Lexical Summary
amén: Amen, truly, verily
Original Word: ἀμήν
Part of Speech: Hebrew Form (Indeclinable)
Transliteration: amén
Pronunciation: ah-MANE
Phonetic Spelling: (am-ane')
KJV: amen, verily
NASB: truly, Amen
Word Origin: [of Hebrew origin (H543 (אָמֵן - Amen))]
1. (properly) firm
2. (figuratively) trustworthy
3. (adverbially) surely
4. (often as interjection) so be it
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
amen, verily.
Of Hebrew origin ('amen); properly, firm, i.e. (figuratively) trustworthy; adverbially, surely (often as interjection, so be it) -- amen, verily.
see HEBREW 'amen
HELPS Word-studies
281 amḗn (the counterpart of the Hebrew OT term, 543 /apeítheia, "steadfast") – properly, sure (certain). 281 (amḗn) is usually translated "amen," and sometimes "verily," "of a truth," "most assuredly," "so let it be."
281 /amḗn ("amen"), as an "emphasis marker," introduces a statement of pivotal importance – i.e. that is essential in interpreting the over-all passage.
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originadverb of Hebrew origin
amenDefinitiontruly
NASB TranslationAmen (30), truly (99).
Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 281: ἀμήνἀμήν, Hebrew
אָמֵן;
1. verbal adjective (from אָמַן to prop; Niph. to be firm), firm, metaphorically, faithful: ὁ ἀμήν, Rev. iii. 14 (where is added ὁ μάρτυς ὁ πιστός καί ἀληθινός).
2. it came to be used as an adverb by which something is asserted or confirmed:
a. at the beginning of a discourse, surely, of a truth, truly; so frequent in the discourses of Christ in Matthew, Mark, and Luke: ἀμήν λέγω ὑμῖν 'I solemnly declare unto you,' e. g. Matthew 5:18; Mark 3:28; Luke 4:24. The repetition of the word (ἀμήν ἀμήν), employed by John alone in his Gospel (twenty-five times), has the force of a superlative, most assuredly: John 1:51 (
b. at the close of a sentence; so it is, so be it, may it be fulfilled (γένοιτο, the Sept. Numbers 5:22; Deuteronomy 27:15, etc.): Romans 1:25; Romans 9:5; Galatians 1:5; Ephesians 3:21; Philippians 4:20; 1 Timothy 1:17; Hebrews 13:21; 1 Peter 4:11; Revelation 1:6, and often; cf. Jeremiah 11:5; Jeremiah 35:6
Topical Lexicon
Definition and Scope Ἀμήν appears one hundred forty-three times in the Greek New Testament as the Spirit-inspired word of confident certainty. It functions both at the front of authoritative sayings and at the close of prayers, doxologies, and covenants, binding the speaker and the hearer to the reliability of God’s truth.
Old Testament Foundations
The Septuagint preserves the Hebrew practice of answering covenantal statements with “Amen” (Deuteronomy 27:15; Nehemiah 8:6). By carrying the word unchanged into Greek, the New Testament writers show that the God of Israel has not altered His manner of confirming truth. Ἀμήν continues to signal hearty assent, especially where obedience or worship is in view.
Jesus’ Solemn Pronouncements in the Synoptic Gospels
In Matthew, Mark, and Luke the Lord introduces many key statements with a single amen. The formula is unique to Him—no rabbinic teaching of the period begins with such self-authenticating certainty. Examples:
• Matthew 5:18: “For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not a single jot or stroke of a pen will disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.”
• Matthew 24:34: “Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have happened.”
Each use elevates the saying to the level of divine proclamation; the “Amen” comes before the sentence because the truth rests on the authority of the Speaker rather than on subsequent events.
The Double Amen in the Gospel of John
John intensifies the formula with a doubled word (ἀμήν ἀμήν) twenty-five times. The repetition deepens the solemnity:
“Truly, truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.” (John 3:3)
“Truly, truly, I tell you, before Abraham was born, I am!” (John 8:58)
By the double Amen, Jesus places a verbal seal on revelatory truths concerning new birth, eternal life, and His own pre-existence.
Christ Titled “The Amen”
Revelation 3:14: “These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Originator of God’s creation.” The title identifies Jesus Christ as the personal embodiment of all God’s promises. What God pledges finds its guaranteed fulfillment in Him.
Prophetic Certainty and Eschatological Assurance
Amen punctuates prophecies that span judgment and restoration. When Jesus predicts the fall of Jerusalem (Luke 21:32) or the rewarding of servants (Matthew 25:40), the introductory Amen assures that His words are as settled as the decrees of Heaven.
Doxologies and Epistolary Closings
The apostles conclude nearly every letter with a doxology sealed by Amen:
• Romans 11:36: “For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever! Amen.”
• Ephesians 3:21: “To Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”
The closing Amen is not a mere formality; it calls readers to agree with the praise that has just been uttered and to rest in the certainty of God’s grace (Galatians 6:18; Hebrews 13:25).
Corporate Worship and Congregational Response
Paul appeals to intelligibility in worship so “someone who is uninstructed” can say “Amen” to thanksgiving (1 Corinthians 14:16). The gathered church thus voices collective approval of spoken prayers, embodying unity in faith.
Heavenly Liturgy in Revelation
Amen resounds in the throne-room scenes:
Revelation 5:14: “And the four living creatures said, ‘Amen,’ and the elders fell down and worshiped.”
Revelation 7:12: “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and strength be to our God forever and ever! Amen.”
The heavenly chorus confirms that redeemed humanity’s worship on earth echoes the worship already established in glory.
Theological Implications: Reliability of Divine Promise
2 Corinthians 1:20 establishes the doctrinal center: “For all God’s promises are ‘Yes’ in Christ. And so through Him our ‘Amen’ is spoken to the glory of God.” The divine “Yes” in the Son elicits the human “Amen,” aligning the believer’s confession with God’s immutable purpose.
Pastoral and Practical Application
• Prayer: Ending petitions with Amen submits the request to God’s wisdom while confessing trust in His answer.
• Preaching: The pulpit echoes Christ’s precedent when assurances of salvation, warnings, or eschatological hopes are declared with unwavering certainty.
• Fellowship: Congregational Amens cultivate shared faith, reminding worshipers that they stand together under the authority of Scripture.
Summary
Ἀμήν in the New Testament is more than a liturgical sign-off; it is the Spirit-chosen word that binds every promise of God to its fulfillment in Christ and invites every believer to stake his life on that unbreakable certainty.
Forms and Transliterations
αμην αμήν ἀμην ἀμήν ἀμὴν αμητόν αμητός αμητού αμητώ αμήτω amen amēn amḗn amḕn
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