### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **ʻAmmôwn**, represented by `{{H5983}}`, refers to **Ammon**, a son of Lot, as well as his descendants and their country. It appears 105 times in 98 unique verses throughout the scriptures. The name is derived from `{{H5971}}`, meaning people, and signifies a tribal or inbred group, originating with Lot's younger daughter [[Genesis 19:38]].
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In the biblical narrative, the Ammonites are established as descendants of Lot `{{H3876}}` [[Genesis 19:38]], and God initially forbade Israel from taking their land [[Deuteronomy 2:19]]. Despite this shared ancestry, their relationship with Israel is overwhelmingly one of conflict. The LORD delivered Israel from the Ammonites during the time of the judges [[Judges 10:11]], and Jephthah led Israel in battle against them [[Judges 11:29]]. Later, Saul fought against them [[1 Samuel 14:47]], and David's forces destroyed them and besieged their capital city of Rabbah `{{H7237}}` [[2 Samuel 11:1]]. The Ammonites were also known for their worship of Molech `{{H4432}}`, an idol Solomon built a high place for, which is called an "abomination" [[1 Kings 11:7]].
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words provide a fuller context for the Ammonites:
* `{{H3876}}` **Lôwṭ** (Lot): As Abraham's nephew, Lot is the progenitor of the Ammonites. God gave the land of Ammon to the children of Lot as a possession [[Deuteronomy 2:19]].
* `{{H4124}}` **Môwʼâb** (Moab): Descended from Lot's other son, the Moabites were the brother-nation to the Ammonites and are frequently mentioned alongside them as adversaries of Israel ([[2 Chronicles 20:10]], [[Zephaniah 2:9]]).
* `{{H4432}}` **Môlek** (Molech) and `{{H4445}}` **Malkâm** (Milcom): These names refer to the national idol of the Ammonites, whose worship was considered an abomination and a source of defilement ([[1 Kings 11:7]], [[2 Kings 23:13]]).
* `{{H7237}}` **Rabbâh** (Rabbah): This was the primary city of the Ammonites, mentioned as the location of Og's giant bedstead [[Deuteronomy 3:11]] and as the target of sieges by Israel's army [[1 Chronicles 20:1]].
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of `{{H5983}}` is multifaceted, primarily defining a persistent adversary to God's people.
* **A Recurring Antagonist:** From the period of the judges through the monarchy, the Ammonites consistently appear as enemies of Israel, serving as a recurring source of conflict and a test of Israel's faith and military strength ([[Judges 10:7]], [[1 Samuel 14:47]]).
* **Object of Divine Judgment:** Prophets repeatedly pronounced judgment upon Ammon for their transgressions. Their cruelty, such as ripping up the pregnant women of Gilead to expand their territory [[Amos 1:13]], and their pride in reproaching Israel [[Zephaniah 2:8]], led to prophecies of their complete desolation [[Zephaniah 2:9]].
* **A Symbol of Idolatry:** The Ammonite worship of Molech `{{H4432}}` stands as a stark warning against idolatry. Solomon's construction of a high place for this "abomination" is a key factor in his turning away from the LORD ([[1 Kings 11:7]], [[1 Kings 11:33]]).
* **Subject to God's Sovereignty:** Despite their hostility, the Ammonites exist within the scope of God's sovereign plan. He initially protected their land for the sake of Lot [[Deuteronomy 2:19]] and even promised an eventual restoration of their captivity [[Jeremiah 49:6]].
### Summary
In summary, **ʻAmmôwn** `{{H5983}}` is more than just a name for a neighboring tribe. It represents a people group whose story is deeply intertwined with Israel's, serving as a constant antagonist from their shared ancestry in Lot. Through their history of conflict, idolatry, and the divine judgments they faced, the Ammonites illustrate crucial biblical themes of national sin, God's justice against His people's enemies, and His ultimate sovereignty over all nations.
TRV