the descendants of one of the sons of Canaan, the most powerful and distinguished of the Canaanitish nations. We find them first noticed in Gen. xiv. 7, "the Amorites that dwelt in Hazeron-tamar," afterwards called Engedi, a city in the wilderness of Judea not far from the Dead Sea. In the promise to Abraham (Gen. xv. 21), the Amorites are specified as one of the nations whose country would be given to his posterity. When the Israelites were about to enter the Promised Land, the Amorites occupied a tract on both sides of the Jordan. They were under two kings—Sihon king of Heshbon, and Og king of Bashan, who "dwelt at Ashtaroth" (Deut. i. 4). Before hostilities commenced messengers were sent to Sihon, requesting permission to pass through his land; but Sihon refused, and came to Jahaz and fought with Israel; and Israel smote him with the edge of the sword, &c. (Num. xxii. 24). Og also gave battle to the Israelites at Edrei, and was totally defeated. Still, after repeated severe defeats, the Amorites, by means of their war-chariots and cavalry, confined the Danites to the hills, and would not suffer them to settle in the plains; they even succeeded in retaining possession of some of the mountainous parts. "The Amorites would dwell in Mount Heres in Aijalon, and in Shaalbim, yet the hand of the house of Joseph prevailed, so that they became tributaries. And the coast of the Amorites was from the going up to Akrabim (the steep of Scorpions), from the rock and upwards" (Judges i. 34-36).