Lexical Summary emeth: Truth, faithfulness, reliability, firmness Original Word: אֶמֶת Strong's Exhaustive Concordance assuredly, establishment, faithful, right, sure, true, verity Contracted from 'aman; stability; (figuratively) certainty, truth, trustworthiness -- assured(-ly), establishment, faithful, right, sure, true (-ly, -th), verity. see HEBREW 'aman NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom aman Definition firmness, faithfulness, truth NASB Translation faith (1), faithful (2), faithfully (6), faithfulness (10), lasting (1), nor* (1), right (1), true (18), truly (4), truth (80), truth that you may correctly (1), truthful (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs אֱמֶת noun feminine firmness, faithfulness, truth (contracted for אֱמֶנֶת from אָמֵן) Genesis 24:48 106t.; suffix אֲמִתּוֺ, אֲמִתְּךָ Psalm 91:4 18t. 1 reliability, sureness: דֶּרֶח אֱמֶת sure way Genesis 24:48 (J); שׂכר אמת sure reward Proverbs 11:18; אות אמת sure token Joshua 2:12 (J); זֶרַע אמת Jeremiah 2:21. 2 stability, con-tinuance: שָׁלוֺם וֶאֱמֶת peace and stability Isaiah 39:8 (= 2 Kings 20:19) Esther 9:30; Jeremiah 33:6; Zechariah 8:19, compare שׁלום אמת Jeremiah 14:13. 3 faithfulness, reliableness: (α) of men אִישׁ אֱמֶת faithful man Nehemiah 7:2; אנשׁי אמת Exodus 18:21 (E); הָלַח בֶּאֱמֶת walk in faithfulness, faithfully 1 Kings 2:4; 1 Kings 3:6; 2 Kings 20:3; Isaiah 38:3 compare 1 Samuel 12:24; of ׳י, בַּאֲמִתֶּ֑ךָ Psalm 25:5; Psalm 26:3; Psalm 86:11; עיר האמת Zechariah 8:3; of men Psalm 45:5; Psalm 51:8; 2Chronicles 31:20; 32:1; Proverbs 29:14; Isaiah 10:20; Isaiah 42:3; Isaiah 48:1; ובתמים ׳בא Judges 9:16,19; Joshua 24:14; ׳חֶסֶד וֶאֱ mercy and faithfulness Proverbs 3:3; Proverbs 14:22; Proverbs 16:6; Proverbs 20:28; Hosea 4:1, & the phrase עשׂה חסד ואמת Genesis 24:49; Genesis 47:29; Joshua 2:14 (J) 2 Samuel 15:20. (b) an attribute of God Psalm 54:7; Psalm 71:22; Isaiah 38:18,19; Isaiah 61:8; נתן אמת Micah 7:20; עשׂה אמת Ezekiel 18:9; Nehemiah 9:33; עשׂה חסד ואמת Genesis 32:11 (J) 2 Samuel 2:6; רב חסד ואמת abundant in mercy and faithfulness Exodus 34:6 (J) Psalm 86:15; these attributes are also associated Psalm 40:11; Psalm 40:12; Psalm 61:8; Psalm 115:1; Psalm 138:2; Isaiah 16:5; Genesis 24:27 (J); they are messengers of God to men Psalm 57:4; Psalm 85:11; Psalm 89:15 compare Psalm 43:3; חסד ואמת ׳כל ארחות י Psalm 25:10; the faithfulness of God endureth for ever Psalm 117:2; he keepeth it for ever Psalm 146:6; it reacheth unto the skies Psalm 57:11; Psalm 108:5; it is shield & buckler Psalm 91:4; he is אל אמת Psalm 31:6 = אלהי אמת2Chronicles 15:3; אֱמֶת is also associated with the divine ישׁר Psalm 111:8; צֶדֶק Psalm 85:12; צְדָקָה Zechariah 8:8; מִשְׁמָּט Psalm 111:7; Jeremiah 4:2; & salvation Psalm 69:14. 