What does it mean and where did it start ?
2006-07-21 14:13:10 · 25 answers · asked by Jess 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
It means "so be it"
word Amen (Tiberian Hebrew אָמֵן ’Āmēn "So be it; truly", Standard Hebrew אמן Amen, Arabic آمين ’Āmīn, Ge'ez' አሜን ’Āmēn) is a declaration of affirmation found in the Hebrew Bible and in the Qur'an. It has always been in use within Judaism and Islam. It has been generally adopted in Christian worship as a concluding formula for prayers and hymns. In Islam, it is the standard ending to suras. Common English translations of the word amen include: "Verily", "Truly", "So be it", and "Let it be".
2006-07-21 14:17:08 · answer #1 · answered by Debra M. Wishing Peace To All 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The uses of amen ("verily") in the Gospels form a peculiar class; they are initial, but often lack any backward reference. Jesus used the word to affirm his own utterances, not those of another person, and this usage was adopted by the church. The liturgical use of the word in apostolic times is attested by the passage from 1 Corinthians cited above, and Justin Martyr (c. 150) describes the congregation as responding "amen," to the benediction after the celebration of the Eucharist. Its introduction into the baptismal formula (in the Greek Orthodox Church it is pronounced after the name of each person of the Trinity) is probably later. Among certain Gnostic sects Amen became the name of an angel.
In the King James Bible, the word amen is preserved in a number of contexts. Notable ones include:
The catechism of curses of the Law found in Deuteronomy 27.
A double amen ("amen and amen") occurs in Psalm 89.
The custom of closing prayers with amen originates in the Lord's Prayer at Matthew 6:13
Amen occurs in several doxology formulas in Romans 1:25, 9:5, 11:36, 15:33, and several times in Chapter 16.
It concludes all of Paul's general epistles.
In Revelation 3:14, Jesus calls himself, "the Amen, the faithful and true witness."
Amen concludes the New Testament at Rev. 22:21.
In some Christian churches, the amen corner or amen section is any subset of the congregation likely to call out "Amen!" in response to points in a preacher's sermon. Metaphorically, the term can refer to any group of heartfelt traditionalists or supporters of an authority figure.
In American English, the word "amen" has two pronunciations, ah-men or ay-men. The ah-men pronunciation is the one that is used in performances of classical music and in churches with more formalized rituals and liturgy. The ay-men pronunciation is associated with evangelical Christianity, and the pronunciation that is typically sung in gospel music.
2006-07-21 21:17:01 · answer #2 · answered by akiras mommy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A prayer doesn't necessarily have to end with Amen, many times when I pray I don't really end it, I just switch from talking to God to thinking about something else.
Amen means "let it be", or "so be it". It is a way of saying 'Okay God, please answer my prayer how I want you too, but in the end what I want is your will, let it all work out the way You have planned'. I'm not sure where it started.
2006-07-21 21:20:11 · answer #3 · answered by sheerpanache 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A pray should be to the father and end in Jesus Name, Amen or so be it. Since we do not know the future, the Spirit helps our infirmities. Romans 8: 26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. The reason why we pray in Jesus name is because He is the mediator between God and man. Amen (so be it). 1 Timothy 1: 4 Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.
2006-07-21 21:56:15 · answer #4 · answered by Ray W 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Amen means so be it...
Matthew 6:9-13 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
Jesus taught the disciples how to pray...and He finished with Amen...
2006-07-21 21:20:30 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Definition: Amen is an exclamation expressing agreement with a statement. At the end of a prayer it expresses the genuineness of the petition.
2006-07-21 21:25:37 · answer #6 · answered by Johnny 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it started from the Bible, it has many meanings, you can look it up on the web search thingy..anyway, I'm a christian and wondered the same thing, that's why I searched myself but it was too long to read so, I'll just go with the flow because it feels good. it's like the prayer is the essay and "amen" is the conclusion, its the completion of my prayer.
2006-07-21 21:18:40 · answer #7 · answered by ♥JCluvsu2!♥ 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Amen means I agree.
2006-07-21 21:16:54 · answer #8 · answered by wondering in michigan 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Amen, Hebrew for “so be it,” signifying affirmation, commonly used at the close of a Jewish or Christian prayer or hymn. As used by Jesus in the New Testament, it was traditionally translated "verily."
2006-07-21 21:18:23 · answer #9 · answered by Hyzakyt 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Amen means I agree with you. So when someone else is praying and you want that for yourself, or you agree with him.
You say Amen like dito me to
And old English term meaning I agree with you
2006-07-21 21:17:47 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