אֱמֹרִי
an Emorite, one of the Canaanitish tribes
Definition
The אֱמֹרִי (Emorite) refers to a specific Canaanite people group, often mentioned as one of the nations inhabiting the land of Canaan before the Israelite conquest (Genesis 15:21, Exodus 3:8). In the Bible, they are frequently portrayed as a powerful and prominent hill-dwelling tribe, with kingdoms east and west of the Jordan River, such as those of King Sihon and King Og (Numbers 21:21-35). The term can sometimes function as a broader, representative label for all the pre-Israelite inhabitants of Canaan (e.g., Genesis 15:16, Amos 2:9-10).
Biblical Usage
The word appears 86 times, primarily in the Pentateuch, Joshua, and the historical books, detailing the conquest and settlement periods. It is used in lists of Canaanite nations (Genesis 10:16), in God's promises of the land (Exodus 3:17), in narratives of conflict (Joshua 10:5), and in retrospective historical summaries (1 Kings 21:26). A key pattern is its dual usage: for specific kingdoms east of the Jordan (Deuteronomy 3:8) and for general inhabitants of the hill country west of the Jordan (Joshua 10:6).
Etymology
Derived from an unused root likely related to H559 (אָמַר), meaning 'to say' or 'to command,' suggesting prominence or publicity. A common interpretation is 'the prominent ones' or 'mountaineers,' fitting their description as inhabitants of the hill country. It is a gentilic (patronymic) noun, identifying a people group.
Semantic Range
The Amorites are central to the theme of God's judgment and the fulfillment of His covenant promises. Their iniquity, cited as reaching its full measure (Genesis 15:16), justifies God's command for Israel to dispossess them, demonstrating His justice. Their defeat showcases God's power in giving the land to Israel (Deuteronomy 7:1-2, Joshua 24:8). Understanding them enriches reading by highlighting the moral dimension of the conquest and God's sovereignty over nations.
Archaeologically, the Amorites (Amurru) were a West Semitic people known in ancient Near Eastern texts from the late 3rd millennium BC, often associated with nomadic or semi-nomadic groups who established kingdoms. The biblical portrayal aligns with this, depicting them as formidable city-builders and warriors with established kingships. The modern reader should understand them not as a vague 'native' population but as a specific, historically-attested ethnic and political entity.
כְּנַעֲנִי (Kᵉnaʻănîy, H3669) — A broader term for all inhabitants of Canaan, while 'Amorite' can be a subset or representative head. חִתִּי (Ḥittîy, H2850) — Another distinct Canaanite nation, often listed alongside the Amorites (Exodus 3:8).
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.
Full methodology & sources →