The Meaning Of Amen
One of the most used words in the world is also a word that translates as itself in many languages. It’s composed of just three Hebrew letters and although it is short, it famously carries a profound meaning as one of the Bible’s most powerful statements of faith.
The History
The word amen comes from the Hebrew root אמן (a-m-n) a word also related to word meaning “faith”. It is a word classified as an adjective describing states and moods. It’s more than a simple “yes” or “no”. It is a conscious commitment to an agreement, a judgement and faith statement.
The dictionary lists the word amen from three sources:
The Hebrew ‘āmēn – meaning ‘truth, certainty’, used adverbially as an expression of agreement.
The Greek amēn and
The ecclesiastical Latin amēn – adopted in the Septuagint as a solemn expression of belief or affirmation.
The Meaning
As the Scriptures identify faith as more than what you can see, more than feelings and more than religiosity, the word amen means that the person saying it, is firmly committed to an identity. As such, the word amen is never used in Scriptures to affirm a blessing directed at oneself.
“Amen” appears in Scriptures 23 times as an expression of praise for the Lord (Rom.1:25; 9:5; 11:36; 16:27; 1 Cor. 14:16; 2 Cor. 1:20; Gal. 1:5; Eph. 3:21; Phil.4:20; 1 Tim. 1:17; 6:16; 2 Tim. 4:18; Heb. 13:21;1 Pet. 4:11; 5:11; 2 Pet. 3:18; Jude 1:25; Rev. 1:6; 5:14; 7:12; 19:4). A confirmation of a blessing (Rom. 15:33; Gal. 6:18) and many manuscripts also add an “amen” to the text (Rom. 16:24; I Cor. 16:24; 2 Cor. 13:14; Phil.4:23; Col. 4:18; 1 Thess. 5:28; 2 Thess.3:18; 2 Tim. 4:22; Tit. 3:15; Philemon 1:25; Heb. 13:25; 1 Pet. 5:14; Rev. 22:21)
Going Deeper
As one of the most powerful and extraordinary words in the Bible, Amen is the supreme expression of assent. When we say amen, we are not simply agreeing but also proclaiming. It is a remarkable way to simultaneously say “Praise the Lord” and “I agree” with one single word.
The word amen appears in the Hebrew Scriptures 30 times and the New Testament 129 times (according to the statistics of the 4th edition of Nestle/Aland) and has its meaning encapsulated within the original Scriptures. For example, the prophet Jeremiah used the word amen as he agreed with the words of Hananiah.
“Amen! May the Lord do so! May the Lord fulfill the words you have prophesied by bringing the articles of the Lord’s house and all the exiles back to this place from Babylon.”
Jeremiah 28:6
The word amen was unfortunately disguised in most Bible translations as in many cases it would sound strange to read “Amen, amen, I say unto you…” However, that is exactly what was said by Yeshua in John 5:24
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.”
John 5:24 (KJV)“Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.”
John 5:24 (NIV)“Yes, indeed! I tell you that whoever hears what I am saying and trusts the One who sent me has eternal life — that is, he will not come up for judgment but has already crossed over from death to life!”
John 5:24 (CJB)
Conclusion
The Hebrew language allows for the expression of complex ideas through its structure and form. Ideas such as self-awareness to one’s faith. As such, the word amen was not translated into most languages and was kept in its original Hebrew form.
As you study the Holy Scriptures, keep in mind that words and names carry specific meaning in Hebrew, meanings must not be detached from their original Hebrew sentiment and purpose.
Happy learning.
Shalom!
Rabbi Douglas