25:2 Ammonites. The Ammonites were descended from Lot (Genesis 19:38), and so were related to Israel. Nevertheless, they were inveterate enemies of Israel, as well as idolatrous and immoral. However, they were very prosperous, living in the region east of the Jordan, and boasting many strong and prosperous cities. This is the region now known as Trans-Jordan, or simply Jordan. Its ancient capital was Rabbah, meaning “City of Waters.” It continued as a prosperous country until well into the Christian era.

25:2 against them. In spite of their long prosperity, God prophesied through Ezekiel that the Ammonites would be conquered by “men of the east” (Ezekiel 25:4), and that its capital would become a “stable for camels” and a “couching place for flocks” (Ezekiel 25:5). It was also predicted that Rabbah would become “a desolate heap” (Jeremiah 49:2). All of this came to pass many centuries later, when the country was taken over by Bedouins from Arabia, with their vast flocks of sheep and herds of camels. For many ensuing centuries, Rabbah or Rabbath-Ammon, as it was also called, was indeed a “desolate heap.” See note on Jeremiah 49:6.