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אָמֵן

𐤀𐤌𐤍

ʼâmên

H543 adverb

SILEX Entry

Definition

An interjection or adverb expressing certainty, reliability, agreement, or confirmation. As an interjection, it is used to affirm the truth of a statement or prayer, often translated as 'truly,' 'certainly,' or 'so be it.' As an adjective or substantive, it indicates firmness, faithfulness, or trustworthiness.

Semantic Range

faithfulness, reliability, trustworthiness; affirmation (truly, certainly, so be it, amen); confirmation or acceptance of an utterance, especially in liturgical or judicial contexts; as a substantive, connotes trustworthiness or steadfastness

Root / Etymology

From the root אָמַן (ʼmn), meaning 'to be firm, reliable, trustworthy.' אָמֵן is a derived form (often functionally adverbial or interjective) denoting affirmation, agreement, or steadfastness. The direct link between root and the formulaic use of אָמֵן indicates a development from the broader idea of reliability or steadfastness to a liturgical, responsive affirmation.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In biblical usage, אָמֵן appears as both an affirmation at the close of prayers or blessings (e.g., Numbers 5:22; Deuteronomy 27:15-26) and as a communal or liturgical response affirming the truth or acceptance of an utterance. In narrative and prophetic texts, it can emphasize the reliability of a statement (e.g., Jeremiah 28:6). Its formulaic use became prominent in later periods, especially in post-exilic and liturgical contexts, and continued into the Second Temple era and beyond—eventually entering the Greek and other languages (as ἀμήν, amen). English translations frequently render it 'Amen,' 'truly,' or 'so be it,' but the range includes ideas of faithfulness and reliability, not merely assent. The usage of אָמֵן is wider than the later exclusively liturgical use; in biblical contexts, it expresses deep affirmation and trustworthiness, often with communal or judicial implications.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from אָמַן; sure; abstract, faithfulness; adverb, truly; Amen, so be it, truth.

Bantu Hebrew

No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been recorded for this word yet.

Root Family

אָמַן (Amon) — to be firm, to be trustworthy, to be faithful

Root אָמַן to be firm, trustworthy, reliable
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H526 אָמוֹן Ammon

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
H543-01 אָמֵ֔ן amen HD Amen Surely Amen 27
H543-02 וְ/אָמֵֽן veamen HC/D and Amen and truly and surely 3

Occurrences in Scripture

30 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
H543-01 Numbers 5:22 אָמֵ֥ן amen HD Amen Surely Amen
H543-01 Numbers 5:22 אָמֵֽן amen-2 HD Amen Surely Amen
H543-01 Deuteronomy 27:15 אָמֵֽן amen HD Amen Surely Amen
H543-01 Deuteronomy 27:16 אָמֵֽן amen HD Amen Surely Surely
H543-01 Deuteronomy 27:17 אָמֵֽן amen HD Amen Surely amen
H543-01 Deuteronomy 27:18 אָמֵֽן amen HD Amen Surely Amen
H543-01 Deuteronomy 27:19 אָמֵֽן amen HD Amen Surely Surely
H543-01 Deuteronomy 27:20 אָמֵֽן amen HD Amen Surely Amen
H543-01 Deuteronomy 27:21 אָמֵֽן amen HD Amen Surely Surely
H543-01 Deuteronomy 27:22 אָמֵֽן amen HD Amen Surely amen
H543-01 Deuteronomy 27:23 אָמֵֽן amen HD Amen Surely Amen
H543-01 Deuteronomy 27:24 אָמֵֽן amen HD Amen Surely Amen
H543-01 Deuteronomy 27:25 אָמֵֽן amen HD Amen Surely Surely
H543-01 Deuteronomy 27:26 אָמֵֽן amen HD Amen Surely Amen
H543-01 1 Kings 1:36 אָמֵ֑ן amen HD Amen Surely Surely
H543-01 Isaiah 65:16 אָמֵ֔ן amen HD of truth Surely truth
H543-01 Isaiah 65:16 אָמֵ֑ן amen-2 HD of truth Surely truth
H543-01 Jeremiah 11:5 אָמֵ֥ן amen HD Amen Surely Amen
H543-01 Jeremiah 28:6 אָמֵ֕ן amen HD Amen Surely Surely
H543-01 Psalms 41:14 אָ֘מֵ֥ן amen HD Amen! Surely Amen
H543-02 Psalms 41:14 וְ/אָמֵֽן veamen HC/D and Amen and truly and Amen
H543-01 Psalms 72:19 אָ֘מֵ֥ן amen HD Amen Surely Surely
H543-02 Psalms 72:19 וְ/אָמֵֽן veamen HC/D and Amen and truly and surely
H543-01 Psalms 89:53 אָ֘מֵ֥ן amen HD Amen Surely Surely
H543-02 Psalms 89:53 וְ/אָמֵֽן veamen HC/D and Amen and truly and surely
H543-01 Psalms 106:48 אָמֵ֗ן amen HD Amen Surely Surely
H543-01 Nehemiah 5:13 אָמֵ֗ן amen HD Amen Surely Amen
H543-01 Nehemiah 8:6 אָמֵ֤ן amen HD Amen Surely Amen
H543-01 Nehemiah 8:6 אָמֵן֙ amen-2 HD Amen Surely Amen
H543-01 1 Chronicles 16:36 אָמֵ֔ן amen HD Amen Surely Amen
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