Original Word: אֲמֹרִי
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: Emoriy
Pronunciation: eh-mo-REE
Phonetic Spelling: (em-o-ree')
KJV: Amorite
NASB: Amorites, Amorite
Word Origin: [probably a patronymic from an unused name derived from H559 (אָמַר - said) in the sense of publicity, i.e. prominence]
1. thus, a mountaineer
2. an Emorite, one of the Canaanitish tribes
Probably a patronymic from an unused name derived from 'amar in the sense of publicity, i.e. Prominence; thus, a mountaineer; an Emorite, one of the Canaanitish tribes -- Amorite.
see HEBREW 'amar
1 called son of Canaan Genesis 10:16 (J) 1 Chronicles 1:14 =
2 a chief people dispossessed by Hebrews; (a) living east of Jordan Numbers 21:13 (twice in verse); Numbers 21:25 9t. Numbers + Joshua 24:8 (all E), compare Joshua 2:10; Joshua 9:10 (JE) Deuteronomy 1:4; Deuteronomy 3:2,9 7t. D; also Judges 10:8,11; Judges 11:19,21,23 (twice in verse); 1 Kings 4:19; Psalm 135:11; Psalm 136:19 (Sihon their king Numbers 21:1 +; Sihon & Og Deuteronomy 3:8 + ); (b) living west of Jordan Joshua 10:5,6; Joshua 24:12,15,18 (all E), compare Joshua 7:7 (JE); Joshua 5:1; Joshua 10:12 (both D; compare also Joshua 13:4, q. strike out Di) Judges 1:34,35,36; Judges 6:10; 1 Kings 21:26; 2 Kings 21:11 compare 1 Samuel 21:2; (c) living in south Deuteronomy 1:7,19,20,27,44; compare Genesis 14:7 (west of Dead Sea); (d) in General = ancient inhabitants of Canaan Genesis 15:16 (J or R) Genesis 48:22 (E) Amos 2:9,10; (e) named in list of Canaanitish peoples, to be dispossessed by Israel Exodus 3:8,17; Exodus 13:5; Exodus 33:2; Exodus 34:11; Joshua 3:10; Joshua 9:1 (all J); Deuteronomy 7:1; Deuteronomy 20:17; Joshua 11:3; Joshua 12:8 (all D); Exodus 23:23; Numbers 13:29; Joshua 24:11 (all E); Judges 3:5; 1 Kings 9:20; 2Chronicles 8:7; Ezra 9:1; Nehemiah 9:8; compare Ezekiel 16:3,45; (on these lists compare BuUrgesch 344 ff. & WeJBTh xxi. 602.)
3. adjective, of a people singular Genesis 14:13 Deuteronomy 2:24.
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אֲמֹרִי (’Ĕmōrî, Amorite) designates one of the principal Canaanite peoples descended from Canaan, the son of Ham (Genesis 10:16). Scripture consistently places them in the mountainous regions both east and west of the Jordan, hence the frequent association with "hill country" (Deuteronomy 1:7, 20).
Historical Background and Geographical Distribution
From at least the time of Abram the Amorites occupied strategic highland centers stretching from Hebron in the south (Genesis 13:18) to Bashan in the north (Deuteronomy 3:8). Two main groupings emerge:
1. Western Amorites – dwelling in the hill country of Judah and Ephraim, often intermingled with Jebusites and Hittites (Numbers 13:29; Joshua 10:6).
2. Eastern Amorites – ruled by Sihon of Heshbon and Og of Bashan, controlling the Transjordan from the Arnon to Mount Hermon (Numbers 21:21-35; Deuteronomy 3:1-11).
Their fortified cities, prominence on trade routes, and reputation for formidable warriors made them a dominant power until the Israelite conquest.
Early Biblical Encounters
Abram’s allies Mamre, Eshcol, and Aner were Amorites (Genesis 14:13, 24), illustrating early peaceful relations. Yet by the time of the Exodus the Amorites had become emblematic of the Canaanite moral corruption slated for divine judgment: "In the fourth generation your descendants will return here, for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete" (Genesis 15:16).
