Ammonites

Ammonites, a Semitic race of people, living on the edge of the Syrian Desert; according to Gen. xix. 38, the descendants of Lot, and closely akin to the Moabites. They inhabited the country lying to the north of Moab, between the rivers Arnon and Jabbok. Their chief city was Rabbath-Ammon. The Israelites were often at war with them. Jephthah defeated them with great slaughter, and they were also overcome by Saul, David, Uzziah, and Jotham; but after the fall of the kingdom of Israel (721 B.C.), they spread themselves in the districts east of the Jordan. They sometimes secured the alliance of Syria, of Nebuchadnezzar, and of Arabian tribes, in their wars with the Jews. After the captivity, they endeavoured to hinder the restoration of the Jewish state, but were finally conquered by Judas Maccabæus. Justin Martyr affirms that in his time the Ammonites were still numerous. From the name of their princes, it is evident that their language was closely akin to Hebrew. Their chief deity was Moloch, and under that head their religion is discussed.