Ἐμμόρ (Emmor)
Emmor
Hamor
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The proper noun Emmor refers to Hamor, a Canaanite leader mentioned in Acts 7:16. Stephen uses this name when recounting the history of Israel’s ancestors, specifically noting that Jacob bought a plot of land from the sons of Emmor at Shechem. This reference connects the New Testament narrative back to the patriarchal accounts found in Genesis.
The word is of Hebrew origin, corresponding to the name חֲמוֹר (Chamor). While the Hebrew root can mean "donkey," in this context it functions as a personal name for the father of Shechem. The New Testament preserves the Greek transliteration of this ancient Semitic name without adding interpretive commentary, treating it simply as a historical identifier within Stephen’s speech before the Sanhedrin.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
When Stephen speaks before the Sanhedrin, he traces the history of Israel back to its roots, mentioning Emmor as the father of Shechem. This name appears in Acts 7:16, linking the New Testament narrative directly to the ancient promises made to Abraham and Jacob. It reminds us that God’s plan unfolds through real people and specific locations, grounding our faith in historical reality.
The mention of Emmor highlights a moment of transaction and covenant in the patriarchs' journey. Though the name itself may seem obscure, it serves as a bridge between the Old Testament accounts of land acquisition and the New Testament witness of Stephen. It shows how Scripture preserves these details to remind us of God's faithfulness across generations.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- of Hamor1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- Ἑμμὼρ1×
Key Verses
-
Acts 7:16
and they were brought back to Shechem and laid in the tomb that Abraham bought for a price in silver from the children of Hamor of Shechem.
This verse connects the burial site of the patriarchs to Abraham's purchase from Hamor, showing continuity in God's promises.