אָמָן
𐤀𐤌𐤍
ʼâmân
H542 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A person who is skilled, experienced, or considered reliable in a trade, craft, or area of responsibility; used for an artisan, craftsman, master of a specialized task, or one regarded as trustworthy or faithful in a role. The term can also denote one with proven, dependable expertise or standing.
Semantic Range
expert artisan, skillful workman, master craftsman, trustworthy person, one reliable for a role, one confirmed in skill or character, faithful overseer or guardian
Root / Etymology
From the root אמן, which at the root level broadly means 'to support, to make firm,' associated with concepts of reliability, faithfulness, and trustworthiness. The derived noun אָמָן develops the sense of one who is established in ability or character — hence, a skilled craftsman or a firmly trustworthy person.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In biblical usage, אָמָן refers to someone recognized for their expertise and reliability, most often described in technical or professional contexts such as artistry, craftsmanship, or stewardship (e.g., 2 Chronicles 34:12, describing skilled workers in the Temple restoration). The semantic connection between trustworthiness and skill reflects ancient Israelite values wherein mastery was intertwined with reliability. English translations often render the term as 'expert,' 'master craftsman,' or 'faithful overseer,' but the word encompasses both technical proficiency and the idea of dependability. The term is distinct from חָרָשׁ (artisan, engraver) by emphasizing not just vocational skill but also the trust placed in the individual. Aramaic cognates (e.g., Daniel 2:45) maintain a similar sense. Over time, the core idea of fidelity or trust supported expansion into related nouns (e.g., אֱמוּנָה, 'faithfulness'). In later post-biblical Hebrew, derivatives came to signify a tutor or guardian, further emphasizing the reliability aspect. English 'cunning' in older translations only partially captures the term; modern 'expert' or 'master craftsman' is closer to the breadth of meaning.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from אָמַן (in the sense of training); an expert; cunning workman.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
אמן (ʾ-m-n) — firmness, stability, reliability, trustworthiness
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H1968 | הֵימָן | Heman |
| H4191 | מוּת | your reliability |
| H529 | אֵמוּן | steadfast trustworthiness |
| H530 | אֱמוּנָה | in steadfastness |
| H539 | אָמַן | I will regard as firm |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H542-01 |
אָמָּֽן | aman | HNcmsa |
of a master craftsman | proven master craftsman | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H542-01 |
Song of Songs 7:2 | אָמָּֽן | aman | HNcmsa |
of a master craftsman | proven master craftsman |