Amorites in Covenant Promises
The Abrahamic covenant lists the Amorites among the peoples whose land would be granted to Israel (Genesis 15:21). This pledge re-appears in God’s words to Moses: "I will send an angel before you and drive out the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites" (Exodus 33:2). The repeated mention underscores both God’s faithfulness to promise and His patience until their sin warranted expulsion.
Opposition and Conquest
The Amorites were the first Canaanite nation to confront Israel in force. Sihon’s refusal of peaceful passage (Numbers 21:21-23) led to decisive victory at Jahaz, opening the entire Transjordan. Og soon fell at Edrei, leaving sixty fortified cities in Israelite hands (Deuteronomy 3:4-5). Moses recounted these victories as a foretaste of all Canaan (Deuteronomy 3:21). Joshua later defeated the western coalition led by Adoni-Zedek after the miraculous sun-stand at Gibeon (Joshua 10). The book tallies thirty-one defeated kings, with Sihon and Og given special mention (Joshua 12:2-6), highlighting their representative role.
Land Grant and Tribal Allotments
Territory captured from the Amorite kings was assigned to Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh (Numbers 32:33). Moses emphasized that these parcels were legitimately Israel’s by divine decree, not mere war spoil (Deuteronomy 4:47-49).
Residual Amorite Presence and Israel’s Compromise
Despite sweeping victories, remnant Amorite pockets persisted. "The Amorites confined the children of Dan to the hill country" (Judges 1:34). Their survival contributed to Israel’s cycle of spiritual compromise: "The Israelites lived among the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites" (Judges 3:5), leading to idolatry and oppression.
Prophetic and Poetic Allusions
Prophets used the Amorite as a symbol of pagan greatness humbled by God. Amos 2:9 recalls, "Yet I destroyed the Amorite before them, whose height was like the cedars and who was as strong as the oaks." Ezekiel employs the image in a metaphor for Jerusalem’s ancestry: "Your father was an Amorite and your mother a Hittite" (Ezekiel 16:3), spotlighting spiritual waywardness.
Theological Themes
1. Divine Patience and Justice – Four generations elapsed before judgment fell (Genesis 15:16), affirming God’s longsuffering.
2. Holiness of the Land – The Amorite expulsion underscores that the land cannot tolerate persistent sin (Leviticus 18:24-28).
3. Assurance of Victory – The downfall of towering Amorite kings encouraged Israel to trust God against "giants" (Deuteronomy 3:11; Joshua 14:12).
4. Warning Against Syncretism – Residual Amorite influence illustrates the peril of partial obedience (Judges 2:2-3).
Occurrences Overview
Approximately eighty-seven appearances span the Pentateuch (about forty-five), Joshua and Judges (about twenty-seven), the monarchy narratives (about ten), and the prophets (five). The distribution traces Israel’s entire redemptive journey—from promise, through conquest, to prophetic reflection.
Ministry Implications
• Proclamation: God keeps covenant promises across centuries; hence believers can preach the reliability of His Word.
• Discipleship: The incomplete eradication of Amorite idolatry parallels lingering sin; wholehearted obedience is essential.
• Missions: As Israel was commissioned to displace entrenched paganism with worship of the true God, the church is called to advance the gospel where strongholds remain.
Key References
Genesis 15:16, 21; Exodus 33:2; Numbers 21:21-35; Deuteronomy 1:7, 20; 2:24; 3:1-11; Joshua 10; 12:2-6; Judges 1:34; 3:5; 1 Kings 21:26; Amos 2:9-10; Ezekiel 16:3.
