1. Aramaic Term: Mammon — מַמּוֹנָא
Pronunciation: mam-MOH-nah
Meaning: Wealth, riches, or material possessions; often personified as a false master or idol.
2. Biblical Usage:
- Used by Jesus to describe the pursuit of wealth and materialism as competing with God’s kingdom.
- Emphasizes the dangers of serving money over God.
3. Example Verses:
- 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 reflects the economic realities and moral challenges of wealth in Jewish and early Christian contexts.
- Personification of mammon as a “master” highlights its power to dominate human allegiance.
- This term shows how Aramaic influenced Jesus’ teaching vocabulary and ethical instruction.