4 truth (a) as spoken: דבר אמת speak truth 1 Kings 22:16; 2Chronicles 18:15; Jeremiah 9:4; Zechariah 8:16; Psalm 15:2; ׳דִּבְרֵי א Ecclesiastes 12:10; אֱמֶת הַדָּבָר the thing is certainly true Deuteronomy 13:15; Deuteronomy 17:4; אִמְרֵי אֱמֶת = אמרים אמת Proverbs 22:21; הגה אמת Proverbs 8:7; ׳הגיד א Daniel 11:2, אֲמִתְּךָ Psalm 30:10; שׂפת אמת Proverbs 12:19; אֱמֶת it is true Isaiah 43:9; האמת אתכם whether truth is with you Genesis 42:16 (E) compare Isaiah 59:14,15. (b) of testimony and judgment עֵד אֱמֶת true witness Proverbs 14:25; עד אמת ונאמן Jeremiah 42:5; משׁפט אמת Ezekiel 18:8; Zechariah 7:9; שָׁפַט אמת Zechariah 8:16. (c) of divine instruction כְּחָב אֱמֶת Daniel 10:21; תורת אמת Malachi 2:6 compare Nehemiah 9:13; תורתך אמת Psalm 119:142; בְּפִיךָ אמת ׳דבר י 1 Kings 17:24 compare 2 Samuel 7:28; ׳משׁפטי י אמת Psalm 19:10; ראשׁ דברך אמת Psalm 119:160; מצותיך אמת Psalm 119:151. (d) truth as a body of ethical or religious knowledge Daniel 8:12; להשׂכיל באמתך Daniel 9:13. 5. adverb in truth, truly Psalm 132:11; יהוה אלהים אמת Yahweh is God in truth, truly Jeremiah 10:10; elsewhere בֶּאֱמֶת Judges 9:15; Psalm 145:18; Jeremiah 26:15; Jeremiah 28:9; Jeremiah 32:41. Topical Lexicon Truth (אֶמֶת, Strong’s 571) Overview of Scriptural Usage The noun אֶמֶת occurs about one-hundred-twenty-seven times across the Old Testament. While the English word “truth” often suggests bare factual accuracy, אֶמֶת embraces reliability, stability, integrity, and faithfulness. It is used for the very character of God, the content of His revelation, the ethical standard for His people, and the hope that guides eschatological expectation. Truth as an Attribute of Yahweh Exodus 34:6 places “truth” at the heart of God’s self-revelation: “The LORD passed in front of Moses and proclaimed, ‘The LORD, the LORD God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion and truth.’” Truth is therefore neither abstract principle nor mere moral ideal; it is personal, rooted in God’s being. Deuteronomy 32:4 echoes, “He is the Rock, His work is perfect; all His ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without injustice, righteous and upright is He.” Divine truth guarantees the dependability of every promise (Psalm 119:160). Truth in Covenant Relationship Human relationships are expected to mirror divine truth. Abraham’s servant praised God for showing “loving devotion and truth” to his master (Genesis 24:27), binding covenant loyalty and truth together. When Jacob sought mercy, he confessed, “I am unworthy of all the loving devotion and faithfulness You have shown Your servant” (Genesis 32:10). Truth guards covenant blessing; violation of truth dissolves covenant security (Hosea 4:1). Truth in Worship and Liturgical Confession Worship demands integrity. The Psalmist asks, “LORD, who may dwell in Your tent? … He who walks with integrity and practices righteousness, who speaks truth in his heart” (Psalm 15:1-2). Psalm 26:3 affirms, “Your loving devotion is before my eyes, and I have walked in Your truth.” Truth thus shapes both vertical devotion and horizontal behavior within the worshiping community. Truth in Ethical and Judicial Life In Israel’s courts truth served as the bedrock of justice: “Keep yourself far from a false charge, and do not kill the innocent or the righteous” (Exodus 23:7). Kings were expected to rule “in truth, righteousness, and uprightness” (1 Kings 3:6; Proverbs 20:28). Prophets condemned societies where truth collapsed: “Run to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem… if you can find a man, if there is one who acts in justice, who seeks truth, then I will pardon her” (Jeremiah 5:1). Truth in Wisdom Literature Proverbs treats אֶמֶת as a principal virtue that orders life: Wisdom counsels that success without truth is hollow (Proverbs 12:19) and that truthful lips reflect a heart shaped by God (Proverbs 22:21). Truth in Prophetic Witness Prophets invoked truth to confront idolatry, false prophecy, and social injustice. Zechariah’s post-exilic exhortation links truth to renewed community life: “Speak truth to one another, render sound judgments… love truth and peace” (Zechariah 8:16-19). Isaiah 59:14 laments national collapse: “Truth has stumbled in the public square.” Prophetic hope, however, rests on God’s unbreakable truth that undergirds the coming salvation (Isaiah 61:8). Truth in Prayer and Lament Petitioners appeal to God’s truth as the grounds for deliverance: “Guide me in Your truth and teach me” (Psalm 25:5). In crisis David prays, “Into Your hand I commit my spirit; You have redeemed me, O LORD, God of truth” (Psalm 31:5). Such prayers assume that God’s character guarantees hearing and help. Messianic and Eschatological Dimensions The promised Messiah embodies divine truth: “Righteousness will be the belt around His hips, and faithfulness the sash around His waist” (Isaiah 11:5). Psalm 89:14 links the eternal throne to “loving devotion and truth.” The prophetic vision of the New Covenant (Jeremiah 33:6) anticipates an era when truth secures lasting peace. Interplay with Loving Devotion and Faithfulness Repeated pairing of אֶמֶת with חֶסֶד (“loving devotion”) and אֱמוּנָה (“faithfulness”) highlights its relational quality. Truth is not mere accuracy but relational reliability—love that can be trusted. This triad frames God’s gracious dealings (Psalm 85:10) and sets the pattern for human ethics (Zechariah 7:9-10). Historical Significance in the Post-Exilic Community Following exile, truth became a rallying cry for restored identity. Nehemiah 9:13 recalls Sinai, noting that God “made known to them Your holy Sabbath, and commanded them precepts, statutes, and laws by the hand of Moses Your servant.” In rebuilding Jerusalem’s walls and society, leaders insisted on truthful oaths (Nehemiah 10:29) and accurate genealogies (Nehemiah 7), recognizing that a community without truth soon unravels. Theological Summary 1. Truth is intrinsic to God’s nature; therefore, His word and actions are utterly dependable. Practical Implications for Ministry • Preaching must rest on the conviction that Scripture is God’s truthful revelation, free from error and fully reliable. Representative References Genesis 24:27; Exodus 34:6; Deuteronomy 32:4; Joshua 24:14; 1 Kings 3:6; 2 Kings 20:3; Nehemiah 9:13; Psalm 15:2; Psalm 25:5; Psalm 31:5; Psalm 43:3; Psalm 85:10; Psalm 119:160; Proverbs 12:19; Proverbs 16:6; Proverbs 23:23; Isaiah 11:5; Isaiah 59:14; Jeremiah 5:1; Jeremiah 33:6; Hosea 4:1; Zechariah 8:16-19. Forms and Transliterations אֱ֝מֶ֗ת אֱ֭מֶת אֱמֶ֑ת אֱמֶ֔ת אֱמֶ֖ת אֱמֶ֗ת אֱמֶ֣ת אֱמֶ֥ת אֱמֶ֧ת אֱמֶֽת׃ אֱמֶת֙ אֱמֶת֮ אֲמִתְּךָ֪ אֲמִתֶּ֑ךָ אֲמִתֶּֽךָ׃ אֲמִתּֽוֹ׃ אמת אמת׃ אמתו׃ אמתך אמתך׃ בֶּֽאֱמֶ֣ת בֶּֽאֱמֶת֙ בֶּאֱמֶ֔ת בֶּאֱמֶ֖ת בֶּאֱמֶ֣ת בֶּאֱמֶ֤ת בֶּאֱמֶ֥ת בֶּאֱמֶ֧ת בֶּאֱמֶ֨ת בֶּאֱמֶֽת׃ בֶאֱמֶ֖ת בֶאֱמֶ֗ת בֶאֱמֶֽת׃ בַּ֝אֲמִתְּךָ֗ בַּאֲמִתֶּ֑ךָ בַּאֲמִתֶּֽךָ׃ בַאֲמִתֶּ֨ךָ ׀ באמת באמת׃ באמתך באמתך׃ הַֽאֱמֶ֖ת הָ֣אֱמֶ֔ת הָֽאֱמֶ֔ת הָֽאֱמֶת֙ האמת וְהָ֣אֱמֶ֔ת וְהָאֱמֶ֥ת וְהָאֱמֶת֙ וֶ֝אֱמֶ֗ת וֶ֭אֱמֶת וֶֽאֱמֶ֛ת וֶֽאֱמֶת־ וֶאֱמֶ֑ת וֶאֱמֶ֔ת וֶאֱמֶ֖ת וֶאֱמֶ֗ת וֶאֱמֶ֤ת וֶאֱמֶ֥ת וֶאֱמֶֽת׃ וַ֝אֲמִתְּךָ֗ וַ֭אֲמִתְּךָ וַאֲמִתּ֖וֹ וַאֲמִתּֽוֹ׃ וּבֶֽאֱמֶ֑ת ואמת ואמת־ ואמת׃ ואמתו ואמתו׃ ואמתך ובאמת והאמת לֶאֱמֶ֖ת לאמת ’ă·mit·te·ḵā ’ă·mit·tə·ḵā ’ă·mit·tōw ’ămitteḵā ’ămittəḵā ’ămittōw ’ĕ·meṯ ’ĕmeṯ amitTecha amitTo ba’ămitteḵā ba’ămittəḵā ḇa’ămitteḵā ba·’ă·mit·te·ḵā ba·’ă·mit·tə·ḵā ḇa·’ă·mit·te·ḵā baamitTecha be’ĕmeṯ ḇe’ĕmeṯ be·’ĕ·meṯ ḇe·’ĕ·meṯ beeMet eMet ha’ĕmeṯ hā’ĕmeṯ ha·’ĕ·meṯ hā·’ĕ·meṯ haeMet le’ĕmeṯ le·’ĕ·meṯ leeMet ū·ḇe·’ĕ·meṯ ūḇe’ĕmeṯ uveeMet vaamitTecha vaamitTo veeMet veHaeMet wa’ămittəḵā wa’ămittōw wa·’ă·mit·tə·ḵā wa·’ă·mit·tōw we’ĕmeṯ we’ĕmeṯ- we·’ĕ·meṯ we·’ĕ·meṯ- wə·hā·’ĕ·meṯ wəhā’ĕmeṯLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 24:27 HEB: עָזַ֥ב חַסְדּ֛וֹ וַאֲמִתּ֖וֹ מֵעִ֣ם אֲדֹנִ֑י NAS: His lovingkindness and His truth toward KJV: of his mercy and his truth: I [being] in the way, INT: forsaken his lovingkindness and his truth with my master Genesis 24:48 Genesis 24:49 Genesis 32:10 Genesis 42:16 Genesis 47:29 Exodus 18:21 Exodus 34:6 Deuteronomy 13:14 Deuteronomy 17:4 Deuteronomy 22:20 Joshua 2:12 Joshua 2:14 Joshua 24:14 Judges 9:15 Judges 9:16 Judges 9:19 1 Samuel 12:24 2 Samuel 2:6 2 Samuel 7:28 2 Samuel 15:20 1 Kings 2:4 1 Kings 3:6 1 Kings 10:6 1 Kings 17:24 127 Occurrences |
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