A people descended from Emer, the fourth son of Canaan, Genesis 10:16 . They first peopled the mountains west of the Dead sea, near Hebron; but afterwards extended their limits, and took possession of the finest provinces of Moab and Ammon, on the east between the brooks Jabbok and Arnon, Numbers 13:29 21:21-31 Joshua 5:1 Judges 11:13 . Moses took this country from their king, Sihon. The lands which the Amorites possessed on this side Jordan were given to the tribe of Judah, and those beyond the Jordan to the tribes of Reuben and Gad. The name Amorite is often taken in Scripture for Canaanite in general, Genesis 15:16 Amos 2:9 . See CANAANITES .

By the expression, "Thy father was an Amorite and thy mother a Hittite." Ezekiel 16:3 , God reminds the Jews that they were naturally no more worthy of divine favor than the worst of the heathen Canaanites.