Topical Bible: Ammonites: Descendants of Ben-Ammi, One of the Sons of Lot

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The Ammonites were a people descended from Ben-Ammi, the son of Lot and his younger daughter. This lineage is recorded in Genesis 19:36-38 : "Thus both of Lot’s daughters became pregnant by their father. The older daughter had a son and named him Moab. He is the father of the Moabites of today. The younger daughter also had a son, and she named him Ben-Ammi. He is the father of the Ammonites of today."

Geographical Location and Territory

The Ammonites settled in the region east of the Jordan River, in what is now modern-day Jordan. Their territory was primarily located in the area known as Ammon, with its capital at Rabbah (modern-day Amman). The land of the Ammonites was bordered by the Arnon River to the south and the Jabbok River to the north, with the desert to the east.

Relations with Israel

The Ammonites had a complex and often hostile relationship with the Israelites. Despite their shared ancestry through Lot, the Ammonites frequently opposed Israel. In Deuteronomy 23:3-4 , the Israelites were instructed: "No Ammonite or Moabite or any of their descendants may enter the assembly of the LORD, even down to the tenth generation. For they did not meet you with bread and water on your way out of Egypt, and they hired Balaam son of Beor from Pethor in Aram-naharaim to curse you."

The Ammonites were involved in several conflicts with Israel. During the period of the Judges, they oppressed the Israelites, leading to the rise of Jephthah as a deliverer (Judges 10-11). The Ammonites also fought against King Saul and were defeated by him (1 Samuel 11). Later, King David subdued the Ammonites and made them his subjects (2 Samuel 12:26-31).

Religious Practices

The Ammonites were known for their worship of the god Milcom (also known as Molech), which involved detestable practices, including child sacrifice. This idolatry was condemned by the prophets and was a source of conflict with Israel. In 1 Kings 11:7 , it is noted that Solomon, influenced by his foreign wives, built a high place for Molech: "At that time on a hill east of Jerusalem, Solomon built a high place for Chemosh the abomination of Moab and for Molech the abomination of the Ammonites."

Prophetic Pronouncements

The prophets of Israel pronounced judgment against the Ammonites for their sins and hostility towards Israel. In Jeremiah 49:1-6 , the prophet declares: "Concerning the Ammonites, this is what the LORD says: 'Has Israel no sons? Has he no heir? Why then has Milcom taken possession of Gad, and why do his people live in its cities? Therefore, behold, the days are coming,' declares the LORD, 'when I will sound the battle cry against Rabbah of the Ammonites; it will become a mound of ruins, and its villages will be burned with fire. Then Israel will dispossess their dispossessors,' says the LORD."

Legacy and Historical Impact

The Ammonites continued to exist as a distinct people through various periods of biblical history, often as adversaries of Israel. Their legacy is intertwined with the broader narrative of the ancient Near East and the unfolding account of God's covenant with Israel. Despite their opposition, the biblical narrative ultimately points to the sovereignty of God over all nations, including the Ammonites.

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Genesis 19:38
And the younger, she also bore a son, and called his name Benammi: the same is the father of the children of Ammon to this day.
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Library

The Nations of the South-East
... himself, the ancestor of Ammon being Ben-Ammi, "the Son ... to the settlement of the
Ammonites and Moabites ... northwards and mingled with the descendants of Ishmael. ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter iii the nations of.htm