עַמּוֹן (am.mon)
am.mon
Ammon
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 90 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The proper noun Ammon identifies a people group in Transjordan, descended from Lot through his son Ben-ammi. The name itself derives from the Hebrew word for "people" or "tribe," suggesting an identity rooted in kinship and shared lineage. This etymology highlights how ancient Israelite tradition viewed neighboring nations not just as political entities, but as extended family branches with complex historical ties to the patriarchs.
Scripture frequently uses Ammon to denote both the individual ancestor and the nation he founded. The text often refers to them as the "sons of Ammon," a phrase that appears in narratives of conflict, such as the battles recorded in Judges and Samuel. Their territory lay between the Jabbok and Arnon rivers, placing them in close proximity to Israel and making their interactions a recurring theme in biblical history.
The word also serves as a geographical marker for the land inhabited by these descendants. When prophets speak of judgment or restoration, mentioning Ammon often points to this specific region east of the Jordan. The consistent use of the name across historical books and prophetic writings underscores its significance as a distinct political and ethnic entity within the ancient Near East.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Ammon points to a people group descended from Lot, linking them by blood to Abraham’s family. This shared ancestry makes their history with Israel complex, marked by both conflict and divine boundaries. When God instructed Israel not to fight the Ammonites, He showed that even enemies have a place in His sovereign plan.
Reading about Ammon reminds us that our relationships are often layered with history. We may find ourselves in tension with those who feel we owe them something, or who claim rights over our lives. The biblical account shows that justice and peace require wisdom, not just force.
God’s commands to respect the borders of Ammon teach us to honor limits and seek peace where possible. Even when conflict arises, as in the time of Jephthah, we can trust that God sees the truth and judges fairly. This history invites us to rely on His wisdom rather than our own strength.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 90 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Ammon97×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- עַמּֽוֹן\׃18×
- עַמּ֔וֹן18×
- עַמּ֖וֹן14×
- עַמּ֑וֹן14×
- עַמּ֜וֹן8×
- עַמּ֗וֹן6×
- עַמּוֹן֙3×
- עַמּ֨וֹן3×
- עַמּ֤וֹן3×
- עַמּוֹן֮2×
- עַמּֽוֹן\׃\ \ס2×
- עַמּ֛וֹן2×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 19:38
The younger also bore a son, and called his name Ben Ammi. He is the father of the children of Ammon to this day.
This verse establishes the origin of the Ammonite people as descendants of Lot, highlighting their familial connection to Israel.
-
Deuteronomy 2:19
When you come near the border of the children of Ammon, don’t bother them, nor contend with them; for I will not give you any of the land of the children of Ammon for a possession, because I have given it to the children of Lot for a possession.”
God explicitly forbids Israel from attacking Ammon, showing that He reserves territory for other nations just as He does for His own people.
-
Judges 11:13
The king of the children of Ammon answered the messengers of Jephthah, “Because Israel took away my land when he came up out of Egypt, from the Arnon even to the Jabbok, and to the Jordan. Now therefore restore that territory again peaceably.”
The king of Ammon claims Israel stole his land, revealing the deep historical grievances that fueled their conflict with Jephthah.