אָמוֹן
Amon, the name of three Israelites
Definition
Amon (אָמוֹן) is a proper name referring to three distinct individuals in the Old Testament. Most notably, it designates Amon, the wicked king of Judah (2 Kings 21:18-26), son of Manasseh and father of Josiah, whose brief two-year reign continued the idolatrous practices of his father. A second Amon is the governor of the city of Samaria under King Ahab (1 Kings 22:26, 2 Chronicles 18:25). A third, lesser-known Amon is listed among the descendants of Solomon (1 Chronicles 3:14). The name is identical to the Hebrew word for 'craftsman' or 'master workman' (H525), though its application as a personal name is distinct.
Biblical Usage
The name Amon appears exclusively as a personal name in the Old Testament, primarily in historical narratives. Its most frequent usage is in 2 Kings 21 and 2 Chronicles 33, detailing the life and reign of King Amon of Judah. It also appears in the context of the northern kingdom's administration (1 Kings 22:26, 2 Chronicles 18:25) and in genealogical lists (1 Chronicles 3:14, Nehemiah 7:59). The pattern shows it used for both Judean royalty and Israelite officials.
Etymology
The name Amon (H526) is linguistically identical to the common noun אָמוֹן (H525), meaning 'artisan,' 'skilled worker,' or 'master craftsman,' possibly derived from the root אָמַן ('aman) relating to firmness or skill. As a personal name, it likely carried a sense of 'trustworthy' or 'skillful,' though its exact semantic connection when applied to individuals is not explicitly defined in the biblical text.
Semantic Range
King Amon of Judah serves as a significant theological counterpoint in the narrative of Judah's kings. His reign (2 Chronicles 33:21-23) exemplifies the consequences of entrenched idolatry and rejecting the reforms of his grandfather Hezekiah, highlighting the themes of covenant faithfulness, generational sin, and the need for repentance. His story sets the stage for the major reforms of his son Josiah, illustrating God's patience and the pivotal role of individual kings in leading the nation toward or away from Yahweh.
As a personal name meaning 'craftsman' or 'trustworthy,' Amon fits within a common ancient Near Eastern practice of using positive attributes or vocational terms for names. The reign of King Amon of Judah reflects the intense political and religious struggles of the late monarchic period, where loyalty to Yahweh contended with popular Canaanite and Assyrian religious practices. His assassination by court officials (2 Kings 21:23) underscores the instability and factionalism within the Judean court.
No direct synonyms as a proper name. The related common noun is: אָמוֹן ('āmôn, H525) — the common noun meaning 'craftsman' or 'master workman,' as in Proverbs 8:30.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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