Original Word: עַמּוֹן
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: `Ammown
Pronunciation: ah-MOHN
Phonetic Spelling: (am-mone')
KJV: Ammon, Ammonites
NASB: Ammon, Ammonites
Word Origin: [from H5971 (עַם - People)]

1. tribal, i.e. inbred
2. Ammon, a son of Lot
3. also his posterity and their country

Ammon, Ammonites

From am; tribal, i.e. Inbred; Ammon, a son of Lot; also his posterity and their country -- Ammon, Ammonites.

see HEBREW am

Word Origin
from im
Definition
a people living E. of the Jordan
NASB Translation
Ammon (98), Ammonites (1), Ammonites* (7).

עַמּוֺן₁₀₆ proper name, of a people Ammon, ᵐ5 Αμμαν, Αμμων (Assyrian Bît Ammanu COT^Glossary); always (except 1 Samuel 11:11 [where however ᵐ5 reads ׳בְּנֵי ע], Psalm 83:8, which have ׳ע alone) בְּנֵי עַמּוֺן, connected by J with בֶּןעַֿמִּי son of Lot Genesis 19:38 (and meaning of name doubtless sought herein by J; compare II. עַם); people apparently akin to Israel, but usually hostile, dwelling east of Jordan, northeast of Moab, between Arnon and Jabbok: Numbers 21:24 (twice in verse) (JE), Deuteronomy 2:19 (twice in verse); Deuteronomy 2:37; Deuteronomy 3:11,16; Joshua 12:2; Joshua 13:10 (D), Joshua 13:25 (P), Judges 3:13; Judges 10:6 25t. Judges 10-12, 1 Samuel 11:11; 1 Samuel 12:12; 1 Samuel 14:47; 2 Samuel 8:12; 2 Samuel 10:1 14t. 2 Samuel 10-12; 2 Samuel 17:27; 1 Kings 11:7,33; 2 Kings 23:13; 2 Kings 24:2; 1 Chronicles 18:11 20t. Chronicles, Amos 1:13; Isaiah 11:14; Jeremiah 9:25 9t. Jeremiah, Zephaniah 2:8,9; Ezekiel 21:25; Ezekiel 21:33 5t. Ezekiel 25; Daniel 11:41. — See Che^{Ammon in Ency. Bib}.

Name and Identity

עַמּוֹן (Ammon) designates both the descendant of Lot’s younger daughter and, by extension, the national group that sprang from him. Scripture consistently portrays Ammon as a distinct people living east of the Jordan, related to Israel by blood yet frequently hostile in practice.

Genealogical Origins

Genesis 19:38 recounts the birth of Ben-Ammi, “the father of the Ammonites to this day.” This kinship connection explains later divine commands limiting Israel’s aggression (Deuteronomy 2:19), yet it never guarantees lasting peace.

Geographical Setting

Ammon’s territory lay between the Arnon and Jabbok rivers, bounded on the west by the Jordan and on the east by the Arabian desert. Its capital, Rabbah (later Rabbah-Ammon, modern Amman), was a formidable citadel with abundant water (2 Samuel 11:1; 12:26). Fertile valleys produced grain (Jeremiah 41:8), while trade routes brought wealth and strategic significance.

Early Encounters with Israel

Though spared during Israel’s wilderness trek (Deuteronomy 2:19), Ammon soon aligned against Israel. Eglon of Moab enlisted Ammon in subjugating the land (Judges 3:13). The tribal allotments east of the Jordan inevitably overlapped, sowing seeds of future conflict.

The Period of the Judges

For eighteen years Ammon oppressed the Gileadite tribes (Judges 10:7-9). Jephthah’s negotiations over Israel’s right to the land were rebuffed; his subsequent victory exposed Ammon’s disregard for God’s historical acts (Judges 11:14-27, 32-33). Yet the episode also highlights Israel’s vulnerability when leaders treat divine vows lightly (Judges 11:30-40).

The Monarchic Era

1. Saul and David
• Nahash besieged Jabesh Gilead and threatened mutilation until Saul rallied Israel (1 Samuel 11:1-11).
• David’s kindness was spurned by Hanun, leading to a protracted war (2 Samuel 10:1-19). Joab and Abishai defeated an Ammonite-Aramean coalition; later, David’s own moral failure occurred “at the time when kings march out to war” against Ammon (2 Samuel 11). Rabbah fell, David placed the crown of Milcom on his head, and forced labor ensued (2 Samuel 12:29-31).

