The Ammonites were a Semitic people closely related to the Israelites, descending from Ben-Ammi, the son of Lot by his younger daughter (Genesis 19:38). Their territory was located east of the Jordan River, in what is now modern-day Jordan, with their capital at Rabbah, known today as Amman. The Ammonites are frequently mentioned in the Old Testament, often in the context of conflict with the Israelites.

Historical Background

The Ammonites, like their Moabite relatives, were descendants of Lot, Abraham's nephew. Their origin is described in Genesis 19:36-38, where Lot's daughters, believing they were the last people on earth after the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, intoxicated their father and bore children by him. The younger daughter's son was named Ben-Ammi, meaning "son of my people," and he became the progenitor of the Ammonites.

Relations with Israel

The relationship between the Ammonites and the Israelites was complex, marked by both hostility and periods of peace. The Ammonites were among the nations that opposed Israel during their wilderness wanderings, refusing them passage through their land (Deuteronomy 2:19). Despite this, God commanded the Israelites not to harass or provoke the Ammonites, as He had given their land to the descendants of Lot.

Throughout the period of the Judges, the Ammonites were a persistent threat to Israel. They oppressed the Israelites east of the Jordan for eighteen years until Jephthah, a judge of Israel, defeated them (Judges 10:7-9, 11:32-33). The Ammonites' oppression is described as severe, and their defeat by Jephthah was a significant deliverance for Israel.

During the reign of King Saul, the Ammonites, under King Nahash, besieged Jabesh-gilead. Saul's decisive victory over them solidified his kingship (1 Samuel 11:1-11). Later, during King David's reign, the Ammonites again became adversaries. David initially sought to show kindness to Hanun, the new king of Ammon, but was humiliated by him, leading to a war in which David's forces, led by Joab, defeated the Ammonites (2 Samuel 10:1-14).

Religious Practices

The Ammonites worshiped a god named Molech (or Milcom), to whom they offered child sacrifices, a practice condemned by the Israelites (Leviticus 18:21). This idolatrous worship was a significant point of contention between the two peoples. Solomon, influenced by his foreign wives, built high places for Molech, which led to divine disfavor (1 Kings 11:7).

Prophetic Denunciations

The prophets frequently denounced the Ammonites for their hostility towards Israel and their idolatrous practices. Jeremiah prophesied their destruction, saying, "Concerning the Ammonites, this is what the LORD says: 'Has Israel no sons? Has he no heir? Why then has Molech taken possession of Gad? Why do his people live in its cities?'" (Jeremiah 49:1). Ezekiel also foretold judgment against them, declaring that they would be delivered to the people of the East (Ezekiel 25:1-7).

Later History

The Ammonites continued to exist as a distinct people into the post-exilic period. Nehemiah encountered opposition from an Ammonite named Tobiah during the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls (Nehemiah 2:10, 4:3). Despite their persistent enmity, the Ammonites eventually assimilated into the surrounding cultures and lost their distinct identity.

The Ammonites serve as a historical example of the complex relationships between the Israelites and their neighbors, illustrating themes of kinship, conflict, and the consequences of idolatry. Their account is interwoven with the narrative of Israel's struggle to maintain faithfulness to God amidst external pressures and internal challenges.