Jeremiah 49:1

PROPHECY AGAINST AMMON, Jeremiah 49:1-6.

1. Concerning the Ammonites In descent and character the Ammonites were twin people with the Moabites, but probably less civilized, being largely nomadic, while the Moabites were a more settled people. The Ammonites laid claim to a portion of the territory which Sihon, king of the Amorites, had wrested from them, and which at his death was won by the Israelites, and were constantly seeking to recover it from the children of God to whom it had been apportioned. After the Gileadites were carried into captivity by Tiglath-pileser, the Ammonites succeeded to much of their territory, and from that time became more formidable than ever. Hath Israel no sons, etc. This is a question of reproach against the Ammonites, who had taken possession of Gilead as though the territory did not belong to the Gadites.

Their king The leading ancient Versions the Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate understand by the original here a proper name Melcom, the chief deity of the Ammonites, as does also the margin of the English Bible. The sense is not materially affected, though it must be confessed that it is more impressive to understand Melcom here as standing in the same relation as Chemosh in the prophecy concerning Moab. (See chap. Jeremiah 48:13.)

Gad The territory apportioned by Moses to this tribe.

Inherit Rather, take possession of.