amen Summary and Overview

This Hebrew word means firm, and hence also faithful (Rev. 3:14). In Isa. 65:16, the Authorized Version has "the God of truth," which in Hebrew is "the God of Amen." It is frequently used by our Saviour to give emphasis to his words, where it is translated "verily." Sometimes, only, however, in John's Gospel, it is repeated, "Verily, verily." It is used as an epithet of the Lord Jesus Christ (Rev. 3:14). It is found singly and sometimes doubly at the end of prayers (Ps. 41:13; 72:19; 89:52), to confirm the words and invoke the fulfilment of them. It is used in token of being bound by an oath (Num. 5:22; Deut. 27:15-26; Neh. 5:13; 8:6; 1 Chr. 16:36). In the primitive churches it was common for the general audience to say "Amen" at the close of the prayer (1 Cor. 14:16). The promises of God are Amen; i.e., they are all true and sure (2 Cor. 1:20).

literally "true" and used as a substantive, "that which is true," "truth," #Isa 65:16| a word used in strong asseverations, fixing, as it were, the stamp of truth upon the assertion which it accompanied, and making it binding as an oath. Comp. #Nu 5:22| In the synagogues and private houses it was customary for the people or members of the family who were present to say "amen" to the prayers which were offered. #Mt 6:13; 1Co 14:16| And not only public prayers, but those offered in private, and doxologies, were appropriately concluded with "amen." #Ro 9:5; 11:36; 15:33; 16:27; 2Co 13:14| etc.

AMEN' (literally, true, firm: metaphorically, faithful), used to denote assent or entire acquiescence, impressing the stamp of absolute truthfulness upon the statement. Deut 27:15. It was used as the solemn affirmative response to an oath. The word was often repeated. It is a matter of tradition that in the temple the "Amen" was not uttered by the people, but that instead, at the conclusion of the priest's prayers, they responded, "Blessed be the name of the glory of His kingdom for ever and ever." Of this a trace is supposed to remain in the concluding sentence of the Lord's Prayer. Comp. Rom 11:36. But in the synagogue and private houses it was customary for the people or members of the family who were present to say "Amen" to the prayers which were offered by the minister or master of the house, and the custom remained in the early Christian Church. Matt 6:13; 1 Cor 14:16. Doxologies and private prayers were appropriately closed with "Amen." It is sometimes translated verily, and was frequently used by our Saviour when he was about to utter some distinct, important, and solemn truth. Its repetition, "Verily, verily, I say unto you" (in John) strengthens the assertion. The promises of God are amen, because they are made sure and certain in Christ. 2 Cor 1:20. Amen is one of the titles of our blessed Saviour, Rev 3:14, as he is the faithful and true witness.

("firm", "faithful", else "verily".) Jesus is "the Amen, the, faithful and true witness" (Revelation 3:14). Compare 2 Corinthians 1:20; John 1:14; John 1:17; John 14:6. "The God of Amen" (Hebrew for "truth") (Isaiah 65:16). Jesus alone introduces His authoritative declarations with Amen in the beginning; in Matthew, Mark, and Luke, singly, in John (John 3:3; John 3:5; John 3:11; John 10:1) always doubled. It is most marked how the apostles and others avoid the use of it in the beginning, which is His divine prerogative. Jeremiah 28:6 is not an exception; it is praying for the divine ratification of what preceded. In oaths those who pronounce the "Amen" bind themselves by the oath (Numbers 5:22; Deuteronomy 27:15-26). God alone can seal all His declarations of promise or threat with the "Amen," verily, in its fullest sense; our assertions mostly need some qualification. As John records Christ's discourses on the deeper things of God, which man is slow to believe, the double Amen is appropriately found at the beginning of such discourses 25 times. Amen was the proper response to a prayer, an oath, or a solemn promise (1 Kings 1:30; Nehemiah 5:13; Nehemiah 8:6; 1 Chronicles 16:36; Jeremiah 11:5); the God of Amen witnesses our covenants. Jewish tradition states that the people responded to the priest's prayer not "Amen," but, "Blessed be the name of the glory of His kingdom for ever." But in synagogues, as in the Christian assemblies, and in family and private prayers, Amen was the response (Matthew 6:13; 1 Corinthians 14:16).