Genesis 14:7
HEB: וְגַם֙ אֶת־ הָ֣אֱמֹרִ֔י הַיֹּשֵׁ֖ב בְּחַֽצְצֹ֥ן
NAS: and also the Amorites, who lived
KJV: of the Amalekites, and also the Amorites, that dwelt
INT: of the Amalekites and also the Amorites lived Hazazon-tamar
Genesis 14:13
HEB: בְּאֵֽלֹנֵ֜י מַמְרֵ֣א הָאֱמֹרִ֗י אֲחִ֤י אֶשְׁכֹּל֙
NAS: of Mamre the Amorite, brother
KJV: of Mamre the Amorite, brother
INT: the oaks of Mamre the Amorite brother of Eshcol
Genesis 15:16
HEB: שָׁלֵ֛ם עֲוֹ֥ן הָאֱמֹרִ֖י עַד־ הֵֽנָּה׃
NAS: for the iniquity of the Amorite is not yet
KJV: for the iniquity of the Amorites [is] not yet
INT: complete the iniquity of the Amorite against here
Genesis 15:21
HEB: וְאֶת־ הָֽאֱמֹרִי֙ וְאֶת־ הַֽכְּנַעֲנִ֔י
NAS: and the Amorite and the Canaanite
KJV: And the Amorites, and the Canaanites,
INT: and the Amorite and the Canaanite and the Girgashite
Genesis 48:22
HEB: לָקַ֙חְתִּי֙ מִיַּ֣ד הָֽאֱמֹרִ֔י בְּחַרְבִּ֖י וּבְקַשְׁתִּֽי׃
NAS: from the hand of the Amorite with my sword
KJV: out of the hand of the Amorite with my sword
INT: took the hand of the Amorite my sword and my bow
Exodus 3:8
HEB: הַֽכְּנַעֲנִי֙ וְהַ֣חִתִּ֔י וְהָֽאֱמֹרִי֙ וְהַפְּרִזִּ֔י וְהַחִוִּ֖י
NAS: and the Hittite and the Amorite and the Perizzite
KJV: and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites,
INT: of the Canaanite and the Hittite and the Amorite and the Perizzite and the Hivite
Exodus 3:17
HEB: הַֽכְּנַעֲנִי֙ וְהַ֣חִתִּ֔י וְהָֽאֱמֹרִי֙ וְהַפְּרִזִּ֔י וְהַחִוִּ֖י
NAS: and the Hittite and the Amorite and the Perizzite
KJV: and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites,
INT: of the Canaanite and the Hittite and the Amorite and the Perizzite and the Hivite
Exodus 13:5
HEB: הַֽ֠כְּנַעֲנִי וְהַחִתִּ֨י וְהָאֱמֹרִ֜י וְהַחִוִּ֣י וְהַיְבוּסִ֗י
NAS: the Hittite, the Amorite, the Hivite
KJV: and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Hivites,
INT: of the Canaanite the Hittite the Amorite the Hivite and the Jebusite
Exodus 23:23
HEB: וֶהֱבִֽיאֲךָ֗ אֶל־ הָֽאֱמֹרִי֙ וְהַ֣חִתִּ֔י וְהַפְּרִזִּי֙
NAS: you and bring you in to [the land of] the Amorites, the Hittites,
KJV: thee, and bring thee in unto the Amorites, and the Hittites,
INT: and bring to the Amorites the Hittites the Perizzites
Exodus 33:2
HEB: אֶת־ הַֽכְּנַעֲנִי֙ הָֽאֱמֹרִ֔י וְהַֽחִתִּי֙ וְהַפְּרִזִּ֔י
NAS: out the Canaanite, the Amorite, the Hittite,
KJV: the Canaanite, the Amorite, and the Hittite,
INT: will drive the Canaanite the Amorite the Hittite the Perizzite
Exodus 34:11
HEB: מִפָּנֶ֗יךָ אֶת־ הָאֱמֹרִי֙ וְהַֽכְּנַעֲנִ֔י וְהַחִתִּי֙
NAS: I am going to drive out the Amorite before
KJV: before thee the Amorite, and the Canaanite,
INT: to drive before the Amorite and the Canaanite the Hittite
Numbers 13:29
HEB: וְ֠הַֽחִתִּי וְהַיְבוּסִ֤י וְהָֽאֱמֹרִי֙ יוֹשֵׁ֣ב בָּהָ֔ר
NAS: and the Jebusites and the Amorites are living
KJV: and the Jebusites, and the Amorites, dwell
INT: and the Hittites and the Jebusites and the Amorites are living the hill
Numbers 21:13
HEB: הַיֹּצֵ֖א מִגְּב֣וּל הָֽאֱמֹרִ֑י כִּ֤י אַרְנוֹן֙
NAS: out of the border of the Amorites, for the Arnon
KJV: of the coasts of the Amorites: for Arnon
INT: comes of the border of the Amorites for the Arnon
Numbers 21:13
HEB: מוֹאָ֖ב וּבֵ֥ין הָאֱמֹרִֽי׃
NAS: between Moab and the Amorites.
