The Ammonites, descendants of Ben-Ammi, the son of Lot through his younger daughter (Genesis 19:38), were a people who frequently interacted with the Israelites throughout biblical history. Their territory was located east of the Jordan River, in what is now modern-day Jordan. The Ammonites are often depicted in the Bible as adversaries of Israel, and their interactions with the Jewish people continued even after the Babylonian captivity.

Historical Context

The Ammonites, along with the Moabites, were related to the Israelites through Lot, Abraham's nephew. Despite this kinship, the Ammonites were often hostile towards Israel. During the period of the Judges, they oppressed the Israelites, leading to conflicts such as the one involving Jephthah (Judges 11). King Saul and King David also engaged in battles with the Ammonites (1 Samuel 11; 2 Samuel 10).

Post-Exilic Period

After the Babylonian captivity, when the Jews returned to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple and the city walls, the Ammonites continued to be a source of opposition. This period is well-documented in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. The Ammonites, along with other neighboring peoples, sought to hinder the rebuilding efforts of the Jewish exiles.

In the book of Nehemiah, Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite are prominent figures who opposed Nehemiah's efforts to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. Nehemiah 2:10 states, "When Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official heard about this, they were deeply disturbed that someone had come to seek the well-being of the Israelites." Their opposition included mocking, plotting, and attempting to intimidate the workers (Nehemiah 4:1-3, 7-8).

Religious and Cultural Tensions

The Ammonites' opposition was not merely political but also had religious undertones. The Ammonites worshiped the god Milcom (also known as Molech), and their practices were abominable to the Israelites, who were commanded by God to remain separate from such idolatry (Leviticus 18:21; 1 Kings 11:5). The intermarriage between Jews and Ammonites was a significant concern, as it threatened the religious purity and identity of the Jewish community. Nehemiah took decisive action against such unions, as recorded in Nehemiah 13:23-25 : "In those days I also saw Jews who had married women from Ashdod, Ammon, and Moab... So I rebuked them, cursed them, beat some of their men, and pulled out their hair."

Prophetic Denunciations

The prophets of Israel also spoke against the Ammonites. The prophet Jeremiah prophesied their downfall, declaring, "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). Similarly, Ezekiel pronounced judgment against them for their rejoicing over the fall of Jerusalem (Ezekiel 25:1-7).

Legacy

The Ammonites' persistent enmity towards Israel, even after the return from exile, highlights the ongoing struggle between the Israelites and their neighbors. Their opposition during the post-exilic period serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by the Jewish community in maintaining their identity and faith amidst external pressures. The biblical narrative underscores the importance of faithfulness to God's commandments and the dangers of compromising with surrounding pagan cultures.Nehemiah 4:3,7,8
Now Tobiah the Ammonite was by him, and he said, Even that which they build, if a fox go up, he shall even break down their stone wall.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Demonstration xxi. --Of Persecution.
... 1. I have heard a reproach, which has greatly vexed me ... them in the days of Ehud;
[1113] the Ammonites in the ... was the faithful martyr Stephen whom the Jews stoned ...
/.../aphrahat/aphrahat select demonstrations/demonstration xxi of persecution.htm

The Blessing of Jacob Upon Judah. (Gen. Xlix. 8-10. )
... grievous, heinous sin, and was sore vexed when he ... With the Jews, it was because they
were driven ... most dangerous enemies, the Aramites and Ammonites; in Psalm 47 ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the blessing of jacob upon.htm

Discussion of the Subject of Permission
... gods, which he consulted, from attacking the Ammonites, marched against ... against him,
and in favour of the Jews, (Acts 25 ... glory of God, will not be vexed that as ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 3/discussion of the subject of.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... by reason of them that oppressed them and vexed them ... sheikhs of the Midianites, Moabites,
and Ammonites"all these ... or to the period when the Jews, without any ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

An Exposition on the First Ten Chapters of Genesis, and Part of ...
... I did soon lose that little I learnt even almost utterly." In after life, his ... O Judah,
he hath set an harvest for thee, when I returned the captivity of my ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/an exposition on the first.htm

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