Jump to: Hitchcock's • ISBE • Easton's • Concordance • Thesaurus • Hebrew • Library • Subtopics • Terms Topical Encyclopedia Ben-ammi is a biblical figure mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically in the Book of Genesis. He is recognized as the progenitor of the Ammonites, a people frequently mentioned in the biblical narrative. The name "Ben-ammi" translates to "son of my people" in Hebrew, reflecting his origins and the circumstances of his birth.Biblical Account The account of Ben-ammi is found in Genesis 19:30-38. After the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, Lot and his two daughters took refuge in a cave in the mountains. Fearing the extinction of their family line, Lot's daughters devised a plan to preserve their lineage by having children through their father. On successive nights, they made their father drink wine and lay with him without his knowledge. The elder daughter bore a son named Moab, the ancestor of the Moabites, while the younger daughter bore Ben-ammi, the ancestor of the Ammonites. Genesis 19:38 states: "The younger daughter also gave birth to a son, and she named him Ben-ammi; he is the father of the Ammonites of today." Historical and Cultural Context The Ammonites, descendants of Ben-ammi, settled east of the Jordan River. They are frequently mentioned in the Old Testament as neighbors and often adversaries of the Israelites. The relationship between the Israelites and the Ammonites was complex, marked by periods of conflict and occasional alliances. The Ammonites worshiped their chief deity, Molech, and their religious practices, including child sacrifice, were condemned by the Israelites. Despite their contentious relationship, the Israelites were instructed by God not to harass or provoke the Ammonites, as they were related through Lot, Abraham's nephew (Deuteronomy 2:19). Theological Significance The account of Ben-ammi and the origins of the Ammonites serves as a reminder of the complexities of human relationships and the consequences of actions taken outside of God's guidance. The narrative highlights themes of family, survival, and the unfolding of God's plan through imperfect human circumstances. Throughout the biblical narrative, the Ammonites play a significant role in the history of Israel, serving as both a challenge and a means through which God tests and refines His people. The account of Ben-ammi and his descendants underscores the broader biblical theme of God's sovereignty and the unfolding of His purposes through the nations. Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary Ben-AmmiEaston's Bible Dictionary Son of my kindred; i.e., "born of incest", the son of Lot by his youngest daughter (Genesis 19:38). International Standard Bible Encyclopedia BEN-AMMIben-am'-i (ben `ammi, "son of my kinsman," Genesis 19:38): The progenitor of the Ammonites was a son of Lot's younger daughter, born after the destruction of Sodom. The account of his birth as well as that of Moab was commonly regarded as an expression of Israel's intense hatred and contempt toward these two nations. However, this idea is rather unwarranted, in view of the fact that the origin of the tribe of Judah (which is held in especial honor by J) is accounted for in a similiar way (Genesis 38). Gunkel (Schopfung und Chaos, 190) suggests that the narrative (Genesis 19:30-38) was originally a Moabitic account tracing the common origin of Moab and Ammon to Lot. It presupposes a universal catastrophe-such as the conflagration of Sodom and Gomorrah, Admah and Zeboim suggests-in which all the human race, save Lot and his two daughters, perished. In order to avert the extinction of the race, his daughters resorted to incestuous practices. In this case we have here a Moabite parallel to the Deluge story (Skinner, Genesis, 313-14). While the common origin of the two brother tribes is undoubtedly a fact (Judges 10:6; Judges 11:15, 18, 25 Deuteronomy 2:19 2 Chronicles 20, etc.), the folk-etymology of their names is rather suspicious. The name Ben-Ammi is probably derived from the deity "Emu," which is the name for Nergal among the shuchites on the West of the Euphrates a land which corresponds to the position of the Bene-`Ammo, "children of his people" (Numbers 22:5). The chief god of the Kataban Arabs was called Ammi (Hom., ZDMG, V, 95, 525, note 1). In cuneiform inscriptions this name appears as part of the title of the Ammonite rulers (HDB). Neubauer (Studia Biblica, 1-26) suggests that the name Balaam is a compound of Bel plus Am, that is, "Am is Lord." For other compounds with Ammi see Gray, HPN, 41-60. Strong's Hebrew 1151. Ben-ammi -- "son of my people," a son of LotBen-ammi. 1150, 1151. Ben-ammi. 1152 . "son of my people," a son of Lot. Transliteration: Ben-ammi Phonetic Spelling: (ben-am-mee') Short Definition: Ben- ... /hebrew/1151.htm - 6k Library The Nations of the South-East Chapter xix Thesaurus Benammi (1 Occurrence)... The name Ben-Ammi is probably derived from the deity "Emu," which is the name for Nergal among the shuchites on the West of the Euphrates ...Benammi (1 Occurrence ... /b/benammi.htm - 9k Ben-ammi (1 Occurrence) Ammon (100 Occurrences) Ammonites (97 Occurrences) Bench (1 Occurrence) Benai'ah (43 Occurrences) Younger (39 Occurrences) Ben (40 Occurrences) Beni-ammon (1 Occurrence) Ammi (2 Occurrences) Resources Who are the Black Hebrews / Black Israelites? | GotQuestions.orgWho were the Ammonites? | GotQuestions.org What is the significance of Moab in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Ben-ammi (1 Occurrence)Genesis 19:38 Subtopics Related Terms |
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