The Amorites were a Semitic people, related to the Canaanites by language. They first lived in what is now north-central Syria. They later moved into Canaan, settling on both sides of the Jordan River, mainly in the hill country.
During Israel's conquest, many Amorites lived in Transjordan (the region east of the Jordan River), north of the Arnon River. Their capital was at Heshbon (see also study note on Numbers 21:13). The Israelites had already displaced many of them before this time (Numbers 22:21–35).
Bashan was another Amorite area, located north of the Yarmuk River and east of the Sea of Galilee. It was famous for its valuable livestock (compare Psalm 22:12; Ezekiel 39:18; Amos 4:1 and study note). Its capital was Ashtaroth.
The kings Sihon and Og are not known outside the Bible (see Numbers 21:21–35).