The word "Tammuz" (IPA: /ˈtæmʊz/) refers to the fourth month in the Hebrew calendar, commonly celebrated as a time of mourning for the destruction of the First and Second Temples in ancient Israel. The spelling of this word in English comes from the original Hebrew name, which is spelled תַּמּוּז in the Hebrew alphabet. The word originates from the Babylonian deity Dumuzid, often associated with fertility, vegetation, and the cycle of life and death.
Tammuz is a noun that refers to a major deity in ancient Mesopotamian mythology and religion. In the mythological pantheon of the Babylonians and Sumerians, Tammuz was considered the god of vegetation and fertility, representing the cycle of life, death, and rebirth. He was commonly associated with the growth of crops and the annual renewal of nature, and his worship often involved rituals and celebrations surrounding agricultural cycles.
In mythology, Tammuz was believed to die every winter and be resurrected in the spring, symbolizing the annual decay and revival of vegetation. This cycle was closely linked to the changing seasons and the agricultural practices of ancient Mesopotamia. The death and rebirth of Tammuz were seen as metaphors for the regular rhythm of life and the natural processes of creation, growth, and harvest.
The worship of Tammuz was widespread in ancient Mesopotamia, and his cult was characterized by various rituals and festivals throughout the year. These included mourning rites during the annual period of Tammuz's death, followed by joyful celebrations upon his resurrection. Tammuz symbolism and mythology also influenced neighboring cultures, such as the Phoenicians and Hebrews, who incorporated similar motifs into their religious practices.
In modern usage, Tammuz may also refer to the fourth month of the ancient Babylonian and Hebrew calendars, corresponding roughly to the period of June and July in the Gregorian calendar.
According to some, the mystic name of the Egyptian god Osiris; a deity among the Syrians, in honour of whom the Hebrew idolatresses held an annual lamentation-said to be identical with the Phoenician Adonis; the tenth month of the jewish civil year, answering to a part of our June and July.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word "Tammuz" originates from ancient Mesopotamian culture and religion. It is derived from the Akkadian language, which was widely spoken in Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq and parts of Syria, Turkey, and Iran) during the ancient Babylonian and Assyrian empires.
In this context, Tammuz (also spelled Dumuzid) was a prominent deity associated with vegetation, fertility, and the cycle of life and death. He was believed to be a shepherd who died and was subsequently resurrected, symbolizing the cycle of nature. Tammuz was worshipped as a god of vegetation and represented the changing seasons, particularly the rebirth of nature after the dry summer months.
The etymology or origin of the word "Tammuz" in the Akkadian language is not entirely clear.