2. Solomon and Divided Kingdom

Foreign marriages introduced “Milcom, the abomination of the Ammonites” into Jerusalem (1 Kings 11:5, 33). The spiritual compromise that began with personal alliances ultimately fractured national fidelity.

Kings and Chroniclers record intermittent Ammonite raids (2 Kings 24:2) and tributes exacted by kings such as Jotham (2 Chronicles 27:5). Jehoshaphat faced a massive coalition of Moabites, Ammonites, and Meunites; his prayer and choir-led advance underscore God’s supremacy over intimidating odds (2 Chronicles 20:1-30).

Prophetic Pronouncements

The prophets speak with one voice concerning Ammon’s cruelty and pride.
• Amos 1:13–15 condemns the ripping open of pregnant women in Gilead, promising that “their king will go into exile.”
• Jeremiah 49:1–6 asks, “Has Israel no heir? Why then has Milcom taken possession of Gad?” Yet even in judgment God pledges future restoration: “After this I will restore the fortunes of the Ammonites” (Jeremiah 49:6).
• Ezekiel 25:2-7 links Ammon’s gloating over Judah’s fall with its own coming desolation.
• Zephaniah 2:8-11 foretells that the land of Ammon “will become a place of nettles and salt pits,” but also that the LORD will “reduce to nothing all the gods of the earth.”

These oracles emphasize that the God of Israel governs international destinies, punishing violence and blasphemy while preserving the messianic hope.

Religious Life and Idol Worship

Milcom (also called Molech or Malcam) personified Ammonite religion, demanding abhorrent rites (1 Kings 11:7; 2 Kings 23:13). Their gods are repeatedly labeled “abominations,” contrasting sharply with the holiness required by the LORD. The prophets anticipate a day when the nations—Ammon included—will “bow down to Him, each from his own place” (Zephaniah 2:11).

Ammon in Post-exilic History

Though subjugated by Babylon, Ammon resurfaced during Persian times. Tobiah the Ammonite mocked Jerusalem’s rebuilding efforts (Nehemiah 4:3) and secured personal chambers in the temple precincts until Nehemiah expelled him (Nehemiah 13:4-9). Mixed marriages with Ammonites again threatened covenant purity (Nehemiah 13:23).

Theological Themes and Ministry Implications

1. Covenant Boundaries: Blood relation does not equal covenant relation. True unity with God’s people rests on submission to the LORD, not shared ancestry.
2. Divine Sovereignty: From sparing Ammon early (Deuteronomy 2:19) to later judgments, God directs history toward His redemptive purpose.
3. Moral Accountability: Violence against the helpless and rejoicing in another’s downfall bring sure recompense (Amos 1:13; Ezekiel 25:6-7).
4. Hope Within Judgment: Even the harshest oracle contains a promise of restoration (Jeremiah 49:6), foreshadowing the gospel call to all nations.
5. Warning Against Syncretism: Solomon’s accommodation of Ammonite worship illustrates how compromise erodes personal and national holiness.

Key References

Genesis 19:38 – Origin of the nation

Deuteronomy 2:19 – Divine command to respect Ammon’s territory

Judges 11:32-33 – Jephthah’s victory

1 Samuel 11:1-11 – Saul rescues Jabesh Gilead

2 Samuel 10–12 – David’s wars with Ammon

1 Kings 11:5, 7 – Milcom in Jerusalem

2 Chronicles 20:1-30 – Jehoshaphat’s deliverance

Jeremiah 49:1-6 – Oracle against Ammon with promise of restoration

Ezekiel 25:2-7 – Judgment for malice

Zephaniah 2:8-11 – Desolation and future worship of the LORD

Nehemiah 4:3; 13:23 – Post-exilic opposition and reform

וְ֭עַמּוֹן ועמון עַמּ֑וֹן עַמּ֔וֹן עַמּ֖וֹן עַמּ֗וֹן עַמּ֛וֹן עַמּ֜וֹן עַמּ֡וֹן עַמּ֤וֹן עַמּ֧וֹן עַמּ֨וֹן עַמּֽוֹן׃ עַמּוֹן֙ עַמּוֹן֮ עמון עמון׃ ‘am·mō·wn ‘ammōwn amMon Veammon wə‘ammōwn wə·‘am·mō·wnInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts