteronomy 1:27-28)
- Were giants in stature, fuelling legends of their might (Amos 2:9)
- Dwelled in strongly fortified cities in the hills (Numbers 13:28-29)
- Worshipped Canaanite gods under ‘high places’ (Numbers 21:28; 1 Kings 11:5-7)
- Practiced divination, sorcery, and child sacrifice (Deuteronomy 12:31, 18:9-14)
- Morally corrupt, driven by greed and violence (Genesis 15:16)
- Engaged extensively in agriculture, herding, trade, and crafts
- Spoke a distinctive Semitic language close to Canaanite dialects
- Persisted in the land long after initial Israelite conquest (Judges 1:34-36)
The Legacy and Impact of the Amorites
Despite their eventual downfall, the Amorites left an enduring impact in several ways:
- They influenced Canaanite religion and transmitted cultic practices to other groups.
- Their language may have contributed to Hebrew and other Northwest Semitic tongues.
- They established the dynasties that ruled Mesopotamia for over four centuries.
- Amorite kingdoms like Mari and Yamhad were highly advanced for their time.
- Their conflict with Israel became paradigmatic of spiritual warfare against idolatry.
- Heroes like Joshua and David became defined by their Amorite battlefield victories.
So despite fading from history, the Amorites helped shape the cultural and religious landscape of the Ancient Near East. Their influence echoes down to the present day, reminding us of both the heights and depths human civilization can reach when guided by the gods we serve.
Summary of the Amorites’ Place in the Bible
In summary, here are some key facts to remember about the Amorites and their relation to biblical history:
- They were a powerful Semitic tribe who inhabited Canaan before and during Israel’s conquest.
- The Amorites constantly opposed Israel militarily and spiritually as idol worshippers.
- God used Israel’s struggle against them to judge their wickedness but also test Israel’s loyalty.
- Amorite rulers like Sihon and Og became symbols of might and defiance against God.
- Their idolatry and magic caused Israel to also stumble through intermarriage and compromise.
- Joshua, Deborah, Gideon and others are remembered for delivering Israel from the Amorites.
- Their language and culture left an imprint on the fabric of Canaanite society.
So in many ways, the history of the Amorites is intertwined with that of Israel in the periods of conquest, judges, and the early kingdom. Their influence persists as a warning and example of how godless nations can impact God’s people – for good or ill.
