μαμμωνᾶς
mammōnâs
G3126 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Wealth, property, or money, particularly as a material resource that can become a focus of trust or devotion; in specific contexts, often personified as a master or object of worship, symbolizing the dangers of materialism and acquisitiveness. The word is used to denote not only tangible riches but also the system of economic values and priorities that can rival or replace devotion to God.
Semantic Range
wealth, riches, property, material assets, economic value, object of trust or allegiance, personified wealth as a master or rival to God
Root / Etymology
Derived from an Aramaic term (māmōnā) meaning 'wealth' or 'property', which is related to the Hebrew מָמוֹן (māmōn). Its ultimate origin is debated; it may be connected to a Semitic root meaning 'to trust' or 'that in which one puts trust'. Not originally personified in Semitic usage; the personification appears in later Jewish and early Christian contexts.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, μαμμωνᾶς does not occur; its appearance is primarily in Jewish and early Christian literature, most notably in the Gospels (e.g., Matt 6:24; Luke 16:9–13). In these texts, the term is commonly personified—seen not merely as neutral wealth but as a potential rival master to God. The semantic range includes both everyday material wealth and the broader concept of a power or principle that captures human loyalty. The English 'mammon' is a transliteration rather than a translation, and sometimes fails to communicate the nuance of personified attachment or divided allegiance. Earlier Semitic usage did not personify the term; the New Testament innovation is its depiction as competing with God as an object of service or trust. For comparison, ἐξουσία (power, authority) can also become personified, but with distinct shades of meaning. 'Mammon' in popular and theological tradition often connotes a demon or deity, but in the biblical context it is primarily property as an alternative object of devotion. The word's rarity outside Jewish-Greek and early Christian texts highlights its specific religious and cultural resonance in those communities.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
of Chaldee origin (confidence, i.e. wealth, personified); mammonas, i.e. avarice (deified):--mammon.
Root Family
μαμμων- (mammōnâs) — wealth, property, money
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3126-01 |
μαμωνᾷ | mamona | N DAT M SG |
mammon | to wealth | Mammonas | 4 |
Occurrences in Scripture
4 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3126-01 |
Matthew 6:24 | μαμωνᾷ | mamona | N DAT M SG |
mammon | to wealth | Mammonas |
G3126-01 |
Luke 16:9 | μαμωνᾶ | mamona | N GEN M SG |
mammon | to wealth | Mammonas |
G3126-01 |
Luke 16:11 | μαμωνᾷ | mamona | N DAT M SG |
mammon | to wealth | Mammonas |
G3126-01 |
Luke 16:13 | μαμωνᾷ | mamona | N DAT M SG |
mammon | to wealth | Mammonas |