Ammon

Lore & Background

The Ammonites originated from Benammi, born to Lot's younger daughter after the destruction of Sodom (Genesis 19:38). Their land was explicitly reserved for them by divine decree; when Israel approached, they were commanded not to meddle with them or take any possession, because it had been given to the children of Lot (Deuteronomy 2:19). The Ammonite capital was Rabbah, where the giant Og's iron bedstead was reportedly kept (Deuteronomy 3:11).

Reader's Guide

The passages portray Ammon as a distinct nation with a clear origin and territorial boundaries, yet one that Israel was forbidden to dispossess. Their land, bordered by the Jabbok River, was considered a divine grant to Lot's descendants (Deuteronomy 2:19). Despite this, Ammon frequently appears as an enemy of Israel, both militarily and religiously. They oppressed Israel during the period of the judges, and their gods were among those that led Israel astray (Judges 10:6). The narrative of Jephthah highlights a direct diplomatic and military confrontation, where the king of Ammon questioned Israel's right to the land (Judges 11:12). The passages do not resolve the tension between the divine prohibition against taking Ammon's land and the subsequent conflicts, but they consistently treat Ammon as a separate, often hostile, entity.

Did You Know?

• The name Benammi means 'son of my people' and is the eponymous ancestor of the Ammonites (Genesis 19:38).
• The Ammonite capital Rabbah is mentioned only in connection with the giant Og's iron bedstead (Deuteronomy 3:11).
• Israel was explicitly commanded not to distress or meddle with the children of Ammon (Deuteronomy 2:19).
• The Ammonites crossed the Jordan to fight against Judah, Benjamin, and Ephraim (Judges 10:9).

Notable Quotes (Wikiquote)

"Ammon was an ancient Semitic-speaking kingdom occupying the east of the Jordan River, between the torrent valleys of Arnon and Jabbok, in present-day Jordan." — Ammon "And the remnant of My people shall possess them." — Ammon