Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897)
Another form of the name Ben-ammi, the son of Lot (Gen. 19:38). This name is also used for his posterity (Ps. 83:7).
Smith's Bible Dictionary (1863)
(sons of renown, mountaineers), Am’monites, Children of Ammon, A people descended from Ben-ammi, the son of Lot by his younger daughter. (Genesis 19:38) comp Psal 83:7,8 The Ammonites are frequently mentioned with the Moabites (descendants of Ben-ammi’s half-brother), and sometimes under the same name. Comp. (Judges 10:6; 2 Chronicles 20:1; Zephaniah 2:8) etc. The precise position of the territory of the Ammonites is not ascertainable. In the
earliest mention of them, (2:20) they are said to have dwelt in their place, Jabbok being their border. (Numbers 21:24; 2:37; 3:16) (i.e. Land or country is, however, but rarely ascribed to them. Their capital city was Rabbath, called also Rabbath Ammon on the Jabbok. We find everywhere traces of the fierce habits of maranders in their incursions.) (1 Samuel 11:2; Amos 1:13) and a very high degree of crafty cruelty to their toes. (Jeremiah
41:6,7; Judges 17:11,12) Moab was the settled and civilized half of the nation of Lot, and Ammon formed its predatory and Bedouin section. On the west of Jordan they never obtained a footing. The hatred in which the Ammonites were held by Israel is stated to have arisen partly from their denial of assistance, (23:4) to the Israelites on their approach to Canaan. But whatever its origin the animosity continued in force to the latest date. The
tribe was governed by a king, (Judges 11:12) etc.; (1 Samuel 12:12; 2 Samuel 10:1; Jeremiah 40:14) and by “princes.” (2 Samuel 10:3; 1 Chronicles 19:3) The divinity of the tribe was Molech [Molech], and they were gross idolaters.
Hitchcock's Bible Names (1869)
a people; the son of my people
Schaff's Bible Dictionary
AM'MON, AND AMMONITES, LAND OF, etc., a mountainous country on the east side of the Salt Sea, reaching from the river Arnon to the Jabbok. Num 21:24; Deut 2:19,Gen 23:20. It lay to the north of the land of Moab; and "the land," "borders," or "cities" of the children of Ammon are noticed over 15 times in Old Testament history, and frequently with Moab. The precise extent of their country cannot be determined, as they appear to have led a
wandering, predatory life similar to that of the wild Arab tribes now in that region. Gilead was the best portion of their land. Among the cities held by them, sometimes, apparently, in common with Moab, were Heshbon, Rabbah, and Minnith. The land which the king of Ammon claimed in the time of the Judges, Jud 11:13, once belonged to a "king of Moab." Num 21:26.