KJV: between Moab and the Amorites.
INT: Moab between and the Amorites
Numbers 21:21
HEB: סִיחֹ֥ן מֶֽלֶךְ־ הָאֱמֹרִ֖י לֵאמֹֽר׃
NAS: king of the Amorites, saying,
KJV: king of the Amorites, saying,
INT: Sihon king of the Amorites saying
Numbers 21:25
HEB: בְּכָל־ עָרֵ֣י הָֽאֱמֹרִ֔י בְּחֶשְׁבּ֖וֹן וּבְכָל־
NAS: the cities of the Amorites, in Heshbon,
KJV: in all the cities of the Amorites, in Heshbon,
INT: all the cities of the Amorites Heshbon all
Numbers 21:26
HEB: סִיחֹ֛ן מֶ֥לֶךְ הָאֱמֹרִ֖י הִ֑וא וְה֣וּא
NAS: king of the Amorites, who
KJV: the king of the Amorites, who had fought
INT: of Sihon king of the Amorites who who
Numbers 21:29
HEB: בַּשְּׁבִ֔ית לְמֶ֥לֶךְ אֱמֹרִ֖י סִיחֽוֹן׃
NAS: into captivity, To an Amorite king,
KJV: unto Sihon king of the Amorites.
INT: captive king to an Amorite Sihon
Numbers 21:31
HEB: יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל בְּאֶ֖רֶץ הָאֱמֹרִֽי׃
NAS: lived in the land of the Amorites.
KJV: dwelt in the land of the Amorites.
INT: Israel the land of the Amorites
Numbers 21:32
HEB: ק) אֶת־ הָאֱמֹרִ֥י אֲשֶׁר־ שָֽׁם׃
NAS: and dispossessed the Amorites who
KJV: thereof, and drove out the Amorites that [were] there.
INT: villages cast out the Amorites who there
Numbers 21:34
HEB: לְסִיחֹן֙ מֶ֣לֶךְ הָֽאֱמֹרִ֔י אֲשֶׁ֥ר יוֹשֵׁ֖ב
NAS: king of the Amorites, who
KJV: king of the Amorites, which dwelt
INT: to Sihon king of the Amorites who lived
Numbers 22:2
HEB: עָשָׂ֥ה יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל לָֽאֱמֹרִֽי׃
NAS: that Israel had done to the Amorites.
KJV: had done to the Amorites.
INT: had done Israel to the Amorites
Numbers 32:33
HEB: סִיחֹן֙ מֶ֣לֶךְ הָֽאֱמֹרִ֔י וְאֶת־ מַמְלֶ֔כֶת
NAS: king of the Amorites and the kingdom
KJV: king of the Amorites, and the kingdom
INT: of Sihon king of the Amorites and the kingdom of Og
Numbers 32:39
HEB: וַיּ֖וֹרֶשׁ אֶת־ הָאֱמֹרִ֥י אֲשֶׁר־ בָּֽהּ׃
NAS: it, and dispossessed the Amorites who
KJV: it, and dispossessed the Amorite which [was] in it.
INT: and took and dispossessed the Amorites who
87 Occurrences
Strong's Hebrew 567
87 Occurrences
’ĕ·mō·rî — 2 Occ.
hā·’ĕ·mō·rî — 71 Occ.
lā·’ĕ·mō·rî — 1 Occ.
wə·hā·’ĕ·mō·rî — 13 Occ.