15: Mammon — מַמּוֹנָא (Further Cultural Insights)

1. Term: Mammon — מַמּוֹנָא

Meaning: Wealth, riches, or material possessions; often personified as a false master or idol.

2. Historical-Cultural Context:

  • Mammon was more than just “money”—it represented a system or power that could dominate human life and loyalty.
  • In the socio-economic context of first-century Palestine, wealth was often linked to power, corruption, and moral compromise.
  • The personification of mammon as a “master” reflects the biblical warning against idolatry and misplaced trust.

3. Literary Examples:

  • Matthew 6:24 — “No one can serve two masters… You cannot serve God and mammon.”
  • Luke 16:9 — “Make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous mammon…”

4. Cultural Significance:

  • Mammon illustrates the tension between spiritual devotion and materialism in Jewish and early Christian communities.
  • Understanding mammon’s cultural weight helps interpret Jesus’ teachings on wealth and discipleship.
  • It highlights the ethical and theological challenges of wealth in a religious context.
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