# \*mak(i)s-: 'customs dues, customs official'

> Proto-Semitic *mak(i)s-, 'customs dues, customs official': reflexes in 7 language(s).

A page of the Linear A Lexicon's research wiki, in [Wiki](<https://linear-a.ai/wiki/index.md>) › [Kaphtor Semitic Roots](<https://linear-a.ai/wiki/semitic-roots/index.md>) › [M](<https://linear-a.ai/wiki/semitic-roots/m/index.md>). Updated 2026-10-22.

## Root

| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Reconstruction | \*mak(i)s- |
| Meaning | 'customs dues, customs official' |
| Basis | project |

## Reflexes

| Language | Form | Sources | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Punic | hmks (Krahmalkov 281) | Krahmalkov 281 | gloss withheld |
| Arabic | maks- 'customs duty, toll' (BK 2 1138); maks 'tax, impost' (Lane 2729); makkās, mākis 'one who takes, or receives, what is termed maks' (Lane 2729) | BK 2 1138; Lane 2729 |  |
| Akkadian | mākisu (CAD M/1 129); miksu (CAD M/2 63) | CAD M/1 129; CAD M/2 63 | gloss withheld |
| Phoenician | mkst (T 177) | T 177 | gloss withheld |
| Hebrew | mekes (Num 31:28, 37–41; HALOT 581) | HALOT 581 | gloss withheld |
| Aramaic | māksā 'customs, tax' (Jastrow 784) | Jastrow 784 |  |
| Syrian Aramaic | mākes 'publican, tax-gatherer', maksā 'tribute, toll, tax' (Payne Smith 272) | Payne Smith 272 |  |

A form keeps its source's gloss only when the source is public domain or openly licensed.

## Notes

The Punic attestation links customs collection to weighing (šql), connecting fiscal and metrological vocabulary. Kaufman 1974, 72: Akkadian miksu 'tax' &gt; Aramaic mks(ʾ) &gt; Arabic maks; the Arabic verb and noun forms appear secondary.

## Linked from

- [M](<https://linear-a.ai/wiki/semitic-roots/m/index.md>)

---

Page: https://linear-a.ai/wiki/semitic-roots/m/S20_customs_dues_customs_official/
Licence: CC BY 4.0, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Cite as: di Mino, Tom. 2026. Linear A Lexicon. Plasma AI. https://linear-a.ai/. Data: kaphtor, commit add28e94.