The Ammonites: Country of: Belonged to the Zamzummims
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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.org

What is significance of Mount Seir? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Lot in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

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Subtopics

Ammonites

Ammonites: Character of

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: Idols of Milcom

Ammonites: Israelites Forbidden to Disturb

Ammonites: Jews Intermarry With

Ammonites: Kings of Baalis

Ammonites: Kings of Hanun

Ammonites: Kings of Nahash

Ammonites: Prophecies Concerning

Ammonites: Solomon Takes Wives From

Ammonites: Territory of

Ammonno

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: Descent of

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

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The Ammonites: Confederated Against Jehoshaphat
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