VideoBible

Give Now

VideoBible

Give Now

Back to the Table of Contents

Ammonites

What was Ammonites?

The Ammonites were a Semitic people descended from Ben-Ammi, the son born to Lot through his younger daughter after the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. The name Ammonites (Hebrew: עַמּוֹנִים, ‘Ammônîm) means “sons of Ammon” or “people of Ammon,” derived from Ben-Ammi (בֶּן-עַמִּי), which means “son of my people.” This name reflects the tragic and morally complex origin of the Ammonite nation.

The Ammonites are first mentioned in Genesis 19:38, and they appear throughout the Old Testament as a neighboring nation to Israel, often hostile, though at times subdued or interacting diplomatically. Their land was located to the east of the Jordan River, in the territory that would roughly correspond to modern-day Jordan.

Biblical Origin and Early History

The Genesis Account

The origin of the Ammonites is recorded in Genesis 19:30–38. After God’s judgment fell upon Sodom and Gomorrah, Lot and his two daughters fled to a cave in the mountains. Believing they were the last people on earth, Lot’s daughters devised a plan to preserve their family line by getting their father drunk and lying with him. The younger daughter gave birth to Ben-Ammi, the ancestor of the Ammonites:

“The younger daughter also had a son, and she named him Ben-Ammi. He is the father of the Ammonites of today.” (Genesis 19:38, NIV)

This origin story is both disturbing and revealing. It demonstrates the far-reaching consequences of sin and judgment, yet also God’s providential hand in shaping history, even from broken beginnings.

Settlement and Land

The Ammonites settled in the land known as Rabbah of the Ammonites (modern-day Amman, Jordan). They lived in a region bounded by the Arnon River to the south and the Jabbok River to the north (Deuteronomy 2:19). Though related to the Israelites through Lot, God forbade Israel from taking Ammonite land during their journey from Egypt (Deuteronomy 2:19), showing early protection and distinction for this people group.

Biblical References and Conflicts

The Ammonites appear frequently in the historical narratives of the Old Testament:

The Ammonites remained a thorn in Israel’s side for generations, often opposing God’s people either directly or through spiritual compromise.

Religious Practices

The Ammonites worshiped Molek (or Milcom), a god associated with child sacrifice (Leviticus 18:21; 1 Kings 11:5, 7). This idolatrous practice was one of the most abominable in the Old Testament and was condemned by God in the strongest terms. The worship of Molek represented not only a spiritual betrayal but also a moral outrage, as it involved the shedding of innocent blood.

Theological Implications

The story of the Ammonites underscores several theological truths:

  1. God’s Sovereignty over Nations: Despite their sinful origins, the Ammonites became a significant people group. This reflects how God can allow nations to rise, fall, and fulfill His purposes in history—even when those nations stand in opposition to Him.

  2. Sin’s Long Reach: The Ammonites’ origin from an incestuous act shows how the consequences of sin extend into generations. Yet, God’s redemptive plan continues even through human failure.

  3. Judgment and Mercy: God commanded Israel not to destroy the Ammonites (Deuteronomy 2:19), showing mercy based on their familial connection. However, their later idolatry and hostility brought judgment.

Connection to Jesus and the Gospel

Though the Ammonites are often associated with enmity and idolatry, the grace of God is still evident. One powerful example is Naamah, an Ammonite woman who became one of Solomon’s wives and the mother of Rehoboam (1 Kings 14:21,31). Though this union was not ideal, it places an Ammonite woman in the royal line of Judah.

This connection anticipates the inclusiveness of the gospel, which brings people from all nations—including enemies—into God’s family through Jesus Christ. The story of the Ammonites reminds us that no people group is beyond the reach of God’s grace.

As Paul writes in Ephesians 2:13-14:

“But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one…”

Broader Biblical Themes

1. God’s Use of the Nations

God uses even the nations that originate in sin for His broader purposes. The Ammonites serve as both a tool of discipline and a mirror to reflect Israel’s own need for faithfulness.

2. Separation and Holiness

Israel was called to be distinct from the Ammonites and other neighboring nations, avoiding their gods and practices. The Ammonites’ presence highlighted the temptation toward syncretism and the need for covenantal faithfulness.

3. Redemption from the Margins

The appearance of Ammonite individuals in the story of God’s people—especially women like Naamah—echoes the inclusion of Ruth the Moabitess and points to the gospel’s reach beyond national and moral boundaries.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the story of the Ammonites help us understand the seriousness of sin and its generational consequences?

  2. In what ways does God demonstrate mercy even toward nations with sinful origins?

  3. How does the presence of Ammonite individuals in Israel’s story foreshadow the inclusion of the Gentiles in the gospel?

  4. What can we learn about the dangers of spiritual compromise from Israel’s interactions with the Ammonites?

  5. How does God’s sovereignty over the nations deepen your trust in His control over world history today?

The account of the Ammonites calls believers to remember that God‘s justice and grace operate across the sweep of human history. Even amid rebellion, His redemptive plan unfolds, pointing us toward Christ—the Redeemer of all peoples.

Related Videos