Amen
אָמֵן (Amen)
A Hebrew word meaning 'truly,' 'so be it,' or 'it is certain'
Amen is derived from the Hebrew root meaning 'firm' or 'faithful.' It is used throughout the Bible to affirm truth, conclude prayers, and express wholehearted agreement with God's word.
"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 27:15 (KJV)
Key Verses
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.”Read in context
Revelation 3:14
“And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God.”Read in context
2 Corinthians 1:20
“For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.”Read in context
Strong's Concordance
Strong's H543 — Amen (אָמֵן (Amen))
Browse the full lexicon entry and every KJV verse where אָמֵן (Amen) appears.
Open Strong's H543The Root Meaning
Amen comes from the Hebrew root 'aman,' which means 'to be firm, stable, trustworthy.' When someone says 'Amen,' they are declaring, 'This is firm. This is reliable. I stand on this truth.' It is far more than a ritual ending to a prayer — it is a personal affirmation that what has been said is true and worthy of trust.
Amen in the Old Testament
In the Old Testament, Amen served as a communal response of agreement. In Deuteronomy 27, the people responded 'Amen' to each covenant curse, binding themselves to God's law. In Nehemiah 8:6, when Ezra blessed the LORD, all the people answered 'Amen, Amen,' lifting up their hands in worship. It was a word that engaged the whole community in affirming God's truth together.
Jesus' Use of Amen
Jesus transformed the use of Amen by placing it at the beginning of His statements rather than the end: 'Verily, verily, I say unto you' — where 'Verily' is the Greek 'Amen.' This was unprecedented. While others used Amen to affirm what had been said, Jesus used it to authenticate what He was about to say, claiming inherent authority to speak divine truth. The double 'Amen, Amen' in John's Gospel emphasizes this even further.
Christ as 'The Amen'
In Revelation 3:14, Jesus is called 'the Amen, the faithful and true witness.' He is not merely someone who speaks truth — He is Truth personified. Every promise of God finds its 'Yes' and 'Amen' in Christ (2 Corinthians 1:20). When we say Amen, we are ultimately affirming the faithfulness of God as revealed in Jesus Christ.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Amen literally mean?
Amen literally means 'firm,' 'faithful,' or 'so be it.' It comes from the Hebrew root 'aman,' meaning 'to be reliable or trustworthy.' When used in prayer or worship, it affirms that what has been said is true and trustworthy.
Why do we say Amen at the end of prayers?
Saying Amen at the end of a prayer is a way of affirming everything that was prayed. It means 'I agree with this,' 'let it be so,' or 'I trust God with this.' It is an ancient practice found throughout both the Old and New Testaments.
Why is Jesus called 'the Amen' in Revelation?
In Revelation 3:14, Jesus is called 'the Amen' because He is the ultimate affirmation of God's truth and faithfulness. He embodies everything that is firm, reliable, and true. All of God's promises are confirmed and fulfilled in Him.
What is the Hebrew word for "Amen" in the Bible?
אָמֵן (Amen), pronounced "ah-MEN." It means a hebrew word meaning 'truly,' 'so be it,' or 'it is certain'. Its Strong's number is H543. It is the word behind "Amen" in both Testaments, for example in Deuteronomy 27:15.
Related Words
Related Reading
Continue your study with related content from across our library:
Amen (אָמֵן (Amen))
A Hebrew word meaning 'truly,' 'so be it,' or 'it is certain'
Strong's H543 — Amen
אָמֵן (Amen) • A Hebrew word meaning 'truly,' 'so be it,' or 'it is certain'
Biblical Meaning of Blood in a Dream (KJV)
Life, atonement, and covenant with God.
Biblical Meaning of Fire in a Dream (KJV)
God's presence, purification, and judgment.
Prophet (Nabi) (נָבִיא (nabi))
A spokesperson for God — called to declare His word to the people.
Strong's H5030 — Prophet (Nabi)
נָבִיא (nabi) • A spokesperson for God — called to declare His word to the people.
Where to go next
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