Amen #27
אָמֵן(amen)HebrewinterjectionStrong's H543
Amen — the Hebrew word for truly or so be it, used to affirm the truthfulness or binding force of a statement, oath, blessing, or prayer, carried untranslated into both Greek and English.
Amen comes from a Hebrew root (’aman) meaning “to be firm, faithful, or trustworthy” — the same root behind the Hebrew word for “faith” (emunah). To say “amen” to a statement was to affirm it as firm and true, functioning as a solemn yes, truly rather than a simple acknowledgment.
Biblical Usage
Numbers 5:22 shows amen used to seal an oath with legal force, and Deuteronomy 27:15-26 has the whole assembly of Israel answering “Amen” twelve times in succession to ratify a series of covenant curses — public, binding assent to what has just been declared. The word is one of a small handful of Hebrew terms carried untranslated directly into the Greek New Testament, and from there into virtually every language Christianity has reached.
Theological Significance
Revelation gives the word its most striking theological use, naming the risen Christ himself “the Amen, the faithful and true witness” (Revelation 3:14) — the word for affirming a true statement becomes a title for the one who is truth and faithfulness in person.
Key References
- Numbers 5:22
- Deuteronomy 27:15-26
- Revelation 3:14