Ammonite
The usual name of the descendants of Ammon, the son of Lot (Gen 19:38). From the very beginning (Deut 2:16–20) of their history till they are lost sight of (Judg 5:2), this tribe is closely associated with the Moabites (Judg 10:11; 2 Chr 20:1; Zeph 2:8). Both of these tribes hired Balaam to curse Israel (Deut 23:4). The Ammonites were probably more of a predatory tribe, moving from place to place, while the Moabites were more settled. They inhabited the country east of the Jordan and north of Moab and the Dead Sea, from which they had expelled the Zamzummims or Zuzims (Deut 2:20; Gen 14:5). They are known as the Beni-ammi (Gen 19:38), Ammi or Ammon being worshipped as their chief god. They were of Semitic origin, and closely related to the Hebrews in blood and language. They showed no kindness to the Israelites when passing through their territory, and therefore they were prohibited from “entering the congregation of the Lord to the tenth generation” (Deut 23:3). They afterwards became hostile to Israel (Judg 3:13). Jephthah waged war against them, and “took twenty cities with a very great slaughter” (Judg 11:33). They were again signally defeated by Saul (1 Sam 11:11). David also defeated them and their allies the Syrians (2 Sam 10:6–14), and took their chief city, Rabbah, with much spoil (2 Sam 10:14; 2 Sam 12:26–31). The subsequent events of their history are noted in 2 Chr 20:25; 2 Chr 26:8; Jer 49:1; Ezek 25:3, Ezek 25:6. One of Solomon’s wives was Naamah, an Ammonite. She was the mother of Rehoboam (1 Kgs 14:31; 2 Chr 12:13).
The prophets predicted fearful judgments against the Ammonites because of their hostility to Israel (Zeph 2:8; Jer 49:1–6; Ezek 25:1–5, Ezek 25:10; Amos 1:13–15).
The national idol worshipped by this people was Molech or Milcom, at whose altar they offered human sacrifices (1 Kgs 11:5, 1 Kgs 11:7). The high places built for this idol by Solomon, at the instigation of his Ammonitish wives, were not destroyed till the time of Josiah (2 Kgs 23:13).
Named in the Bible
9 verses
- Deuteronomy 23:3 An Ammonite or Moabite shall not enter into the congregation of the LORD; even to their tenth generation shall they not enter into the congregation of the LORD for ever:
- 1 Samuel 11:1 Then Nahash the Ammonite came up, and encamped against Jabeshgilead: and all the men of Jabesh said unto Nahash, Make a covenant with us, and we will serve thee.
- 1 Samuel 11:2 And Nahash the Ammonite answered them, On this condition will I make a covenant with you, that I may thrust out all your right eyes, and lay it for a reproach upon all Israel.
- 2 Samuel 23:37 Zelek the Ammonite, Naharai the Beerothite, armourbearer to Joab the son of Zeruiah,
- 1 Chronicles 11:39 Zelek the Ammonite, Naharai the Berothite, the armourbearer of Joab the son of Zeruiah,
- Nehemiah 2:10 When Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, heard of it, it grieved them exceedingly that there was come a man to seek the welfare of the children of Israel.
- Nehemiah 2:19 But when Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, and Geshem the Arabian, heard it, they laughed us to scorn, and despised us, and said, What is this thing that ye do? will ye rebel against the king?
- Nehemiah 4:3 Now Tobiah the Ammonite was by him, and he said, Even that which they build, if a fox go up, he shall even break down their stone wall.
- Nehemiah 13:1 On that day they read in the book of Moses in the audience of the people; and therein was found written, that the Ammonite and the Moabite should not come into the congregation of God for ever;
From Easton’s Bible Dictionary (1897), by Matthew George Easton.
