Topical Encyclopedia The Ammonites, descendants of Ben-Ammi, the son of Lot through his younger daughter (Genesis 19:38), were a significant group in the ancient Near East, often in conflict with the Israelites. Their territory was located east of the Jordan River, in what is now modern-day Jordan. The Ammonites are frequently mentioned in the Old Testament, particularly in relation to their interactions and conflicts with the tribes of Israel.Historical Context The Ammonites were closely related to the Israelites, sharing a common ancestry through Lot, Abraham's nephew. Despite this kinship, the Ammonites were often hostile towards Israel. Their capital city was Rabbah, known today as Amman, the capital of Jordan. The Ammonites worshiped the god Milcom, also known as Molech, and their religious practices, including child sacrifice, were condemned by the Israelites. Conflict with the Tribe of Gad The tribe of Gad was one of the twelve tribes of Israel, settled on the eastern side of the Jordan River. The land allocated to Gad was fertile and well-suited for livestock, making it a desirable territory. The Ammonites, seeking to expand their own territory, frequently encroached upon the lands of Gad. One significant episode of conflict is recorded in the Book of Judges. During the time of Jephthah, the Ammonites waged war against Israel, claiming that the Israelites had taken their land when they came up from Egypt. Jephthah, a judge of Israel, responded by recounting the history of Israel's journey and conquest, emphasizing that the land was taken from the Amorites, not the Ammonites (Judges 11:12-27). Despite Jephthah's diplomatic efforts, the Ammonites persisted in their aggression, leading to a military confrontation in which Jephthah defeated them (Judges 11:32-33). Biblical References The Ammonites' seizure of Gad's possessions is further highlighted in the prophetic literature. In the Book of Jeremiah, the prophet condemns the Ammonites for their actions: "Concerning the Ammonites, this is what the LORD says: 'Has Israel no sons? Has he no heir? Why then has Milcom taken possession of Gad, and his people settled in their cities?'" (Jeremiah 49:1). This rhetorical question underscores the illegitimacy of the Ammonite occupation of Gadite territory and serves as a divine indictment against their encroachment. Theological Implications The conflict between the Ammonites and the Israelites, particularly the tribe of Gad, is emblematic of the broader struggle between the people of God and the surrounding nations. The Ammonites' actions are portrayed as a violation of divine order, as they sought to claim what God had allotted to Israel. This narrative reinforces the theme of God's sovereignty over the land and His protection of His chosen people. Throughout the Old Testament, the Ammonites serve as a reminder of the persistent challenges faced by Israel from neighboring nations. Their interactions with Israel highlight the tension between kinship and enmity, as well as the consequences of straying from God's commandments. The Ammonites' eventual decline and disappearance from the biblical narrative underscore the ultimate triumph of God's purposes for Israel, despite the temporary setbacks and conflicts instigated by their adversaries. Torrey's Topical Textbook Jeremiah 49:1Concerning the Ammonites, thus said the LORD; Has Israel no sons? has he no heir? why then does their king inherit Gad, and his people dwell in his cities? Torrey's Topical Textbook Library The First Chaldaean Empire and the Hyksos in Egypt The Assyrian Revival and the Struggle for Syria The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus Resources Who was Gedaliah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the meaning of shibboleth in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org What is the importance of Mizpah 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) |
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