of Hebrew origin (חֲמוֹר); Emmor (i.e. Chamor), a Canaanite:--Emmor.
Transliteration:Emmór
Pronunciation:em-mor'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
G1697 Emmór is a direct transliteration of the Hebrew proper noun `{{H2544}}` Chamor (חֲמוֹר). The underlying Hebrew root `{{H2543}}` chamor refers to a "donkey" or "ass." Therefore, the name "Chamor" (and by extension "Emmor") carries the semantic nuance of "donkey" or "he-ass." As a proper noun, its primary function is to identify a specific historical individual, limiting its semantic range to that person.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The Greek transliteration G1697 Emmór appears only once in the New Testament, specifically in [[Acts 7:16]]. In this passage, Stephen, while delivering his defense before the Sanhedrin, recounts the history of Israel's patriarchs. He states that Jacob and the patriarchs were buried in a tomb that Abraham (or more accurately, Jacob, as per the Old Testament account) had purchased for a sum of money from the "sons of Emmor" in Shechem. This New Testament reference directly correlates with the Old Testament narratives found in [[Genesis 33:19]] and [[Joshua 24:32]], where Jacob purchases a parcel of land from the "sons of Hamor" (Chamor, `{{H2544}}`), the father of Shechem. Hamor was the Hivite prince whose son, also named Shechem, defiled Dinah, Jacob's daughter, leading to the dramatic events recorded in Genesis 34. The mention of "Emmor" in Acts serves as a precise historical anchor, demonstrating Stephen's detailed knowledge of the ancestral narratives and linking the New Testament audience to the foundational history of God's covenant people.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most directly related word is the Hebrew original, `{{H2544}}` Chamor (חֲמוֹר), from which G1697 Emmór is derived. The common Hebrew noun `{{H2543}}` chamor (חֲמוֹר), meaning "donkey" or "ass," is the etymological root of the proper name. Conceptually, G1697 Emmór is intrinsically linked to the geographical location of Shechem, the patriarchal narratives concerning Jacob and his family, and the broader theme of land acquisition in Canaan. The interaction between Jacob and the sons of Emmor highlights the complex relationship between the patriarchs and the Canaanite inhabitants, encompassing both peaceful transactions (like land purchase) and significant conflict.
### Theological Significance
While G1697 Emmór itself is a proper noun with no inherent theological meaning beyond its identificatory function, its inclusion in the biblical text carries significant implications. Its presence in [[Acts 7:16]] underscores the historical veracity and continuity of the biblical narrative, demonstrating Stephen's deep and accurate knowledge of the Old Testament. This reinforces the reliability of the scriptural record, highlighting the seamless connection between the Old and New Covenants. The transaction involving Emmor's sons and Jacob serves as a tangible example of the patriarchs' initial, albeit partial, appropriation of the promised land through legitimate means of purchase, foreshadowing the eventual full inheritance granted by God. Furthermore, the episode implicitly points to the complex and often challenging interactions between God's chosen people and the indigenous inhabitants of Canaan, a recurring theme throughout salvation history. Thus, the theological significance of G1697 Emmór lies in its contribution to the historical grounding and interconnectedness of the divine narrative.
### Summary
G1697 Emmór is a Greek transliteration of the Hebrew proper name `{{H2544}}` Chamor, meaning "donkey." It appears uniquely in the New Testament in [[Acts 7:16]], where it refers to the Canaanite father whose sons sold a burial plot in Shechem to Jacob. This reference directly links Stephen's historical recitation to the Old Testament accounts in Genesis and Joshua, affirming the historical continuity and accuracy of the biblical narrative. While simply a proper noun, its inclusion underscores the reliability of Scripture, connects the New Testament audience to the foundational patriarchal history of land acquisition, and subtly highlights the complex relationship between Israel's ancestors and the inhabitants of Canaan. Its primary theological contribution lies in its role in anchoring the New Testament account firmly within the historical framework of the Old Testament.
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