Monday, November 26, 2007

Who Were the Ammonites?

Take a turn around the Internet and you quickly discover Ammonites are mentioned as a long extinct type of animal found in the fossil records

In the Bible, though, the Ammonites are a group of people stemming from the family of Abraham and during Old Testament times caused the Israelites many problems.

So who were they?

*They were a distinct group of people living northeast of the Dead Sea

*In Biblical times the government of the Ammonites was known as the Kingdom of the Ammonites. The kingdom basically centered on the city-state of Rabbah located at the headwaters of the Jabbok River. Today the site of Rabbah is the city of Amman, Jordan.

*The Bible explains the origins of the Ammonite people from the incestuous event between Lot and his daughters following the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. Both daughters had children and the Moabites and Ammonites were decendents of the unions. Their admitted kinship through the centuries and close ties in language development attest to kinship. Genesis 19: 36-38 states So both of Lot’s daughters became pregnant by by their father. The firstborn gave birth to a son and named him Moab. He is the father of the Moabites of today. The younger also gave birth to a son, and she named him Ben-ammi. He is the father of the Ammonites of today.

*There was definitely bad blood between the Ammonites and the Israelites as far back as the Exodus. The Ammonites did not allow the Israelites passage through their lands and for this reason they were excluded from the family of God for ten generations (Deuteronomy 23:3)

*King Saul defeated the Ammonite King, Nahash. In fact, several attacks by the Ammonites were the triggers which eventually united the various Israelite tribes under King Saul.

*King David had some good dealings with King Nahash, but did not get along so well with his successor, King Hanun.

*King David’s armies defeated King Hanun. When King David was courting Bathsheba he sent her husband, Uriah, on an impossible mission. In fact, Uriah was killed while storming the walls of Rabbah, the main city of the Ammonite Kingdom.

*King Solomon’s chief wife was Naamah, an Ammonitess. She was the mother of Rehoboam.

*In New Testament times the Ammonites were still a thorn in the side of Israel. The Pharisees were very concerned with the large number of mixed marriages between Hebrews, Moabites, and Ammonites according to the Justin Martyr. At one point a law in the Mishnah states Ammonite men are excluded, but the women can be admitted to the Jewish community.

*In fact, many scholars over the years have expressed concern regarding the Messianic line through King David because he came from Ruth, a Moabite.

16 comments:

Unknown said...

We have to remember that Ruth married Naomi's son who was from Isreal and when he died she told Naomi that she would renounce her country,her family, and her gods.She told Naomi she would worship her God.In those times when women used to get married they already belonged to thier husband's heritage.

Dr. Ed said...

I found your site when I googled Ammonites, after reading 1 Sam 11. You have a great succinct explanation. Thanks. And what a great looking site!

Anonymous said...

awesome site...

Anonymous said...

simple explanation i love it thanks.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the explanation... am reading the Bible from cover to cover (trying to at least) and having your site as reference is a great help... Great is our God

Anonymous said...

How is it so easy to hear that a messenger of God was fooled to sleep with both of his daughters? I'm baffled!! This can't be true!! I also read that Abraham gave his wife, Sarah, to the king in order to receive financial gain.... I also read that King David slept with a beautiful married woman than sent her husband on a impossible mission to get killed. Even worse, Solomon turned to worshiping idols before he died?? It's unbelievable that anyone, in their right mind can believe that a "Messanger of God" can do any of these things. It seems to me that when the Bible was rewritten, changes were made to belittle all but Jesus and Moses.

This is why, as a creation of God, every man and woman on the face of the earth owes it to their self and God to find the truth! It is out there! I will not be the one who judges you when that day comes and neither will the Pope, Paster, mother, father, etc.... Only God will judge you, so you don't owe those people anything!

There are 3 religions out there that believe in one God! Only ONE of them is TRUE! So just because you were a born Christian doesn't make Christianity the truth! What if you were born a Jew, Muslim, or even an atheist. The worst thing you can do is believe in something FULLY without reading what else is out there! Even if you remain a Christian, you will grow in faith because of what you know.

Just don't live your whole life without finding the truth!

Anonymous said...

Information on the Ammonites was helpful. Glad I found your site. I have added to my favorites for future reference. Thanks.

Anonymous said...

I totally agree with the comment of Jennifer. Thank u also for insights about the ammonites. My comment on anonymous is that the bible is not written to belittle no one, but this is the truth, both the sweet and the bitter of it. And it is like this so we may also see the human sinful nature at work. These were real people. This is also placed as an example to us for us not to behave like this. Now we can walk in the spirit and not give in to the selfish desires of our flesh. Its true Jesus is the only one who passed the test, because Moses hit the rock in his anger.
But yes we can overcome the human Sinful spirit through the finished work of the cross of our Lord Jesus.

Anonymous said...

Because Jesus came from a line of sinner ancestors. He alone was the only one imperfect without flaw... thanks for this blog.

anita said...

This site was very informative thanks. The bible alone is the only truth in this world so if u want the truth its the bible. As the bible says for all things will pass but His words will stand. This world is cruel and evil and its a blessing to have something that we can all believe and no that it would never fail.

mehak said...

