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Amnon
The eldest son of David, killed by Absalom for wronging their sister Tamar.
What we know — and how we know it
Bible — stated in scripture (with verse) · 3
Ancient writers — non-biblical testimony · 1
Scholarly — supported scholarly belief · 1
Origin & birthplace
Family & lineage
Tribe & people
BibleOf the tribe of Judah.
2 Samuel 13:28
Life, role & deeds
Scan by NYPL — Public domain (via Wikimedia Commons)
Ancient writersJosephus retells the story of David's firstborn Amnon in his Jewish Antiquities (Book 7), including his assault on his half-sister Tamar and his killing by Absalom. This is a first-century paraphrase of the biblical narrative rather than independent attestation, so it confirms the tradition, not the man.
Josephus, Jewish Antiquities 7.162-178, paraphrasing 2 Samuel 13 (Amnon's assault on his half-sister Tamar and his killing by Absalom); a first-century retelling, not independent attestation.
Name & titles
ScholarlyThe name Amnon ('Amnon) derives from the Hebrew root '-m-n, 'to be faithful/trustworthy' (the same root behind 'amen'), so it means something like 'faithful' or 'reliable' — a meaning many commentators note as pointedly ironic given his conduct.
Onomastic derivation from root '-m-n; standard Hebrew lexical analysis.
Where in scripture
2 SamuelFamily
In their own words — 5 recorded sayings
“And he said to him, O son of the king, why are you getting thinner day by day? will you not say what your trouble is? And Amnon said to him, I am in love with Tamar, my brother Absalom's sister.” — 2 Samuel 13:4
“So Amnon went to bed and made himself seem ill: and when the king came to see him, Amnon said to the king, Please let my sister Tamar come and make me one or two cakes before my eyes, so that I may take food from her hand.” — 2 Samuel 13:6
“And she took the cooking-pot, and put the cakes before him, but he would not take them. And Amnon said, Let everyone go away from me. So they all went out. Then Amnon said to Tamar, Take the food and come into my bedroom, so that I may take it from your hand. So Tamar took the cakes she had made and went with them into her brother Amnon's bedroom. And when she took them to give them to him, he put his arms round her and said, Come to bed, my sister.” — 2 Samuel 13:9-11
“Then Amnon was full of hate for her, hating her with a hate greater than his earlier love for her. And he said to her, Get up and be gone.” — 2 Samuel 13:15
“Then he gave a cry to the servant who was waiting on him and said, Put this woman out, and let the door be locked after her.” — 2 Samuel 13:17
Speaker attribution: Clear Bible MACULA (CC BY 4.0). Wording: Bible in Basic English (public domain).
Places in their life
Photo: Godot13 — CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
In art
