feminine of עַמּוֹנִי; an Ammonitess; Ammonite(-ss).
Transliteration:ʻAmmôwnîyth
Pronunciation:am-mo-neeth'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term עַמּוֹנִית (H5985), transliterated as ʻAmmôwnîyth, is the feminine form of עַמּוֹנִי (`{{H5984}}`). Its core meaning is straightforward: "an Ammonitess" or "a female Ammonite." It serves as a national and gendered identifier, referring specifically to a woman from the ancient nation of Ammon. While its denotation is simple, its semantic range is deeply embedded in the historical and theological narrative of Israel, carrying connotations of foreignness, hostility towards Israel, and, most significantly, a source of spiritual danger due to idolatry and prohibited intermarriage. The Ammonites were descendants of Ben-Ammi, the son of Lot and his younger daughter ([[Genesis 19:38]]), establishing a kinship, albeit often adversarial, with the Israelites.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term עַמּוֹנִית (H5985) appears in several key biblical passages, each contributing to its loaded meaning:
* **Deuteronomy 23:3-6**: This foundational legal text explicitly prohibits an Ammonite or Moabite from entering the assembly of the Lord, even to the tenth generation. The reason given is their lack of hospitality to Israel during the Exodus and their hiring of Balaam to curse them. This passage establishes a profound theological barrier and negative association with the Ammonites, including their female members.
* **Nehemiah 13:1**: This verse reiterates the prohibition from Deuteronomy 23:3, serving as a basis for Nehemiah's reforms against foreign intermarriage and the expulsion of foreign elements from the temple precincts. The mention of "Ammonite" here underscores the enduring relevance of the Mosaic law regarding separation.
* **1 Kings 11:1**: This is a pivotal occurrence, stating that King Solomon "loved many foreign women, besides the daughter of Pharaoh: Moabite, Ammonite, Edomite, Sidonian, and Hittite women." The inclusion of "Ammonite" among these wives is critical, as the passage immediately follows by detailing how these women turned Solomon's heart away to other gods ([[1 Kings 11:4]]). This highlights the עַמּוֹנִית as a direct catalyst for spiritual apostasy and a violation of covenant fidelity.
* **2 Chronicles 12:13** (and **1 Kings 14:21**): These verses identify Naamah as "an Ammonitess," the mother of King Rehoboam, Solomon's successor. This detail is highly significant. Despite the prohibition against Ammonites, an Ammonitess bore the heir to the Davidic throne. Her identity serves as a subtle but powerful reminder of Solomon's disobedience and the foreign influence that permeated the royal line, contributing to the spiritual decline and eventual division of the kingdom under Rehoboam.
Across these contexts, the עַמּוֹנִית is consistently presented as an outsider, legally excluded from the covenant community, and a potential, if not actual, source of spiritual corruption due to their idolatrous background.
### Related Words & Concepts
The study of עַמּוֹנִית (H5985) is enriched by examining related terms and concepts:
* עַמּוֹנִי (`{{H5984}}`): The masculine form, "Ammonite," which shares the same negative connotations and legal status.
* עַמּוֹן (`{{H5983}}`): The geographical and national entity of "Ammon," the people and their land.
* לוֹט (`{{H3875}}`): Lot, the patriarchal figure through whom the Ammonites (and Moabites) trace their lineage ([[Genesis 19:38]]), providing a familial but often estranged connection to Israel.
* מוֹאָבִיָּה (`{{H4125}}`): "Moabitess," the feminine counterpart to עַמּוֹנִית, often paired with it in legal prohibitions and discussions of foreign wives, particularly in the case of Ruth, who, despite being a Moabitess, is presented as an exception through her conversion and faithfulness.
* Concepts of **idolatry**, **intermarriage**, **covenant faithfulness**, **exclusion from the assembly**, and **apostasy** are intrinsically linked to the presence and actions of the עַמּוֹנִית in the biblical narrative. The term serves as a shorthand for the dangers of compromising Israel's distinctiveness and commitment to Yahweh.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of עַמּוֹנִית (H5985) is profound, touching upon core themes of Israelite identity, divine holiness, and the consequences of disobedience.
1. **Covenant Purity and Separation**: The explicit prohibition against Ammonites entering the assembly of the Lord ([[Deuteronomy 23:3]]) underscores God's demand for purity within His covenant community. The Ammonites' historical antagonism and lack of compassion towards Israel (not meeting them with bread and water, hiring Balaam) marked them as outside the sphere of covenant fellowship. This legal exclusion highlights the importance of spiritual separation from those who actively oppose God's purposes or embody idolatrous practices.
2. **The Peril of Syncretism**: The most vivid theological warning associated with עַמּוֹנִית comes through the narrative of King Solomon. His marriage to Ammonitesses (among other foreign women) directly led to the introduction of foreign deities into Israel and the construction of high places for their worship ([[1 Kings 11:7-8]]). This act of spiritual compromise, fueled by his foreign wives, precipitated divine judgment and the division of the kingdom. The עַמּוֹנִית thus becomes a symbol of the seductive power of idolatry and the devastating consequences of spiritual syncretism for God's people and their leadership.
3. **Consequences of Disobedience**: The fact that Naamah, an Ammonitess, was the mother of Rehoboam ([[1 Kings 14:21]], [[2 Chronicles 12:13]]) serves as a stark reminder of the long-term ramifications of royal disobedience. Solomon's disregard for the Mosaic law regarding foreign alliances and marriages had direct consequences for the subsequent leadership of Israel, contributing to a reign marked by spiritual decline and national fragmentation. This illustrates the principle that personal choices, especially by leaders, can have far-reaching theological and historical implications.
### Summary
The term עַמּוֹנִית (H5985) refers to a female from the nation of Ammon. While a simple national identifier, its biblical usage carries significant theological weight. Rooted in the Ammonites' historical antagonism towards Israel and their exclusion from the assembly of the Lord ([[Deuteronomy 23:3]]), the term primarily functions as a warning against spiritual compromise. The most prominent example is the Ammonitess Naamah, mother of King Rehoboam, whose lineage serves as a stark reminder of King Solomon's disobedience in marrying foreign women. The presence of עַמּוֹנִית in the royal court directly contributed to the introduction of idolatry and subsequent divine judgment, underscoring the critical importance of covenant purity, the dangers of syncretism, and the enduring consequences of disobedience to God's commands regarding separation from idolatrous influences. The עַמּוֹנִית thus encapsulates a profound biblical lesson on the necessity of spiritual fidelity.
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