Amen
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; Ps 72:19; Ps 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; Neh 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).
Named in the Bible
The first 20 of 72 verses
- Numbers 5:22 And this water that causeth the curse shall go into thy bowels, to make thy belly to swell, and thy thigh to rot: And the woman shall say, Amen, amen.
- Deuteronomy 27:15 Cursed be the man that maketh any graven or molten image, an abomination unto the LORD, the work of the hands of the craftsman, and putteth it in a secret place. And all the people shall answer and say, Amen.
- Deuteronomy 27:16 Cursed be he that setteth light by his father or his mother. And all the people shall say, Amen.
- Deuteronomy 27:17 Cursed be he that removeth his neighbour's landmark. And all the people shall say, Amen.
- Deuteronomy 27:18 Cursed be he that maketh the blind to wander out of the way. And all the people shall say, Amen.
- Deuteronomy 27:19 Cursed be he that perverteth the judgment of the stranger, fatherless, and widow. And all the people shall say, Amen.
- Deuteronomy 27:20 Cursed be he that lieth with his father's wife; because he uncovereth his father's skirt. And all the people shall say, Amen.
- Deuteronomy 27:21 Cursed be he that lieth with any manner of beast. And all the people shall say, Amen.
- Deuteronomy 27:22 Cursed be he that lieth with his sister, the daughter of his father, or the daughter of his mother. And all the people shall say, Amen.
- Deuteronomy 27:23 Cursed be he that lieth with his mother in law. And all the people shall say, Amen.
- Deuteronomy 27:24 Cursed be he that smiteth his neighbour secretly. And all the people shall say, Amen.
- Deuteronomy 27:25 Cursed be he that taketh reward to slay an innocent person. And all the people shall say, Amen.
- Deuteronomy 27:26 Cursed be he that confirmeth not all the words of this law to do them. And all the people shall say, Amen.
- 1 Kings 1:36 And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada answered the king, and said, Amen: the LORD God of my lord the king say so too.
- 1 Chronicles 16:36 Blessed be the LORD God of Israel for ever and ever. And all the people said, Amen, and praised the LORD.
- Nehemiah 5:13 Also I shook my lap, and said, So God shake out every man from his house, and from his labour, that performeth not this promise, even thus be he shaken out, and emptied. And all the congregation said, Amen, and praised the LORD. And the people did according to this promise.
- Nehemiah 8:6 And Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God. And all the people answered, Amen, Amen, with lifting up their hands: and they bowed their heads, and worshipped the LORD with their faces to the ground.
- Psalms 41:13 Blessed be the LORD God of Israel from everlasting, and to everlasting. Amen, and Amen.
- Psalms 72:19 And blessed be his glorious name for ever: and let the whole earth be filled with his glory; Amen, and Amen.
- Psalms 89:52 Blessed be the LORD for evermore. Amen, and Amen.
From Easton’s Bible Dictionary (1897), by Matthew George Easton.
