Matthew 6:24

Οὐδεὶς δύναται δυσὶ κυρίοις δουλεύειν· ἢ γὰρ τὸν ἕνα μισήσει, καὶ τὸν ἕτερον ἀγαπήσει· ἢ ἑνὸς ἀνθέξεται, καὶ τοῦ ἑτέρου καταφρονήσει. Οὐ δύνασθε Θεῷ δουλεύειν καὶ μαμωνᾷ.

RBT Greek Interlinear:

Strongs 3762; Oudeis; Οὐδεὶς; No one; Adj-NMS

Strongs 1410; dynatai; δύναται; has power; V-PIM/P-3S

Strongs 1417; dysi; δυσὶ; two; Adj-DMP

Strongs 2962; kyriois; κυρίοις; Master; N-DMP

Strongs 1398; douleuein; δουλεύειν; to serve; V-PNA

Strongs 2228; ē; ἢ; or; Conj

Strongs 1063; gar; γὰρ; for; Conj

Strongs 3588; ton; τὸν; the; Art-AMS

Strongs 1520; hena; ἕνα; one; Adj-AMS

Strongs 3404; misēsei; μισήσει; he will hate; V-FIA-3S

Strongs 2532; kai; καὶ; and; Conj

Strongs 3588; ton; τὸν; the; Art-AMS

Strongs 2087; heteron; ἕτερον; [for] another; Adj-AMS

Strongs 25; agapēsei; ἀγαπήσει; will love; V-FIA-3S

Strongs 2228; ē; ἢ; or; Conj

Strongs 1520; henos; ἑνὸς; one; Adj-GMS

Strongs 472; anthexetai; ἀνθέξεται; he will be devoted to; V-FIM-3S

Strongs 2532; kai; καὶ; and; Conj

Strongs 3588; tou; τοῦ; the; Art-GMS

Strongs 2087; heterou; ἑτέρου; other; Adj-GMS

Strongs 2706; kataphronēsei; καταφρονήσει; he will despise; V-FIA-3S

Strongs 3756; ou; οὐ; no; Adv

Strongs 1410; dynasthe; δύνασθε; have power; V-PIM/P-2P

Strongs 2316; Theō; Θεῷ; God; N-DMS

Strongs 1398; douleuein; δουλεύειν; to serve; V-PNA

Strongs 2532; kai; καὶ; and; Conj

Strongs 3126; mamōna; μαμωνᾷ; money; N-DMS

RBT Hebrew Literal:

Lord of Buried Treasure

No one is able to be enslaved to two masters, for either he will hate the One and will agape-love the other one, or he will hold anti of one,¹⁸ and he will think down of the other one. Yourselves are not are able to be enslaved to God and Buried Treasure.¹⁹

Julia Smith Literal 1876 Translation:
None can serve two lords: for either he will hate one and love the other; or hold firmly to one and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

LITV Translation:
No one is able to serve two lords; for either he will hate the one, and he will love the other; or he will cleave to the one, and he will despise the other. You are not able to serve God and wealth.

ESV Translation:
“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.

Footnotes

18

The Greek verb "ἀντέχομαι" (antechomai) is a compound of "ἀντί" (anti), meaning "against" or "opposite," and "ἔχω" (echo), meaning "to hold" or "to have." The word "ἀντέχομαι" literally means "to hold against" or "to hold oneself against." In usage, it often means "to cling to," "to hold firmly to," "to withstand," or "to support."

Here are the parts broken down:

• ἀντί (anti) - "against"
• ἔχω (echo) - "to hold"

So, "ἀντέχομαι" can be understood as "to hold against," which metaphorically extends to mean standing firm or clinging to something resolutely.

19

Lord Mammon

The Greek term μαμωνᾶς (mamōnas), found in the New Testament, is often translated as "wealth" or "riches" and is personified as a master that competes with God for loyalty.  The etymology of "μαμωνᾶς" provides deeper insight into its meaning. It is derived from the Chaldean term מאמונא (mamona), which is associated with trust and reliance, being derived from the Hebrew אמן aman meaning to trust, believe, support and according to Gesenius is contracted from the Hebrew word מטמון (matmon Strongs #4301), meaning "hidden treasure" or "buried treasure." This connection suggests that "μαμωνᾶς" conveys not just wealth, but a "trusted wealth" that is hidden or buried—treasure that people seek out, trust in, and place great value upon. The concept of "buried riches" underscores the allure and deceptive security that such wealth provides, drawing people away from themselves. Thus, μαμωνᾶς embodies the idea of earthly riches that captivate and mislead, much like hidden treasure that entices people to trust in material wealth.

Septuagint Translations: In Isaiah 33:6, the Hebrew term אמונה (amunah) is translated as θησαυροί (treasures), and in Psalm 36:3, as πλοῦτος (riches).

Mammon is also personifed as a god, and thus represents the seductive power of treasure, or false promises of riches, highlighting the danger of allowing such treasure to become an enslaving idol that commands devotion and trust.

It sheds light on other passages of certain people or things being buried:

The Queen of the Heavenly ones, she is the same as a treasure-storehouse who is hidden within the Field, whom a man who has found, hid, and leads under away from the Joy of Himself, and sells the whole of what he holds, and buys the Field of that one." (Matthew 13:44 RBT)