אָמוֹן

אָמוֹן

a throng of people

Definition

The Hebrew noun אָמוֹן (ʼâmôwn) refers to a large, assembled group of people, specifically a 'throng' or 'multitude.' It describes a gathered crowd, often with a sense of collective identity or purpose. In its three biblical occurrences, it consistently carries this meaning, though the specific context varies. In Jeremiah 46:25, it refers to the assembled population of the city of Thebes, while in Jeremiah 52:15 and Nahum 3:8, it describes the general populace or common people of Jerusalem and Thebes, respectively, often in contexts of judgment or exile.

Biblical Usage

This word is used exclusively in prophetic books (Jeremiah and Nahum) in contexts of divine judgment against powerful cities. It appears in oracles pronouncing doom on foreign nations (Thebes in Jeremiah 46:25 and Nahum 3:8) and in a historical narrative about the fall of Jerusalem (Jeremiah 52:15). The pattern of usage shows it describing the assembled inhabitants of a city, particularly the non-combatant or general populace who are affected by conquest and exile.

Etymology

אָמוֹן (ʼâmôwn) is a less common variation of the more frequent noun הָמוֹן (hāmôn, H1995), which also means 'multitude,' 'crowd,' or 'tumult.' Both words share a root (המן, h-m-n) conveying the idea of a noisy, bustling throng. The variation in the initial letter (aleph vs. he) is a known phonetic shift in Hebrew, and the core meaning remains consistent between the two forms.

Semantic Range

While the word itself is a common noun for a crowd, its usage in prophetic judgment oracles gives it theological weight. It highlights the comprehensive scope of God's judgment, which falls not only on kings and armies but on the entire assembled population of a rebellious city. Understanding this term enriches reading by emphasizing the corporate nature of both sin and consequence in the prophetic writings. In the ancient Near East, a city's identity and strength were tied to its population. A thriving 'multitude' (ʼâmôwn) signified power, prosperity, and security. The prophets' declaration that this very multitude would be taken into exile or fall to an enemy was a powerful image of complete societal collapse and the stripping away of a city's human resources and vitality. הָמוֹן (hāmôn, H1995) — The more common synonym, with an identical meaning of 'multitude,' but often with a stronger connotation of noise or commotion. קָהָל (qāhāl, H6951) — An assembly or congregation, often with a formal, convened purpose, unlike the more general 'throng' of ʼâmôwn.

Word Details