The Ammonites were a Semitic people closely related to the Israelites, descending from Ben-Ammi, the son of Lot and his younger daughter (Genesis 19:38). They settled east of the Jordan River, in the region that is now modern-day Jordan, with their capital at Rabbah (modern Amman). The Ammonites frequently appear in the Old Testament as adversaries of Israel.

The Ammonites were known for their idolatrous practices, including the worship of the god Milcom or Molech, which involved child sacrifice (1 Kings 11:7). Their hostility towards Israel is evident in several biblical accounts. During the period of the Judges, the Ammonites oppressed Israel, leading to the rise of Jephthah as a deliverer (Judges 10:7-9, 11:4-33). King Saul and King David both engaged in military conflicts with the Ammonites (1 Samuel 11:1-11; 2 Samuel 10:1-14).

Despite their enmity, the Israelites were commanded not to harass the Ammonites or seize their land, as it was given to the descendants of Lot (Deuteronomy 2:19). However, due to their persistent hostility and idolatry, the Ammonites were eventually judged by God. The prophet Amos declared judgment against them for their cruelty (Amos 1:13-15), and they were later subdued by Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon (Jeremiah 27:3).

Moabites

The Moabites, like the Ammonites, were descendants of Lot, through his elder daughter (Genesis 19:37). They inhabited the region east of the Dead Sea, in what is now central Jordan. The Moabites are frequently mentioned in the Old Testament, often in conflict with Israel.

The Moabites' relationship with Israel was complex. While they were related by blood, they were often adversaries. During the Exodus, the Moabite king Balak sought to curse Israel through the prophet Balaam (Numbers 22-24). The Moabites also seduced the Israelites into idolatry and immorality at Peor, leading to a divine plague (Numbers 25:1-9).

Despite these hostilities, there were moments of peace and intermarriage, as seen in the account of Ruth, a Moabite woman who became the great-grandmother of King David (Ruth 1:4, 4:13-17). The Moabites were eventually subjugated by King David (2 Samuel 8:2) but regained independence after his reign.

Prophets like Isaiah and Jeremiah pronounced judgment against Moab for their pride and idolatry (Isaiah 15-16; Jeremiah 48). The Moabites' fate was sealed with the Babylonian conquest, and they faded from the biblical narrative.

Meunites

The Meunites, also referred to as Maonites, were a lesser-known group mentioned in the Old Testament. They are believed to have been a nomadic or semi-nomadic people inhabiting the region south of Judah, possibly in the Arabian Peninsula.

The Meunites are first mentioned in the context of King Jehoshaphat's reign, when they joined forces with the Ammonites and Moabites to attack Judah. However, God intervened, causing confusion among the enemy forces, leading to their defeat without Judah having to fight (2 Chronicles 20:1-30).

Later, during the reign of King Uzziah, the Meunites were subdued and became tributaries to Judah (2 Chronicles 26:7). They are also mentioned in the genealogies of the tribes of Israel, indicating some level of interaction or integration with the Israelites (1 Chronicles 4:41).

The Meunites' presence in the biblical narrative is limited, and they are not mentioned in the prophetic books, suggesting they were a minor group with little long-term impact on Israel's history.