Who Were the Ammonites, Moabites and Edomites in the Bible?
Ancient Israel’s neighbors east of the Jordan
Map of Ammon, Moab and Edom. Map by Biblical Archaeology Society.
When the kingdoms of Israel and Judah controlled the land of Canaan, the kingdoms of Ammon, Moab and Edom ruled east of the Jordan. Although the Bible offers information about these three Iron Age kingdoms, recent archaeological discoveries are bringing to light a fuller picture of them. In his article “Ammon, Moab and Edom: Gods and Kingdoms East of the Jordan,” published in the November/December 2016 issue of Biblical Archaeology Review, Joel S. Burnett examines the incredible archaeological discoveries from Ammon, Moab and Edom.
Who were the Ammonites?
Ammonite king. Standing more than 6.5 feet tall and dating to the Iron Age, this statue of an Ammonite king was uncovered in 2010 at Amman, Jordan. Who were the Ammonites? In the Bible and from archaeology, a full picture of the Ammonites is emerging. Photo: Joel S. Burnett
In the Bible, they are described as being descendants of Ben-ammi, who was the son of Lot (Abraham’s nephew) and Lot’s younger daughter (Genesis 19:38). The capital of the Iron Age kingdom of Ammon was Rabbah, which is located at modern-day Amman, Jordan. Burnett describes the boundaries of Ammon: “The Ammonite heartland comprised the north-central Transjordanian Plateau encircled by the upper Jabbok … within a 12.5-mile radius of its capital at the headwaters of the Jabbok.” The Ammonites’ primary deity was the god Milcom. Depictions of Milcom have been uncovered through archaeological excavations—as have representations of Ammonite kings, such as the monumental statue uncovered at Rabbah in 2010.
Who were the Moabites?
We learn about the Moabites in the Bible and in the famous Mesha Stele. Photo: “Stèle de Mésha” by Mbzt 2012 is licensed under CC-by-3.0
In the Bible, the Moabites are said to have descended from Moab, the son of Lot and his oldest daughter (Genesis 19:37). The kingdom of Moab stretched “north and south of the Arnon River” with its capital at Dibon. The Moabites worshiped the god Chemosh, who may be depicted in the Balua‘ Stele (dated to the end of Late Bronze Age). The most famous Moabite king—from the archaeological record at least—is Mesha. The large inscription he left behind is the longest Moabite text. Dating to the ninth century B.C.E., the Mesha Stele describes how King Mesha rescued the Moabites from Israelite rule.
Who were the Edomites?
Wearing a three-horned headdress, this Edomite goddess figurine was discovered at Horvat Qitmit. Photo: “Edomite Goddess, Qitmit” by Chamberi is licensed under CC-by-SA-3.0
In the Bible, the Edomites are the descendants of Esau, Jacob’s twin and Isaac’s oldest son (Genesis 36). The Edomites controlled an area east of the Arabah, from the Zered to the Gulf of Aqaba. Their capital was Bozrah, which sat in the northern part of their territory. Although no name of an Edomite deity is given in the Bible, archaeologists know from inscriptions that the Edomites’ principal deity was Qaus (or Qos). Several Edomite places of worship and cultic figurines have been uncovered. One of the most notable is the depiction of an Edomite goddess wearing a three-horned headdress from the site of Qitmit, Israel.
The kingdoms of Ammon, Moab and Edom fought with the Israelites and the Judahites over territory. The Bible presents things from the Israelites’ and Judahites’ point of view, and archaeological discoveries help show us the other side. By looking at what these ancient peoples wrote and left behind, we are able to better understand their perspective. We now have a fuller picture of their kings, gods and daily life.
To learn more about the kingdoms of Ammon, Moab and Edom, read Joel S. Burnett’s comprehensive article “Ammon, Moab and Edom: Gods and Kingdoms East of the Jordan,” in the November/December 2016 issue of Biblical Archaeology Review.
Subscribers: Read the full article “Ammon, Moab and Edom: Gods and Kingdoms East of the Jordan,” by Joel S. Burnett in the November/December 2016 issue of Biblical Archaeology Review.
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This Bible History Daily feature was originally published on October 12, 2016.
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Where did all you people with the weird idea of transposing Middle Eastern peoples and cultures to 21st Century identity politics? Don’t you know that the Edomites, who were culturally and linguistically close to the Jews anyway, were incorporated into the Jewish People at the time of the Maccabis? That King Herod was of Edomite origin (at least half)? Therefore all Jews are part Edomites – but certainly not Africans (except for Ibo and some other Tribes). For example, the Jewish custom of the Ketuba in marriage is apparently of Edomite origin
I have no idea how that fits into your PC American discussion, nor should it.
that’s a huge leap to say ALL jews are part edomite don’t you think? i think you need to get more info on what you’re trying to cast doubt on before you make mistakes like the one you have made here. africans (indigenous hamites) are NOT israelites. nobody is making that claim. there are people who are israelites in africa and have been for millennia. these israelites were taken up in the slave trade to the americas. this is historically proven. there has also been intermixed couples between hamites and israelites throughout the bible so how you say “certainly not africans” seems a bit ignorant at best. israel is waking up to the true history and realizing who we are just as scripture prophesied thousands of years ago. this isn’t hard to see and many outside of the movement support it and agree. igbo and the “some other tribes” aren’t african. they’re israel. BLOOD related to the prophets and therefore semites and not hamites. they stayed among their kind and have had little to no mixture with surrounding populations so they still look like israel did in biblical times. the way israel was depicted before the time of the iconoclasm carried out by the europeans. it would be harder to believe israel is mostly “caucasian” looking than to accept that they are more like american ” blacks” if you didn’t have people creating racism and trying to hide the history. you can still find it if you look but you would have to want the truth as opposed to trying to hold to current racist ideologies which try to depict everything in history as “white” and everything “black” as african. this is not the case.
