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Amnon

Biblical
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

Eldest son of King David who committed incest with his half-sister Tamar, leading to his eventual murder by her brother Absalom.

Detailed Definition
Amnon’s lust for Tamar led to her violation and his eventual murder by Absalom. His story exposes the corruption within David’s household and the cycle of violence stemming from unchecked desire. In poetry, Amnon symbolizes the destructive power of passion without restraint, the failure of paternal justice, and the tragic unraveling of royal legacy through moral decay.
Example
Example in poetry:
In John Milton’s "Paradise Lost," Amnon’s rape of Tamar (2 Samuel 13) illustrates the corruption of desire; In Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s "Aurora Leigh," Amnon symbolizes predatory lust; In Alfred Tennyson’s "King David," Amnon’s crime triggers a cycle of violence; In William Cowper’s hymns, Amnon’s fate warns against unchecked passion; In George Herbert’s "The Church-porch," Amnon’s deception illustrates moral decay; In Christina Rossetti’s "The World," Amnon represents the perversion of love.
Additional Notes
Amnon: David’s eldest son who raped Tamar and was later killed by Absalom (2 Samuel 13). Amnon represents lust, entitlement, and the corruption of royal privilege. His story is a dark exploration of familial betrayal and the cycle of violence. In poetry, he is a figure of caution—useful in narratives about consent, justice delayed, or the unraveling of a household. Contrast with Joseph (Gen 39) for differing responses to desire.
Also Known As
Amnon son of David Amnon the Violator
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