Tammuz
Culture & Societyâš¡ IN BRIEF (SUMMARY)
Tammuz, identified with the Sumerian Dumuzid, was a Mesopotamian deity of vegetation and fertility whose mythological death and resurrection symbolized the annual cycle of plant growth and decay.
What is the meaning of Tammuz in the Bible?
Tammuz, identified with the Sumerian Dumuzid, was a Mesopotamian deity of vegetation and fertility whose mythological death and resurrection symbolized the annual cycle of plant growth and decay.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding Tammuz clarifies the context of Ezekiel 8:14, where women weep for the god at the temple entrance, revealing the extent of syncretistic idolatry that the biblical prophets condemned as a violation of exclusive covenant loyalty to Yahweh.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
- Why did the biblical author mention Tammuz in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Tammuz clarify?
Source Attribution & Provenance
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE) and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been editorially modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and formatted for fast contextual reference.