Well said & totally true.
You people… Lack of knowledge destroys HIS people.
Alex you ignored completely Numbers 1:18 Ezra’s 2:59 hence making Herod full Edom. His mother was a Levtie not Herod nor his father.
Lot’s daughters slept with their father, not their brothers. Their offspring were Moab and Ben-Ammi.
Correct!!
They did sleep with their father–and the male offspring they had were also their brothers.
Let’s pray all edomites, ammonites & moabites in the present day come to the knowledge of Christ & receive their Salvation. In Jesus , The Father & The Holy Spirit we pray . Amen.
Jesus is a pagan deity, man made.
Why are you so angry? Calm down… It’s only the meek and lowly Jesus in heart: in whom if you give Him your thoughts, ye shall find rest unto your soul. Don’t believe the Rumors, introduce yourself to Him and get to know Him for yourself. Then your judgment will be true. You cannot make a fair judgment against water you have not tasted…
This demonic article on Biblical people of Israel has got to be from the most ignorant person, or a person with intent to destroy the obvious history of Israel. There are still 500 words of Hebrew still spoken in Celtic Gaelic today. Ire-land means Isreal-Land. The ships of Tarshish filled with TIN are the great Tin Mines of Ireland, that Solomon traded with. Brit-Ish means Covenant-Man (Abraham’s covenant with God). Scott-land means Land-of Isaac.
Every scholar in the world who studies at anything knows all this. Even the Founding Father’s of USA knew this, and marked the US Constitution from the Bible Laws of their ancestors.
What rock did you climb out from under? If this is your idea of Biblical scholarship then please stop!!
The book of Genesis purports to depict where the Moabites, Ammonites, and Edomites came from — and in all 3 cases their origins are depicted in an ignoble fashion. Did the two former peoples really have their origins through father/daughter incest, as Genesis claims? Or is that ‘history’ a slander intended to deny the rights of those people to fair treatment by invading Israelites who coveted their land? And di Esau actually exist? Or is he a fictional character who had the Birthright yet forfeited it for the sake of a bowl of soup, thereby making Jacob/Israel the inheritor of the Birthright? How much of Genesis is political propaganda designed to disenfranchise the indigenous people who were there before the Israelites who coveted the land showed up and waged war for it? The same goes for the origin story given in Genesis regarding Canaan, the baby conceived through mother/son incest — his descendants prophesied to become the slaves of his brother-uncles Shem and Japheth.
This is ridiculous! If you don’t understand or don’t believe the Bible that’s on you. Good luck with that! The article has many errors in it & lies about the origin of Ammon & Moab.
Believe THE BIBLE…BASIC INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE LEAVING EARTH….
Hi ! I am sorry that I am about 5 years too late to join this discussion….but I can add to the dispute about the colour of Esau who is described “red”…….and, more importantly, of the colour of JESUS. Many claim that no description of HIM is given…yet that is not really accurate to say !! IF you read –and believe — the Bible !! Luke ch 1 v 32 states:- “He ( JESUS ) shall be great ..and HE shall be given the throne of HIS FATHER, DAVID.” And 2 Sam. ch 7 v 12 ( and elsewhere,) tells us that JESUS shall be of the seed of DAVID…NOT a descendant of David years later.. BUT of the seed taken by GOD from David’s OWN body..whilst lying with his fathers.”
JESUS was a MAN…chosen by GOD — from amongst the people (by the way !!!!)
The point I make here is that a description of DAVID is given. He is described as “fair..(blond), tall… (enough to try on Saul’s armour…..who was the tallest man amongst Israel…(That is not necessarily hereditary but an indication)….and -being “fair” couldn’t be confused as either being of middle-eastern colour OR African colour…I humbly suggest.. You see, if one insists on an incarnation instead of JESUS being a man..chosen from amongst the Brethren ( Deut. cu 18 vs 15, 18 and 19 –) as GOD tells us, –then, I am afraid one creates irreconcilable problems for oneself !! (BUT it does permit the false belief many churches teach-of a trinity god….instead of ONE ALMIGHTY GOD eg. Isaiah ch 45 ! )
(And then fantasy takes over !!) rodd.
Watch your mouth, you speak as though you have complete knowledge of the scripture. just like you hold on to your opinion as FINAL. Someone else feels the same way… What makes you right? Where is the Workman’s evidence that brought you to your complete conclusion concerning all you mentioned? Others also have the rights to their Denominational indoctrination until TRUTH from scripture is rightly divided and received… without bias to Denominational beliefs. Be afraid to so freely speak that which you have no aged knowledge/understanding of.
Again one must not rely on translation the Hebrew is “Tov Roee” good looking while the English simply may say fair! Dovid Melech, King David was middle eastern not caucasian, and certainly not black, shalom.