עַמּוֹנִית

𐤏𐤌𐤅𐤍𐤉𐤕

Amonit

H5985 noun

SILEX Entry

Root עַמּוֹן people of Ammon, belonging to Ammon

Definition

Feminine demonym referring to a woman of Ammonite ancestry or identity, specifically designating a female member of the people of Ammon, an ancient neighbor to the east of Israel. The term is used in genealogical, legal, and narrative contexts to distinguish Ammonite women, often in relation to marital or social boundaries in Israelite society. In rare cases, may refer generally to things belonging to or associated with Ammonite women.

Semantic Range

Ammonite woman, female member of Ammon, woman of Ammonite descent, used as a feminine adjective in attribution

Root / Etymology

Derived from the root ע-מ-נ (עַמּוֹן, Ammon), which denotes the people of Ammon, with the feminine -ִית (-ith) suffix forming a gendered demonym. The masculine form is עַמּוֹנִי (ʻAmmônî), 'Ammonite (male or general)'; the feminine form is עַמּוֹנִית (ʻAmmôwnîyth), 'Ammonite (female)'.

Historical & Contextual Notes

The term עַמּוֹנִית appears rarely, but notably refers to women of the Ammonite people, who historically lived east of the Jordan River. In biblical law (e.g., Deuteronomy 23:4), there were restrictions on marriage with people from Ammon and Moab. The distinction between masculine and feminine demonyms is primarily relevant in genealogical or marital contexts (such as referring to Naamah the Ammonitess, mother of Rehoboam, 1 Kings 14:21). English translations typically render this as 'Ammonitess' or 'Ammonite woman,' but may obscure the specifically feminine aspect when using the form 'Ammonite.' Later Jewish and Christian translations might use 'Ammonite' as a generic term, but in Hebrew the gendered form is precise. The English word 'Ammonite' can refer to both men and women in modern translations, but this does not capture the lexical precision of the Hebrew form. The term reflects geographic and ethnic, rather than religious, identification. The usage does not imply anachronistic identities such as 'Jew' but should be understood within the regional context of ancient West Asia.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

feminine of עַמּוֹנִי; an Ammonitess; Ammonite(-ss).

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

עמון (ʿ-m-n (ʿammôn)) — people of Ammon, belonging to Ammon

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H5985-01 הָ/עַמֹּנִֽית haamonit HTd/Ngfsa the Ammonitess the Ammonite woman 4

Occurrences in Scripture

4 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H5985-01 1 Kings 14:21 הָ/עַמֹּנִֽית haamonit HTd/Ngfsa the Ammonite the Ammonite woman
H5985-01 1 Kings 14:31 הָ/עַמֹּנִ֑ית haamonit HTd/Ngfsa the Ammonitess the Ammonite woman
H5985-01 2 Chronicles 12:13 הָֽ/עַמֹּנִֽית haamonit HTd/Ngfsa the Ammonitess the Ammonite woman
H5985-01 2 Chronicles 24:26 הָֽ/עַמּוֹנִ֔ית haamonit HTd/Ngfsa the Ammonitess the Ammonite woman