Thammuz
Culture & SocietyWhat is the meaning of Thammuz in the Bible?
Thammuz is an alternate spelling for Tammuz, a Babylonian god associated with fertility and vegetation, whose cultic practices involved lamentation rituals marking his seasonal descent into the underworld.
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 corruption of Israelite worship.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Ancient Cultural Lens: Avoid applying 21st-century Western assumptions to Thammuz. Examine how first-century or Near Eastern listeners understood this practice within their daily social dynamics.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Thammuz in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Thammuz clarify?
Scripture Passages Mentioned:
Ezekiel 8:14
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.
How to Cite This Entry
"Thammuz." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/thammuz/