The Ammonites, often referred to as the "Children of Ammon," were a significant group in the biblical narrative, known for their complex and often adversarial relationship with the Israelites. They are descendants of Ammon, the son of Lot, who was born to Lot's younger daughter after the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19:36-38). This lineage places the Ammonites as relatives of the Israelites, though their interactions were frequently marked by conflict and hostility.

Geographical Location and Territory:

The Ammonites inhabited the region east of the Jordan River, in what is now modern-day Jordan. Their capital city was Rabbah, also known as Rabbath-Ammon, which corresponds to the present-day city of Amman. The territory of the Ammonites was characterized by its rugged terrain and was bordered by the Arnon River to the south and the Jabbok River to the north.

Historical Interactions with Israel:

The Ammonites are first mentioned in the context of Israel's journey to the Promised Land. They refused to allow the Israelites passage through their land, which set the stage for future hostilities (Judges 11:4-28). Throughout the period of the Judges and the monarchy, the Ammonites were frequently at odds with Israel.

One notable conflict occurred during the time of Jephthah, a judge of Israel, who led the Israelites to victory against the Ammonites after they had oppressed Israel for eighteen years (Judges 11:32-33). The Ammonites also played a role in the narrative of King Saul, who defeated them in a significant battle early in his reign (1 Samuel 11:1-11).

During King David's reign, the Ammonites again came into conflict with Israel. After the Ammonite king Nahash died, David sought to show kindness to Hanun, Nahash's son, but was met with suspicion and insult. This led to a war in which David's forces, led by Joab, defeated the Ammonites and their allies (2 Samuel 10:1-19).

Religious Practices and Influence:

The Ammonites were known for their idolatrous practices, particularly the worship of the god Milcom (also known as Molech). This deity was associated with child sacrifice, a practice that was strictly condemned by the God of Israel (Leviticus 18:21). The influence of Ammonite idolatry was a persistent threat to Israel's religious purity, and it is noted that King Solomon, in his later years, built high places for Milcom due to the influence of his foreign wives, including an Ammonite princess (1 Kings 11:5).

Prophetic Denunciations:

The prophets of Israel frequently denounced the Ammonites for their hostility and idolatry. The prophet Amos condemned them for their violent expansionism, particularly their attacks on Gilead (Amos 1:13). Jeremiah also prophesied against the Ammonites, predicting their eventual downfall and destruction (Jeremiah 49:1-6).

Legacy and Significance:

The Ammonites, as a people, eventually faded from the historical record, but their interactions with Israel left a lasting impact on the biblical narrative. Their account serves as a reminder of the complex relationships between Israel and its neighbors, as well as the constant struggle to maintain faithfulness to the God of Israel amidst surrounding pagan influences.Jeremiah 25:21
Edom, and Moab, and the children of Ammon,
Torrey's Topical Textbook

'More than Conquerors through Him'
... So the Syrians feared to help the children of Ammon any ... its king Hadar- ezer, as
he is called in this ... From I Chronicles e learn that the Ammonites had begun ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/more than conquerors through him.htm

Persistency in Wrong Doing.
... So the Syrians feared to help the children of Ammon ... David sent his army against the
Ammonites, and destroyed ... a good old bishop of Alexandria called John the ...
/.../xliii persistency in wrong doing.htm

Jehoshaphat
... request that the man of God be called; and upon ... "The children of Moab, and the children
of Ammon, and with them other beside the Ammonites, came against ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 15 jehoshaphat.htm

Whether the Judicial Precepts Regarding Foreigners were Framed in ...
... relations had been hostile, such as the Ammonites and Moabites ... that Achior, the captain
of the children of Ammon ... other hand, any man may be called citizen, only ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the judicial precepts regarding.htm

The Nations of the South-East
... The Ammonites believed themselves to be the children of the ... subsequent to the settlement
of the Ammonites and Moabites ... which was henceforth to be called Edom. ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter iii the nations of.htm

The Fall of Solomon
... and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites.6. And ... eaten sour grapes, and the
children's teeth are ... judgment,' and that the so-called 'natural consequences ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the fall of solomon.htm

Pride of Prosperity
... fact that he who had been called Jedidiah,""Beloved ... after Milcom the abomination
of the Ammonites." 1 Kings 2 ... Molech, the abomination of the children of Ammon ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 3 pride of prosperity.htm

In the Last Chapter we Confined Ourself to the Old Testament, in ...
... and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites[hellip]then ... for Molech, the
abomination of the children of Ammon ... exalt himself above all that is called God ( ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the antichrist/in the last chapter we.htm

Demonstration xxi. --Of Persecution.
... Jews, questioned me, saying:"Jesus, Who is called your Teacher ... Elam, of Tyre, of
Zidon, of the children of Ammon ... the days of Ehud; [1113] the Ammonites in the ...
/.../aphrahat/aphrahat select demonstrations/demonstration xxi of persecution.htm

The Israelites
... king Meneptah they are accordingly called Israelu, "Israelites ... partly of women and
children, partly of ... Moabites and Midianites, Ammonites and Bedawin, even the ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter i the israelites.htm

Who were the Ammonites? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Jephthah? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about child sacrifice? | GotQuestions.org

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