The Ammonites were an ancient nation that lived in the region east of the Jordan River and north of Moab. They descended from Ben-ammi, the son of Lot and his younger daughter (Genesis 19:38). The Ammonites were Israel’s distant relatives but were often in conflict with the Israelites. Here is an overview of what the Bible teaches about the Ammonites:
The Origin of the Ammonites
After the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, Lot and his two daughters fled to the mountains and settled in a cave (Genesis 19:30). Assuming they were the only survivors, Lot’s daughters got their father drunk and had incestuous relations with him on two consecutive nights. The older daughter gave birth to Moab, progenitor of the Moabites, while the younger daughter gave birth to Ben-ammi, progenitor of the Ammonites (Genesis 19:37-38). The Ammonites were descendants of an incestuous relationship, though the blame seems to lie primarily with Lot’s daughters.
The Territory of the Ammonites
The Ammonites lived to the east of the Jordan River. Their capital city was Rabbah (modern day Amman, Jordan). The Ammonites inhabited the land north of Moab from the Arnon River to the Jabbok River (Judges 11:13, 22). However, they were continually pushed back by the Amorites and Israelites. At times, the Ammonites laid claim to lands previously held by the Rephaim, Zamzummim, and Amorites (Deuteronomy 2:19-21). Hostilities arose because the Ammonites asserted rights to lands that Israel believed God had given them.
Early Hostilities with Israel
As the Israelites approached the Promised Land after their exodus from Egypt, the Ammonites were among the nations that fought against them (Deuteronomy 2:19-21). However, God instructed Israel not to disturb the Ammonites because He had given their land as a possession to the descendants of Lot (Deuteronomy 2:19). This was an act of grace on God’s part towards an incestuous people. The Ammonites remained isolated from Israel until the time of the judges. However, they did join Moab in hiring Balaam to prophesy against Israel (Deuteronomy 23:4).
Oppression under the Ammonites
During the time of the judges, the Ammonites crossed the Jordan to fight against Judah, Benjamin and Ephraim. The Spirit of the Lord came upon Jephthah, who made a vow to God that if given victory, he would sacrifice as a burnt offering the first thing that came out of his house. The Ammonites were defeated, but tragically Jephthah’s daughter was the first to greet him upon his return (Judges 11). Hostilities resumed under King Saul, who defeated the Ammonites at Jabesh-gilead but made a treaty with them through their king Nahash (1 Samuel 11:1-11).
Ammonite Wars with Saul and David
Later in Saul’s reign, the Ammonites attacked Israelite towns and cities east of the Jordan. Saul defeated them, ensuring they remained subdued during his reign (1 Samuel 14:47-48). During David’s reign as king over Judah at Hebron, Nahash the Ammonite died. David sent messengers to console Nahash’s son Hanun, but he abused and humiliated them. In retaliation, David sent his army and defeated the Ammonites, establishing a garrison in Rabbah (2 Samuel 10). However, David remained at Jerusalem which led to his adultery with Bathsheba.
Shimei’s Curse and final defeats
When David’s son Absalom revolted, Shimei of the house of Saul cursed David, accusing him of guilt over Saul and his house, as well as bloodshed against the Ammonites (2 Samuel 16:5-8). After Absalom’s death, the Ammonites supported the rebellion of Sheba son of Bichri against David (2 Samuel 20:1-2). Several years later towards the end of David’s reign, the Ammonites were defeated again and subjugated (2 Samuel 12:26-31). The abuse of David’s messengers and support of his enemies demonstrated their hatred of him.
Solomon and the Ammonites
During the reign of David’s son Solomon, the Ammonites were forced into labor (1 Kings 11:1). They remained subservient until after Solomon’s death when his son Rehoboam came to the throne. Under Rehoboam the Ammonites regained their independence and joined with the Moabites in attacking Judah (2 Chronicles 20:1). They hired Syrians to fight against Jehoshaphat but God intervened to destroy the coalition (2 Chronicles 20:1-30). Hostilities continued between Judah and Ammon throughout the reigns of Jehoshaphat and Uzziah (2 Chronicles 26:8).
Ammonite opposition to Judah
In the time of Jehoiakim king of Judah, the Ammonites raided Judean lands and temporarily occupied parts of it (2 Kings 24:1-2). They also joined forces with Moab and Ammon, hiring Balaam to curse Israel and undermine the work of Nehemiah in rebuilding Jerusalem (Nehemiah 4:3-8). The Ammonites opposed Israel in the time of the judges, Saul, David, Solomon and after the Babylonian captivity. They were perpetual enemies of God’s people.
Cultural practices and idolatry
The Ammonites worshipped the ancient god Moloch, to whom they sacrificed their children by fire (1 Kings 11:5,7). This was a great evil in God’s sight. The Ammonite king Baalis was complicit in the assassination of Gedaliah, the governor of Judah appointed by the Babylonians (Jeremiah 40:13-16). Due to their incestuous origin, God prohibited the Ammonites from entering the congregation of the Lord to the tenth generation (Deuteronomy 23:3). Though distantly related, the Ammonites opposed Israel and engaged in great wickedness.
Prophecies of judgment against Ammon
The prophets pronounced judgments against Ammon for their enmity against Israel. God promised to give the Ammonites along with their lands to the “people of the East” (Ezekiel 25:1-10). He also vowed to punish Rabbah, their capital city (Amos 1:13-15). Jeremiah said Rabbah would become “a desolate heap” (Jeremiah 49:1-6). These prophecies were fulfilled when the Babylonians and Persians conquered Ammon. Those who had cursed and opposed Israel were ultimately cursed and destroyed themselves.
Relations with God’s people in the New Testament
In New Testament times, relations between Jews and Ammonites remained strained. The evil Ammonite spirit of opposition to God’s people continued through the chief priests who were Sadducees (Acts 4:1-3). Jesus called Herod Antipas “that fox” for his craftiness (Luke 13:31-32). Antipas had an Ammonite mother. However, God’s redeeming grace was evident when Christian brethren in Judea heard about the salvation of Gentiles in Antioch and rejoiced (Acts 11:19-26). Though once under God’s curse, Ammonites could now enter His congregation through faith in Jesus.
The Ammonites descended from the incestuous relationship between Lot and his younger daughter. They were perpetual enemies of Israel throughout their history. They engaged in child sacrifice, idolatry, assassinations and cursing God’s chosen people. Though related to Abraham, the Ammonites opposed Israel and came under divine judgment by the prophets and through military conquest. Their story is one of squandered privilege, wickedness and opposition to God’s redemptive plan.
