281. amén
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 Origin
adverb of Hebrew origin amen
Definition
truly
NASB Translation
Amen (30), truly (99).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 281: ἀμήν

ἀμήν, Hebrew אָמֵן;

1. verbal adjective (from אָמַן to prop; Niph. to be firm), firm, metaphorically, faithful: ἀμήν, Rev. iii. 14 (where is added μάρτυς 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 (); 1 Kings 1:30. It was a custom, which passed over from the synagogues into the Christian assemblies, that when he who had read or discoursed had offered up a solemn prayer to God, the others in attendance responded Amen, and thus made the substance of what was uttered their own: 1 Corinthians 14:16 (τό ἀμήν, the well-known response Amen), cf. Numbers 5:22; Deuteronomy 27:15ff; Nehemiah 5:13; Nehemiah 8:6. 2 Corinthians 1:20 αἱ ἐπαγγελίαι ... τό ναί, καί ... τό ἀμήν, i. e. had shown themselves most sure. (Cf. B. D. under the word .)

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
Links
Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Matthew 5:18 Heb
GRK: ἀμὴν γὰρ λέγω
NAS: For truly I say to you, until
KJV: For verily I say unto you,
INT: truly indeed I say

Matthew 5:26 Heb
GRK: ἀμὴν λέγω σοι
NAS: Truly I say to you, you will not come
KJV: Verily I say unto thee,
INT: Truly I say to you

Matthew 6:2 Heb
GRK: τῶν ἀνθρώπων ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν
NAS: by men. Truly I say
KJV: of men. Verily I say unto you,
INT: the men Truly I say to you

Matthew 6:5 Heb
GRK: τοῖς ἀνθρώποις ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν
NAS: by men. Truly I say
KJV: be seen of men. Verily I say unto you,
INT: by men Truly I say to you

Matthew 6:13 Heb
GRK: τοῦς αἰῶνας ἀμήν
KJV: for ever. Amen.
INT: the ages Amen

Matthew 6:16 Heb
GRK: ἀνθρώποις νηστεύοντες ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν
NAS: when they are fasting. Truly I say
KJV: to fast. Verily I say
INT: to men fasting Truly I say to you

Matthew 8:10 Heb
GRK: τοῖς ἀκολουθοῦσιν Ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν
NAS: who were following, Truly I say
KJV: to them that followed, Verily I say
INT: to those following Truly I say to you

Matthew 10:15 Heb
GRK: ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν
NAS: Truly I say
KJV: Verily I say unto you,
INT: Truly I say to you

Matthew 10:23 Heb
GRK: τὴν ἑτέραν ἀμὴν γὰρ λέγω
NAS: to the next; for truly I say
KJV: another: for verily I say unto you,
INT: the next truly indeed I say

Matthew 10:42 Heb
GRK: ὄνομα μαθητοῦ ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν
NAS: water to drink, truly I say
KJV: of a disciple, verily I say
INT: name of a disciple truly I say to you

Matthew 11:11 Heb
GRK: ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν
NAS: Truly I say to you, among
KJV: Verily I say unto you,
INT: Truly I say to you

Matthew 13:17 Heb
GRK: ἀμὴν γὰρ λέγω
NAS: For truly I say to you that many
KJV: For verily I say unto you,
INT: truly indeed I say

Matthew 16:28 Heb
GRK: ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν
NAS: Truly I say to you, there are some
KJV: Verily I say unto you,
INT: Truly I say to you

Matthew 17:20 Heb
GRK: ὀλιγοπιστίαν ὑμῶν ἀμὴν γὰρ λέγω
NAS: of the littleness of your faith; for truly I say
KJV: unbelief: for verily I say unto you,
INT: little faith of you truly indeed I say

Matthew 18:3 Heb
GRK: καὶ εἶπεν Ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν
NAS: and said, Truly I say to you, unless
KJV: And said, Verily I say unto you,
INT: and said Truly I say to you

Matthew 18:13 Heb
GRK: εὑρεῖν αὐτό ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν
NAS: out that he finds it, truly I say
KJV: it, verily I say
INT: that he find it truly I say to you

Matthew 18:18 Heb
GRK: Ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν
NAS: Truly I say to you, whatever
KJV: Verily I say unto you,
INT: Truly I say to you

Matthew 18:19 Heb
GRK: Πάλιν ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν
INT: Again truly I say to you

Matthew 19:23 Heb
GRK: μαθηταῖς αὐτοῦ Ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν
NAS: to His disciples, Truly I say
KJV: disciples, Verily I say
INT: disciples of him Truly I say to you

Matthew 19:28 Heb
GRK: εἶπεν αὐτοῖς Ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν
NAS: said to them, Truly I say
KJV: said unto them, Verily I say unto you,
INT: said to them Truly I say to you

Matthew 21:21 Heb
GRK: εἶπεν αὐτοῖς Ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν
NAS: and said to them, Truly I say
KJV: said unto them, Verily I say unto you,
INT: said to them Truly I say to you

Matthew 21:31 Heb
GRK: ὁ Ἰησοῦς Ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν
NAS: said to them, Truly I say
KJV: unto them, Verily I say
INT: Jesus Truly I say to you

Matthew 23:36 Heb
GRK: ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν
NAS: Truly I say to you, all
KJV: Verily I say unto you,
INT: Truly I say to you

Matthew 24:2 Heb
GRK: ταῦτα πάντα ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν
NAS: these things? Truly I say
KJV: these things? verily I say
INT: these things all Truly I say to you

Matthew 24:34 Heb
GRK: ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν
NAS: Truly I say to you, this
KJV: Verily I say unto you,
INT: Truly I say to you

Strong's Greek 281
143 Occurrences


ἀμὴν — 143 Occ.

280
Top of Page
Top of Page