The Moabites were a people descended from Moab, the son of Lot and his elder daughter, as recorded in Genesis 19:37. They settled in the region east of the Dead Sea, in what is now modern-day Jordan. The Moabites are frequently mentioned in the Old Testament, often in conflict with the Israelites. Despite their kinship with the Israelites, the Moabites were considered a pagan nation, worshiping the god Chemosh (Numbers 21:29).

The relationship between Israel and Moab was complex, marked by both hostility and cooperation. During the Exodus, the Moabites refused to provide passage to the Israelites (Judges 11:17), and King Balak of Moab attempted to curse Israel through the prophet Balaam (Numbers 22-24). However, there were also periods of peace and intermarriage, as seen in the account of Ruth, a Moabite woman who became the great-grandmother of King David (Ruth 1:4, 4:13-17).

The Moabites were eventually subdued by King David (2 Samuel 8:2), and their land was incorporated into his kingdom. However, they regained independence after the division of the united monarchy. The Moabite Stone, an ancient inscription, provides additional historical context, detailing the reign of King Mesha of Moab and his rebellion against Israel (2 Kings 3:4-27).

Ammonites

The Ammonites were descendants of Ben-Ammi, the son of Lot and his younger daughter (Genesis 19:38). They inhabited the region east of the Jordan River, north of Moab. Like the Moabites, the Ammonites were often in conflict with Israel, despite their shared ancestry.

The Ammonites are first mentioned in the context of their refusal to allow the Israelites passage through their land during the Exodus (Deuteronomy 2:19). They were known for their worship of the god Milcom, also called Molech, to whom they offered child sacrifices (1 Kings 11:7).

Throughout the period of the Judges and the monarchy, the Ammonites frequently opposed Israel. They oppressed the Israelites during the time of Jephthah (Judges 11:4-33) and later fought against King Saul (1 Samuel 11:1-11). King David defeated the Ammonites and subjected them to Israelite rule (2 Samuel 12:26-31), but they regained independence after the division of the kingdom.

The Ammonites were eventually conquered by the Babylonians, and their presence diminished significantly in the biblical narrative. However, their legacy persisted, as seen in the prophetic writings that pronounce judgment against them (Jeremiah 49:1-6; Ezekiel 25:1-7).

Meunites

The Meunites, also referred to as the Maonites, were a lesser-known group mentioned in the Old Testament. They are believed to have been a nomadic or semi-nomadic people inhabiting the region south of Judah, possibly in the area of Edom or the Arabian Desert.

The Meunites are first mentioned in the context of King Jehoshaphat's reign, when they joined forces with the Moabites and Ammonites to attack Judah (2 Chronicles 20:1). This coalition was miraculously defeated by divine intervention, as the Lord set ambushes against them, leading to their self-destruction (2 Chronicles 20:22-23).

Later, during the reign of King Uzziah, the Meunites were subdued and forced to pay tribute to Judah (2 Chronicles 26:7). This indicates that they were a persistent threat to the southern kingdom, although they never achieved the prominence of the Moabites or Ammonites.

The Meunites are not mentioned extensively in the biblical text, and their exact identity and location remain somewhat obscure. However, their inclusion in the biblical narrative highlights the diverse and often hostile environment in which the Israelites lived, surrounded by various peoples and cultures.