.Quran Pak z the only true n unchangeable sOurce of infOrmation.

windy said...

what I believe is people are not born Christian or Atheist. We are born knowing nothing no knowledge at all. Only to grow up in the training and teaching of who our mother, dad, teacher, uncles etc. We find out from those who have become Christians that when we were born we're born into sin and unable to stop unless we receive Jesus who died for our sin and was raised that we can live an eternal life with Christ if we believe and serve him... Jesus. Now No one can confess this unless the Holy Spirit gives him permission to say and believe this IN his heart even though we weren't there it's counted to us as faith to those who believe. Baptism is to fulfill righteousness. There is One true God His name is Jehovah, the great I am, many names as far as the word being changed yes from Hebrew to Greek to Latin. I believe changed only to keep our main focus on how God created how man became who God is his character. The people how they were introduced to him many believed many didn't even those who did struggled sounds like us today...right well alot of word and many books had to be removed so we can focus on the how messed up we are and need a saviour. The people in the old testament their TESTAMENTS were placed to show they were just as messed up hopeless helpless unbelieving unfaithful rebellious as people are today. They had issues but God judged nations and only the people who refused to turn from their evil wicked sinful ways. Same today...people who call themselves Christians from what they think and they remain in a sinful nature they never change so so called died with the sinners when a nation or a people are destroyed. God sees the inside of a mans true heart or state of mind. He is judged by what He sees. You we have to be taught righteousness from God's views not mans our righteousness is filthy rags His forgiveness is forgive and forget cast into a sea spirituality to be forgotten. Us we don't forgive like that ...we say kill em hate em don't hang with them we crucify them. Even our love is not the same. But word was cut to show we our incapable of living saved without a saviour yes in the old testament they killed raped their was incest and God judged everyone who couldn't get it right. Well He loved us figured well these people I created just can't live right their sacrifices didn't work it had no power to save them and keep them saved. The laws He made they couldn't keep them. Now the new testament comes Jesus His only son God sends no other God has sent his son the rest are false their made of wood plastic worship of idolatry people things that have no ears or a mouth or no arms no hands. Jesus being the son came down submitted to something He had to do and only He could He had power in His blood to cleans us from the power and the effects of sin. No other could do it or has...He did it once for us all. The other books were removed so we could focus on that. If the other books were put there it would of taken away from our focusing on God and Jesus a saviour we definitely need. Either believe it or not but this is the truth. I was one born into sin and now a Christian free from the power to have to sin I'm filled the Holy Spirit is able to keep you from sinning He helps. All I know is I've experienced the evil the wicked and was sick I've seen healing prayed in His name people are healed. PEOPLE YOU MUST BE A DOER AND A HEARER OF THE NEW TESTAMENT THE OLD JUST SHOWS WERE WE'VE BEEN IN A PLACE SEPERATED FROM GOD NOW IN CHRIST NO LONGER DO WE HAVE TO BE IN BONDAGE TO SIN BUT CAN ACTUALLY LIVE SAVED IT'S A CHOICE WITH CHRIST IN HIS POWER IN ME I CAN LIVE SAVED. It's once to die one day and find out the false teachers and prophets unbelieving and atheist were wrong die and find there's a hell ...I believe I wasn't there but I believe. I wouldn't want to find out without Christ Jesus the unbelieving were wrong. Oh and it works having a real strong love for Jesus. #imnotashamedoftruth.

Anonymous said...

Everyone wants to proclaim their truth as the right truth. The Bible teaches us about the defendants of Abraham who came through Ishmael. They worship with the Qur'an. They claim to believe in one God, and advise us that the worship of Jesus Christ is sinful. However, Christ is to the Bible as Mohammed is to the Qur'an. So, don't be a hypocrite unless you are willing to deny Mohammed and worship God without any consideration of Mohammed. But, you would never do that because it goes against the very doctrine you are taught in the Qur'an. The greatest differences in our doctrine is that Christ died for our sins. The covenant was made through the Jews and then to the Gentiles. God sent His son Jesus Christ to die for our sins that through our faith in him we should not die, but have everlasting life. Mohammed did not fulfill such an ultimate sacrifice. Christ is my savior and I shall never deny Him before man. He says if anyone should deny Him, He will also deny them before His Father. I live by faith not by sight. May you have eyes to see and ears to hear. Amen

Anonymous said...

I was involved in a bad motorcycle accident last October. Woke up 3 days later in the hospital. 8 broken ribs 1 collapsed lung 1 major concussion. The doctor walked into the room and said if you don't get that crap out of your lung your going to die.At the time I didn't understand my lung was crushing my heart. Right after that time I came out of my body. My body meant nothing to me. I left the room and found my self in a huge area with cloud about waist height. I could feel HIM all around me. He shared deep profound thoughts with me. Next thing I know I received the offer from HIM. At the bible describes HIM speaking like thunder, I heard do you want to go home or go back. Thenlike THUNDER I heard my Wife's name and my two children names that still live at homes names. It was simply I had to go back. HE said it's going to hurt and it still does.

This sounds like craziness, I know it does. It still sounds cRaZy to me. The people above who understand WHO JESUS is are only trying to do you the Biggest possible favor you could ever ask for.
GOD, The LORD sent life rafts for everybody who has ever lived. You can choose to get in one or choose not to. But it is a choice you have made. Your be required the live Eternally with your choice. So choose well.

Unknown said...

Step back and get the facts. The Quran clearly states Jesus as a prophet. Look it and read it.he is clearly a significant figure in the Quran, appearing in 93 ayaat (or verses), though Noah, Adam and Moses appear with even greater frequency.[4] It states that Jesus was born to Mary (Arabic: Maryam) as the result of virginal conception, a miraculous event which occurred by the decree of God (Arabic: Allah). To aid in his ministry to the Jewish people, Jesus was given the ability to perform miracles (such as healing the blind, bringing dead people back to life, etc.) which no other prophet in Islam has ever been credited with, all by the permission of God rather than of his own power.
Just to let all know I'm Catholic . Everyone should do the readings bible Torah or Quran. Get the full story. Don't listen to what you are told read it for yourself. It been around a long time.

Anonymous said...

I will never look at Ammonites the same way again. Truly, they are the hindrance of all Christian progress.

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...