Why did the Semites name Nanna as sin? The patron god of the city of Ur was Nanna who is the heavenly moon.?

Answer 1

yeah.....we call our Grandma...Nanna

Answer 2

Nanna was named by Sumerian speaking people who inhabited Ur at the time. Sumerian is not a Semitic language.

As I am sure you are aware, the same sound can have different meanings in different languages, especially if they are not related. In my language, for example, the word Nanna means "candy", and as another answerer said, in English it can be used to refer to your Grandma.

The word slim means "thin" in English, "intelligent" in my language, and "unfavourable/uncool" in German.

The Semitic name for Nanna was indeed pronounced "Sin". It does not mean "sin" (as in the English word) in the semitic languages, because, again, the same sounds mean different things in different languages.

Answer 3

Documents as late as the 18th century BCE show the use of the name "Sin" for the moon Goddess of Ur. All documents from the Moabite digs use the "Sin" version. Archaeologist Mark Smith has written many good books discussing evidence of this and the nomadic Moon diety "Yah". Try "The early history of God", and "The Development of Biblical Monotheism".

Answer 4

I'm not sure where you are coming from. When you say Semites, are you talking about the Jews? Because they condemned ALL gods other than Yahweh. If some other Semitic tribe did it, I'd have to assume it was because she was not one of their gods so they didn't worship her.

Answer 5

Sarah, what's with Nanna tonight???

Answer 6

Yes, but do you realize Sin is the father of all Gods.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sin_%28mythology%29

Answer 7

yeah