The Ammonites, descendants of Lot through his younger daughter, were a people frequently mentioned in the Old Testament. Their territory was located east of the Jordan River, in what is now modern-day Jordan. Throughout biblical history, the Ammonites often found themselves in conflict with the Israelites, leading to various prophetic declarations concerning their fate.

Biblical Predictions of Subjection

The prophetic literature of the Old Testament contains several predictions regarding the subjection of the Ammonites to the Israelites. These prophecies are often intertwined with divine judgment due to the Ammonites' persistent hostility towards Israel.

1. Jeremiah's Prophecy: The prophet Jeremiah, speaking the word of the Lord, foretold the downfall of Ammon. In Jeremiah 49:2 , it is written: "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."

This prophecy indicates a reversal of fortunes, where the Israelites would reclaim territories taken by the Ammonites, leading to their subjugation.

2. Ezekiel's Pronouncement: The prophet Ezekiel also delivered a message of judgment against Ammon. In Ezekiel 25:4 , the Lord declares: "therefore I will indeed hand you over to the people of the East as a possession. They will set up their camps among you and pitch their tents in your midst; they will eat your fruit and drink your milk."

While this passage primarily speaks of conquest by the "people of the East," it sets the stage for the weakening of Ammon, making them vulnerable to subjugation by surrounding nations, including Israel.

3. Amos's Declaration: The prophet Amos, in his series of judgments against the nations, includes Ammon. Amos 1:13-15 states: "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 in order to enlarge their territory. So I will kindle a fire in the walls of Rabbah to consume its citadels amid war cries on the day of battle, amid a violent storm on the day of tempest. Their king will go into exile, he and his princes together,' says the LORD."

This passage underscores the divine retribution for Ammon's cruelty and foreshadows their eventual subjugation and loss of autonomy.

Historical Context and Fulfillment

The fulfillment of these prophecies can be traced through the historical interactions between Israel and Ammon. During the reigns of King Saul and King David, the Israelites achieved significant military victories over the Ammonites, as recorded in 1 Samuel 11 and 2 Samuel 10. David's conquest of the Ammonite capital, Rabbah, and the subsequent subjugation of the Ammonites are seen as partial fulfillments of the prophetic declarations.

Moreover, the weakening of the Ammonites through successive invasions by Assyrian and Babylonian forces further paved the way for their subjection. The eventual incorporation of Ammonite territory into the domains of larger empires, such as the Babylonian and Persian empires, diminished their independence and influence, aligning with the biblical predictions of their subjugation.

In summary, the biblical prophecies concerning the Ammonites' subjection to the Jews reflect a broader narrative of divine justice and the unfolding of God's plan for the nations surrounding Israel. These predictions, rooted in the historical and spiritual context of the Old Testament, highlight the sovereignty of God over the affairs of nations and His commitment to the covenant people of Israel.Isaiah 11:14
But they shall fly on the shoulders of the Philistines toward the west; they shall spoil them of the east together: they shall lay their hand on Edom and Moab; and the children of Ammon shall obey them.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

The Blessing of Jacob Upon Judah. (Gen. Xlix. 8-10. )
... not here before us any special predictions, such as ... 2.regulations are laid down
respecting the order in ... dangerous enemies, the Aramites and Ammonites; in Psalm ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the blessing of jacob upon.htm

The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire
... he directed his efforts to the subjection of the ... exchanged with provincial governors,
augural predictions, consultation of ... change in the fortunes of the Jews. ...
/.../chapter iiithe medes and the.htm

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