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Amen.
It’s a word that many of us have heard since our early childhood. We’ve prayed using it and seen the word adopted in popular culture.
Amen also features regularly in the Bible. But what does it really mean, and have any of us stopped to think about its origins?
While it may seem like just a word, amen has a long and intriguing history spanning back thousands of years. And our responsibilities for using it are big.
Today we’re going to talk about the true meaning of amen and the different contexts in which it’s used.
Amen is the world's most widely used prayer word.
It’s believed that the word amen originated in the 4th century BC. The word was a feature of Hebrew literature well before being adopted by Christianity. However, the Hebrew and Greek words for amen appear hundreds of times in the Bible and have several meanings.
Its meaning is quite different in Hebrew than in Christianity. The word dates back pretty much as far as written history, appearing in the earliest Jewish texts.
Incredibly, amen is one of the few examples where the same word has endured for thousands of years and became implemented into hundreds of languages. The word even stayed essentially the same across different groups and cultures.
Amen derived from the Hebrew word āmēn, which means “certainty,” “truth,” and “verily.” It is found throughout the Hebrew Bible and in both the Old and New Testaments. In English, the word has two primary pronunciations: “ah-men” or “ey-men.”
There are also many different Hebrew words that derive from the same root as “Amen” such as:
However you pronounce it, the word has nothing to do with the words “man” or “men” or their originations. Today, the definition of amen means, "uttered at the end of a prayer or hymn, meaning ‘so be it.’"
Today, the use of amen means something to the effect of “so be it" or "let it be so,” declaring something to be truthful or as a means of confirmation. It was also frequently used to indicate that one strongly agreed with something (“amen to that” or “can I get an amen?”).
During sermons or a reading from the gospel, amen is used at the end of a prayer. You can also use it in everyday life to affirm that someone has made a valid point, even if the point isn’t always Christian in nature.
People everywhere from different backgrounds and religions can understand the universality of the word amen. Moreover, it’s important to understand why we say the word amen.
Even though it may sound like you’re simply agreeing or saying “so be it,” the amen has much more meaning than that. By using the word amen, we not only make a covenant audibly, but also promise to uphold the teachings that are given to us.
The realization that our duty lies in responding with an amen after listening to a sermon, or even prayer will help us to accomplish a few important things.
Through a concentrated effort of listening closely to what is said, we'll become better able to process the information deeply, and our collective consent will promote a sense of unity among the members of our congregation.
By understanding how amen is used in the bible, it’s easier to use the word in its proper form when praying.
Originally, amen appeared in the Bible when it referred to another speaker's words with which there was agreement. It was repeated in a solemn oath to emphasize a point someone was making.
Such amens expressed the certainty and truthfulness of the statement that followed. Amen is used in various parts of the Bible, mainly to end a prayer. Jesus used it many times to accentuate his points and teachings as well.
The word amen first appears in the Bible in 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.”
Some other passages include:
“Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, From everlasting to everlasting. Amen and Amen” (Psalm 41:13).
“Blessed be the Lord God of Israel. From everlasting to everlasting! And all the people said, ‘Amen!’ and praised the Lord” (1 Chronicles 13:36).
“And all the assembly said, ‘Amen!’ and praised the Lord. Then the people did according to this promise” (Nehemiah 5:13).
While there is limited use of the word in the Old Testament, the word is still used hundreds of times throughout the Bible.
The word is used as an expression of consent after prayer by followers of Christianity, Islam, and Judaism today. Records indicate that it has been used for centuries.
The term amen appears as part of several prayer chants in Judaism to express agreement with a rabbi or spiritual leader's words.
Islamic prayer incorporates the word in a more formal way, just like Judaism does, while also deeming it a fitting way to end any prayer. Although instead of “amen,” Muslims generally say “āmīn.”
Interestingly, the Egyptians depicted a deity called Amen or Amon, represented by a ram. It was a god of life and reproduction. However, it’s merely a coincidence that the word amen resembles this god’s name. However, the Hebrew declaration of affirmation has no relation to ancient Egyptian gods.
Its purpose, regardless of religion, is the same: an affirmation of prayer.
It’s fascinating how one word can be so powerful and yet so overlooked.
Most of the time, we say "Amen" without ever thinking about it. Yet, when we look back on its long history, we can see the ancient heritage of the word. So, before you say amen the next time you pray, take a moment to reflect on it.
For more origins and Bible stories, download the pray.com app in the iOS App Store or Google Play.
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