amen
/ɑːˈmɛn/ or /ˈeɪmɛn/
interjection
Origin
Hebrew
אָמַן — to confirm, support, or be faithful
Overview
Meaning Now
- Used at the end of a prayer, statement, or hymn to express solemn ratification, agreement, or devotion, meaning 'so be it' or 'truly'.
Literal older meaning
truly, certainly, so be it
Language path
Hebrew → Aramaic → Greek → Latin → English
Earliest form
אָמֵן
Earliest period
8th century BCE
Journey
The word originated as a verbal adjective in Hebrew signifying reliability. In liturgical settings, it evolved from an adverb of agreement into an acclamatory interjection, signifying communal assent to a preceding prayer or proclamation.
Evolution
- Ancient Hebrew
אָמֵן
“truly, verily”
Adverbial usage in biblical texts.
- Aramaic
אָמֵן
“so be it”
Transition into liturgical use as a response.
- Koine Greek
ἀμήν
“truly, amen”
Transliterated into Greek for early Christian liturgical practice.
- Medieval Latin
amen
“amen”
Adopted directly from Greek into Ecclesiastical Latin.
- Old English
amen
“amen”
Adopted via Latin/Christian influence.
Connections
Word parts
amn
root
firmness, certainty
Related across languages
Arabic
آمِين
amen
Aramaic
אָמֵן
truly
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Related to amen
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.