Pronunciation Guide: ah-MONE (ᾱ as in father, ώ as in tone)

Basic Definition

Strong’s G300: Ἀμών refers to Amon, the son of Manasseh and father of Josiah, who served as the fourteenth king of Judah (642-640 BC). His name, derived from Hebrew אָמוֹן (ʾāmōn), carries connections to both Egyptian deity nomenclature and Hebrew meanings related to “master craftsman” or “skilled worker.”

Etymology and Morphology

• Proper noun of Hebrew origin (אָמוֹן)
• Used exclusively in genealogical contexts in the New Testament
• Appears in royal genealogical records
• Maintains consistent form across biblical usage

Ἀμών Morphology:

• Ἀμών (nominative singular) – Amon
• Ἀμώνος (genitive singular) – of Amon
• Ἀμώνι (dative singular) – to/for Amon
• Ἀμώνα (accusative singular) – Amon (as direct object)

Origin & History

The name Ἀμών entered biblical Greek through the Septuagint’s translation of the Hebrew אָמוֹן, appearing in both historical narratives and genealogical records. In classical Greek literature, while the word form exists, it primarily appears in discussions of Egyptian theology, where Amun/Amon was a principal deity. Josephus, in his “Antiquities of the Jews” (10.3.1), provides additional historical context about King Amon, though he focuses primarily on the king’s negative spiritual legacy.

The Septuagint consistently translates the Hebrew אָמוֹן as Ἀμών in both Chronicles and Kings, establishing a standardized Greek form for this royal name. Early church fathers like Eusebius in his “Ecclesiastical History” reference Amon primarily in discussions of Messiah’s genealogy and as an example of how divine grace can overcome familial patterns of sin.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• King of Judah who ruled for two years
• Son in the Davidic royal lineage
• Figure in Messianic genealogy

Ἀμών Translation Options:

• Amon – Standard transliteration preferred in most English versions
• Amōn – Academic transliteration showing vowel length
• Amon King of Judah – Expanded form for clarity in historical contexts

Biblical Usage

In the New Testament, Ἀμών appears exclusively in Matthew 1:10 as part of the Messianic genealogy. Its placement is significant, appearing in a sequence that demonstrates both the preservation of the Davidic line despite periods of spiritual decline and the faithfulness of God in maintaining His covenant promises.

The Old Testament accounts provide the historical background for this brief New Testament mention, detailing Amon’s tragic reign but also highlighting God’s faithfulness in preserving the Messianic line despite human failure.

Key references:

• Matthew 1:10 “Manasseh was the father of Amon [Ἀμών], Amon the father of Josiah”
• 2 Kings 21:18-26 (Hebrew parallel account)
• 2 Chronicles 33:20-25 (Hebrew parallel account)

Cultural Insights

In ancient Near Eastern culture, names often carried significant theological and cultural meaning. The name Amon, while sharing phonetic similarity with the Egyptian deity Amun, takes on particular significance in the Hebrew context. The possible word play between אָמוֹן (ʾāmōn) and אָמַן (ʾāman, “faithfulness”) highlights an ironic contrast between the meaning of the name and the character of the king who bore it.

The cultural practice of recording genealogies was particularly important in Jewish society, especially for royal lineages. The inclusion of Amon in Matthew’s genealogy, despite his negative historical legacy, demonstrates the Jewish understanding that divine purposes often work through imperfect human vessels.

Theological Significance

The appearance of Ἀμών in the Messiah’s genealogy presents a powerful testimony to God’s sovereignty and grace. Despite Amon’s brief and spiritually destructive reign, God preserved the Messianic line through him. This preservation exemplifies how יהוה (Yahweh) works His divine purposes even through those who oppose Him.

The contrast between Amon and his son Josiah further highlights God’s redemptive work across generations. While Amon represented one of Judah’s most idolatrous kings, his son Josiah became one of its greatest reformers, demonstrating that God’s grace can break generational patterns of sin.

Personal Application

Amon’s inclusion in the Messianic genealogy reminds us that God’s purposes are not thwarted by human failure. For believers struggling with family histories of sin or feeling disqualified by past failures, this offers hope that God can work through any life surrendered to Him.

This account also challenges us to consider our own legacy. While Amon’s personal choices led to tragedy, God’s faithfulness to His covenant promises remained unchanged. This encourages us to trust in God’s larger purposes even when we cannot see their immediate fulfillment.

Related Words

• βασιλεύς (basileus, bah-sih-LUCE) – king, sovereign; connects to Amon’s royal status See G935
• διαδοχή (diadochē, dee-ah-doh-KHAY) – succession, particularly royal succession See G1237
• γενεαλογία (genealogia, geh-neh-ah-loh-GEE-ah) – genealogy, family lineage See G1076
• κληρονόμος (klēronomos, klay-roh-NO-mos) – heir, especially of royal inheritance See G2818

Did you Know?

• The name Amon appears in ancient Egyptian texts as a divine name nearly 2000 years before this biblical king, showing the enduring influence of Egyptian culture on the ancient Near East.
• Archaeological discoveries from Jerusalem’s City of David have uncovered royal seals from the period of Amon’s reign, providing tangible connections to this biblical figure.
• The time between Amon’s reign and the writing of Matthew’s gospel was approximately 600 years, demonstrating the remarkable preservation of genealogical records by the Jewish people.

Remember This

Ἀμών stands as an eternal testament that God’s redemptive purposes prevail even through the darkest chapters of human history, weaving every thread—even those we might discard—into His perfect tapestry of salvation.