Bible Dictionaries
Tammuz
Holman Bible Dictionary
(tam' muhz)A Sumerian god of vegetation. The worship of Tammuz by women in Jerusalem was revealed as one of the abominations in Ezekiel (1 Samuel 8:14-15 ). According to the pagan religion, Tammuz was betrayed by his lover, Ishtar, and as a result dies each autumn. The wilting of the vegetation at that time of year is seen as a sign of his death. This caused great mourning in the ancient world, and was why the women in Jerusalem wept. See Fertility Cults.
Copyright Statement
These dictionary topics are from the Holman Bible Dictionary, published by Broadman & Holman, 1991. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Broadman & Holman.
Bibliography Information
Butler, Trent C. Editor. Entry for 'Tammuz'. Holman Bible Dictionary. https://www.studylight.org/​dictionaries/​eng/​hbd/​t/tammuz.html. 1991.