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 described as descendants of Canaan, the son of Ham, and are listed among the nations that the Israelites were commanded to drive out of the Promised Land (Genesis 10:16; Deuteronomy 7:1).

Historical Context and Characteristics

The Amorites are first mentioned in Genesis 10:16 as part of the Table of Nations. They were known for their mountainous dwellings, as indicated by their name, which is derived from a term meaning "highlanders" or "mountain people." The Amorites occupied a significant portion of the land west of the Jordan River, including the hill country and the region east of the Jordan, which later became the territory of the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh.

The Amorites were known for their strength and military prowess. In Numbers 13:29, they are described as living in the hill country, and their presence was a source of fear for the Israelite spies. The Amorites' cities were often fortified, and they were considered a powerful adversary.

Biblical Accounts of Conflict

The Israelites encountered the Amorites during their journey to the Promised Land. In Numbers 21:21-25, the Israelites requested passage through the land of the Amorite king Sihon, but he refused and attacked them. The Israelites, under God's guidance, defeated Sihon and took possession of his land. Similarly, the Israelites defeated Og, the king of Bashan, another Amorite ruler (Numbers 21:33-35).

Despite these victories, the complete extermination of the Amorites was not achieved. In Joshua 10, the Amorite kings formed a coalition against the Israelites, leading to the famous battle where God caused the sun to stand still. Joshua 10:12-14 records this miraculous event, which resulted in a significant victory for Israel. However, remnants of the Amorite population continued to exist in the land.

Incomplete Conquest and Continued Presence

The book of Judges highlights the incomplete conquest of the Amorites. Judges 1:34-36 notes that the Amorites forced the tribe of Dan into the hill country, preventing them from settling in the plains. This indicates that the Amorites retained control over certain regions, despite Israel's efforts to drive them out.

The persistence of the Amorites and other Canaanite tribes is attributed to Israel's disobedience and failure to fully carry out God's commands. Judges 2:1-3 records the Angel of the LORD rebuking the Israelites for making covenants with the inhabitants of the land and failing to tear down their altars. As a result, God declared that He would no longer drive out the remaining nations, and they would become a snare to Israel.

Cultural and Religious Influence

The Amorites, like other Canaanite tribes, practiced idolatry and engaged in religious practices that were abominable to the LORD. Their continued presence in the land posed a spiritual threat to the Israelites, leading to periods of apostasy and idolatry among God's people. The influence of the Amorites and their gods is evident in the recurring cycles of sin and repentance described in the book of Judges.

Legacy and Significance

The Amorites serve as a reminder of the consequences of incomplete obedience to God's commands. Their enduring presence in the land of Canaan illustrates the challenges faced by the Israelites in maintaining their covenant relationship with God amidst external influences. The narrative of the Amorites underscores the importance of faithfulness and the dangers of compromise with the surrounding culture.Judges 1:34-36
And the Amorites forced the children of Dan into the mountain: for they would not suffer them to come down to the valley:
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Judges 3:1-3,5-8
Now these are the nations which the LORD left, to prove Israel by them, even as many of Israel as had not known all the wars of Canaan;
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1 Samuel 7:14
And the cities which the Philistines had taken from Israel were restored to Israel, from Ekron even to Gath; and the coasts thereof did Israel deliver out of the hands of the Philistines. And there was peace between Israel and the Amorites.
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2 Samuel 21:2
And the king called the Gibeonites, and said to them; (now the Gibeonites were not of the children of Israel, but of the remnant of the Amorites; and the children of Israel had sworn to them: and Saul sought to slay them in his zeal to the children of Israel and Judah.)
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1 Kings 9:20,21
And all the people that were left of the Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites, which were not of the children of Israel,
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2 Chronicles 8:7
As for all the people that were left of the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, which were not of Israel,
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The Book of Jubilees
... alios hostile odium." Ammon and Moab, the Edomites and Amorites, are exhibited as ...
They were to be exterminated, not merely for their enormous wickedness which ...
//christianbookshelf.org/deane/pseudepigrapha/the book of jubilees.htm

The Israelites
... himself king of "the land of the Amorites," as Palestine ... the tribe of Benjamin was
almost exterminated by its ... Kenite, and Edomite; and it was not long before ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter i the israelites.htm

Chapter ix
... the upper hand over man and exterminated him ... Joshua the Canaanites, collectively
also called Amorites, were ripe ... We render "Cursed is Canaan" not "be" (AV); and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter ix.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... There again they were confronted by the Amorites, but in lesser numbers, and not
so securely entrenched within their fortresses as their fellow-countrymen in ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

The First Chaldaean Empire and the Hyksos in Egypt
... The most ancient cuneiform tablets of Syrian origin are not older than the ... think
that it should be replaced by Amuru, Amurru, the country of the Amorites. ...
/.../chapter ithe first chaldaean empire.htm

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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