Difference between revisions of "Amorites"

<p> There is some uncertainty concerning the identity of the [[Amorites]] mentioned in the Bible, for the name ‘Amorite’ had a variety of usages in early [[Bible]] times. Non-biblical records suggest that the word meant ‘westerner’ and referred to the early Semitic peoples who migrated to ancient [[Babylonia]] from Western [[Mesopotamia]] and Syria. They conquered the formerly powerful kingdom of Ur, and soon spread their rule throughout Lower, Upper and Western Mesopotamia. </p> <p> Later these Amorites migrated down into Palestine, and were well established in certain areas by the time [[Abraham]] arrived (Genesis 14:7; [[Genesis]] 14:13). They intermarried so widely with the original [[Canaanites]] that it became common practice to use the words ‘Canaanite’ and ‘Amorite’ interchangeably as names for the whole mixed population of [[Canaan]] (Genesis 15:16; Joshua 24:15; Joshua 24:18). </p> <p> This intermarriage may explain why the biblical records indicate that the Amorites were descended from Ham, whereas non-biblical records suggest they were descended from [[Shem]] (Semites). Because most of the original Canaanites were descendants of Ham, the Amorites who later became Canaanites could regard both [[Ham]] and Shem as their ancestors (Genesis 10:1; Genesis 10:6; Genesis 10:15-16). Nevertheless, some [[Amorite]] tribal groups in Canaan maintained their distinct identity, as did other tribal groups (Exodus 3:8; Exodus 13:5; Exodus 23:23; Joshua 9:1; Joshua 12:8). </p> <p> [[Israel]] and the Amorites </p> <p> [[Prior]] to Israel’s migration from [[Egypt]] to Canaan, the Amorite king [[Sihon]] had conquered all the [[Ammonite]] and [[Moabite]] territory east of the [[Jordan]] River as far south as the [[Arnon]] [[River.]] He made the former Moabite town [[Heshbon]] his capital (Numbers 21:26). When Sihon went to war against the journeying Israelites, the [[Israelites]] overthrew his army and seized his territory (Numbers 21:21-25). They also seized the adjoining northern territory of Bashan, which was ruled by another Amorite king (Numbers 21:33-35). This combined Amorite territory east of Jordan later became the homeland of the [[Israelite]] tribes of Reuben, [[Gad]] and the eastern half of [[Manasseh]] (Numbers 32:33). </p> <p> Amorite kings west of Jordan (i.e. in Canaan) likewise lost their territory to the conquering Israelites (Joshua 5:1; Joshua 10:5; Joshua 11:1-8). This area became the homeland of the remaining nine and a half Israelite tribes. </p> <p> At various times throughout their history, the Israelites obtained cheap labour by forcing the Amorites and other conquered peoples to work as slaves on government projects (Judges 1:35; 1 Kings 9:20-21). In time the Amorites were absorbed into Israel and so disappeared as a distinct race. But their name survived as a general term for all the former inhabitants of Canaan (1 Kings 21:26; 2 Kings 21:11; cf. Genesis 15:16). </p>