Mammon
Question from a reader:
Hello Sir,
I am a student conducting research on the word “mammon,” variations of which translates into many languages as “wealth” or “greed.” I am told that there is a Phoenician word, “mommon” which means “benefit.” Is that true? Could you direct me to a source where I might verify this? If not, do you know of any Phoenician word (or deity) that approximates “mammon.”
Thank you.
Answer:
Dear Sir,
Sorry for the late reply.
Actually, there is a Phoenician word “mmn”, “๐ค๐ค๐ค” or even probably “mmwn” “๐ค๐ค๐ค ๐ค”.
The word means “wealth” as well. (Vattioni). It ties with a couple of words that still are alive in the modern Lebanese language, one of which is “mooni”, meaning “food” which is stacked for the winter, or in general, something which is stored in time of wealth for harder times in the future.
The word is also said to be a Phoenician deity by the name “Mommon”. It is mentioned in the bible when Jesus said that you cannot worship two masters “God and Mammon” Matthew 6:19-21,24. I myself has not seen an inscription that attests to that god, but it might exist.
Best Regards,
Maroun Kassab
