Topical Encyclopedia The Ammonites were a people group frequently mentioned in the Old Testament, known for their tumultuous relationship with the Israelites. The land of the Ammonites was situated east of the Jordan River, in the region that is now part of modern-day Jordan. This territory was originally inhabited by the Zamzummims, a people described as giants, before the Ammonites took possession of it.Biblical Background and Geography The Ammonites were descendants of Ben-Ammi, the son of Lot by his younger daughter, as recorded in Genesis 19:38: "The younger daughter also gave birth to a son, and she named him Ben-Ammi; he is the father of the Ammonites of today." The land they occupied was known for its rugged terrain and was bordered by the Arnon River to the south and the Jabbok River to the north. Conquest of the Zamzummims The Zamzummims, also referred to as the Zuzim, were a formidable people who originally inhabited the region. Deuteronomy 2:20-21 provides insight into their displacement: "That too was regarded as a land of the Rephaim. The Rephaim lived there formerly, but the Ammonites called them Zamzummim, a people great and many, and tall as the Anakim. But the LORD destroyed them before the Ammonites, who drove them out and settled in their place." This passage highlights the divine intervention that allowed the Ammonites to conquer the Zamzummims, emphasizing the belief that God orchestrated the movements and settlements of nations according to His purposes. Relations with Israel The Ammonites are frequently depicted as adversaries of Israel. Their hostility is evident in several biblical accounts, including their opposition during the period of the Judges and their conflicts with King Saul and King David. Judges 11:4-5 recounts an instance of Ammonite aggression: "Some time later, when the Ammonites fought against Israel, the elders of Gilead went to get Jephthah from the land of Tob." Despite their enmity, the Israelites were commanded by God not to harass the Ammonites or seize their land, as seen in Deuteronomy 2:19: "When you come to the Ammonites, do not harass them or provoke them to war, for I will not give you any of the land of the Ammonites as a possession, because I have given it to the descendants of Lot as their possession." Cultural and Religious Practices 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. The Ammonites' religious practices were a source of moral and spiritual conflict with the Israelites, who were called to remain separate from such abominations. Legacy and Prophetic Pronouncements The prophets of Israel pronounced judgment upon the Ammonites for their sins and transgressions. Notably, the prophet Amos declared God's impending judgment on them for their cruelty: "This is what the LORD says: 'For three transgressions of the Ammonites, even for four, I will not revoke My judgment, because they ripped open the pregnant women of Gilead to enlarge their own territory.'" (Amos 1:13). The Ammonites' legacy is one of both historical significance and moral caution, serving as a reminder of the consequences of enmity against God's people and the perils of idolatry. Torrey's Topical Textbook Deuteronomy 2:20,21(That also was accounted a land of giants: giants dwelled therein in old time; and the Ammonites call them Zamzummims; Torrey's Topical Textbook Resources What is an abomination? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is significance of Mount Seir? | GotQuestions.org Who was Lot in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Ammonites: Confederate With Moabites and Amalekites Against Israel Ammonites: Conspire Against the Jews Ammonites: Defeated by the Israelites Ammonites: Descendants of Ben-Ammi, One of the Sons of Lot Ammonites: Excluded from the Congregation of Israel Ammonites: Israelites Forbidden to Disturb Ammonites: Jews Intermarry With Ammonites: Prophecies Concerning Ammonites: Solomon Takes Wives From The Ammonites of Rabbah Reduced to Hard Bondage The Ammonites with the Philistines Oppressed Israel for Eighteen Years The Ammonites: Aided the Chaldeans Against Judah The Ammonites: Assisted Eglon Against Israel The Ammonites: Called The: Children of Ammon The Ammonites: Called The: Children of Lot The Ammonites: Character of Cruel and Covetous The Ammonites: Character of Fond of Ornaments The Ammonites: Character of Idolatrous The Ammonites: Character of Proud and Reproachful The Ammonites: Character of Superstitious The Ammonites: Character of Vindictive The Ammonites: Chief Cities of Ai The Ammonites: Chief Cities of Rabbah The Ammonites: Confederated Against Jehoshaphat The Ammonites: Country of: Belonged to the Zamzummims The Ammonites: Country of: Bordered on the Amorites The Ammonites: Country of: Half of, Given to the Gadites The Ammonites: Country of: Was Fertile The Ammonites: Country of: Well Fortified The Ammonites: Defeated by Jotham The Ammonites: Governed by Hereditary Kings The Ammonites: Hired the Syrians Against David The Ammonites: Ill-Treated David's Ambassadors The Ammonites: Jephthah Raised up to Deliver Israel From The Ammonites: Jewish Laws Respecting: No Covenant to Made With The Ammonites: Jewish Laws Respecting: Not to be Distressed The Ammonites: Jewish Laws Respecting: Perpetual Exclusion from the Congregation The Ammonites: Miraculous Defeat of The Ammonites: One of David's Mighty Men Was of The Ammonites: Predictions Respecting: Destructions for Hatred to Israel The Ammonites: Predictions Respecting: Punishment for Oppressive Cruelty The Ammonites: Predictions Respecting: Restoration The Ammonites: Predictions Respecting: Subjection to Babylon The Ammonites: Predictions Respecting: Subjection to the Jews The Ammonites: Proposed a Disgraceful Treaty to Jabesh-Gilead The Ammonites: Saul's Victories Over The Ammonites: Seized Upon the Possessions of Gad The Ammonites: Solomon Intermarried With, and Introduced Idols of Into The Ammonites: Spoil of, Consecrated to God The Ammonites: Submitted to Uzziah The Ammonites: The Jews Reprobated for Intermarrying With The Ammonites: The Royal Treasure of, Taken The Ammonites: Vexed the Jews After Captivity The Ammonites: Victories of Joab Over Related Terms The-not-beloved (1 Occurrence) Kir'iath-je'arim (18 Occurrences) Kirjathjearim (17 Occurrences) Vine-dressers (18 Occurrences) Kirjath-jearim (17 Occurrences) Kibroth-hattaavah (5 Occurrences) |