The Ammonites, descendants of Lot through his younger daughter (Genesis 19:38), were a people often in conflict with the Israelites throughout the Old Testament. Their territory was located east of the Jordan River, in what is now modern-day Jordan. The Ammonites are frequently depicted in the Bible as a nation deeply entrenched in idolatry and superstitious practices, which were in stark contrast to the monotheistic worship of Yahweh by the Israelites.

The Ammonites' religious practices were centered around the worship of their chief deity, Molech (also spelled Milcom), a god associated with child sacrifice. This abhorrent practice is explicitly condemned in the Scriptures. In Leviticus 18:21, the Israelites are commanded, "You must not give any of your children to be sacrificed to Molech, for you must not profane the name of your God. I am the LORD." The Ammonites' devotion to Molech is indicative of their superstitious nature, as they believed such sacrifices would secure favor and prosperity.

The superstitious character of the Ammonites is further highlighted in their interactions with Israel. In Judges 10:6-7, the Israelites fell into idolatry, serving the gods of the surrounding nations, including the gods of the Ammonites. This led to their oppression by the Ammonites, as the LORD's anger burned against Israel: "So the anger of the LORD burned against Israel, and He sold them into the hands of the Philistines and the Ammonites, who that year shattered and crushed them."

The Ammonites' reliance on their gods and superstitious practices is also evident in their military engagements. In 1 Samuel 11, Nahash the Ammonite besieged Jabesh-gilead, and his cruel terms for surrender—gouging out the right eye of every man—demonstrate a belief in the power of intimidation and fear, tactics often associated with superstitious beliefs in curses and omens.

King Solomon, despite his wisdom, fell into the trap of idolatry through his marriages to foreign women, including Ammonite wives. 1 Kings 11:5-7 records, "Solomon followed Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians and Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites." This led to Solomon building high places for these deities, further illustrating the pervasive influence of Ammonite superstition and idolatry.

The prophets also spoke against the Ammonites for their idolatrous practices. In Jeremiah 49:1-2, the LORD declares judgment against Ammon: "Concerning the Ammonites, this is what the LORD says: 'Has Israel no sons? Has he no heir? Why then has Molech taken possession of Gad, and his people settled in their cities? Therefore behold, the days are coming,' declares the LORD, 'when I will sound the battle cry against Rabbah of the Ammonites; it will become a mound of ruins, and its villages will be burned with fire.'"

The Ammonites' superstitious character, rooted in their idolatrous worship and practices, stands as a testament to the spiritual dangers of turning away from the one true God. Their history serves as a cautionary tale for the Israelites and for all who are tempted to forsake the LORD for the false security offered by superstitions and idols.Jeremiah 27:3,9
And send them to the king of Edom, and to the king of Moab, and to the king of the Ammonites, and to the king of Tyrus, and to the king of Zidon, by the hand of the messengers which come to Jerusalem to Zedekiah king of Judah;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Syria at the Beginning of the Egyptian Conquest
... element, which, while modifying its homogeneity, did not destroy its natural character. ...
the children of Ishmael and Edom, the Moabites and Ammonites, who were ...
/.../chapter iisyria at the beginning.htm

The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire
... G. Rawlinson takes a somewhat different view of Cyaxares' character; he admits that
Cyaxares knew how to win victories, but refuses to credit him with the ...
/.../chapter iiithe medes and the.htm

An Exposition on the First Ten Chapters of Genesis, and Part of ...
... many editions of Bunyan's works: but in all, except the first, with the omission
of the scripture references; and with errors of so serious a character as if ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/an exposition on the first.htm

Who were the Ammonites? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Jephthah? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about child sacrifice? | GotQuestions.org

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus