What is your definition of AMEN?

Question

I hear people saying 'amen' in agreement and in closing a prayer, and as a question. What does 'amen' mean to you?

Answer 1

Originally, "Amen" is simply a way of saying "Yes" in Hebrew to a statement by someone else It became a very SOLEMN way of affirming or agreeing to something in a formal context, probably first of all by it's use to accept or agree to a promise, and esp. the consequences of NOT keeping a promise, etc.

For example, in the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament), there are a number of instances in which a solemn oath is being taken --either a promise to do something, or a declaration that one is speaking the truth. One of the main ways this would happen is that the official, or sometimes the people in general, would pronounce a solemn curse to fall on anyone who BROKE the promise or did NOT tell the truth.

That person or group would respond with "Amen", that is -- 'IF I'm lying.... ' of 'IF I fail to keep this promise. . . may this curse fall on me.' (A good example is found in a ceremony recorded in Numbers 5, in which the woman accused of unfaithfulness accepts the 'conditional curse' pronounced by the priest by saying "Amen.")

In a similar way, in a formal setting a leader would pray in behalf of the whole group, and the people would respond with the "Amen", agreeing with the prayer and 'accepting it as their own'.

The idea, in both instances is, "Yes, it is true; it is as you say" or "Yes, may what you have said happen." (By the way, this is the actual word used in the gospels when Jesus says "Verily [amen] I say to you. . . ." or "Truly I say to you. . . .")

__________________

This Hebrew word continued to be used in Greek-speaking Jewish communities, and from there also in the early church, till it has become a universal expression, especially to be used at the end of a PRAYER. But similarly, if a leader (or sometimes anyone speaking in the formal gathering) declares something they BELIEVE, one or all might respond with "Amen", to affirm that they agree, that what is said is TRUE.

(Another example of its formal use. If you look at certain old Greek editions of the New Testament EVERY book ended with "Amen". Apparently what happened was this. The book would be read aloud in the church -- and the people would respond at the end with "Amen", accepting this as the Word of God -- affirming that they believed it was true and that they would do as it said.)

If we followed all this closely we probably would NOT say "Amen" to our OWN prayers, esp. spoken privately. But based on the public practice of affirming prayers, people generally DO add this word, as a solemn ending or reaffirmation. (Since it is often preceded by a formula like "in Jesus' name", it tends to combine with it to yield the sense -- 'may this be so because I ask it in Jesus' name'.)


Of course, there are a few looser uses that have developed from this, esp. in less formal settings.

For example, in many churches it is common for INDIVIDUALS to cry out "Amen" when the speaker has said something important -- some key truth of the faith-- that the listener wants to affirm and often to CELEBRATE. Because of this practice (perhaps esp. in old-style 19th century camp meetings?), "Amen" might sometimes function as a statement of thanks or praise, close in meaning and function to someone's crying out "Praise the Lord!" (or "Hallelujah", the Hebrew version of "Praise the Lord", and perhaps the ONE other Hebrew word used internationally in the church).

As far as the "question" use. That is simply when a leader/speaker is CALLING on people to respond with an "Amen" to some important truth that has just been stated. It's about the same as "Do I hear an 'Amen'?" The word itself is not a question.

Answer 2

It means you are in agreement with what was said, whether it be a prayer or a statement, to say Amen at the end shows you are in agreement.
Check out this link below!

Answer 3

–interjection 1. it is so; so be it (used after a prayer, creed, or other formal statement to express solemn ratification or agreement).
–adverb 2. verily; truly.
–noun 3. an utterance of the interjection “amen.”
4. a musical setting for such an utterance.
5. an expression of concurrence or assent: The committee gave its amen to the proposal.




Gk < Heb āmén certainty, certainly]

(ā-měn', ä-měn') Pronunciation Key
interj. Used at the end of a prayer or a statement to express assent or approval.


[Middle English, from Old English, from Late Latin āmēn, from Greek, from Hebrew 'āmēn, certainly, verily, from 'āman, to be firm; see mn in Semitic roots.]

O.E., from L.L. amen, from Gk. amen, from Heb., "truth," used adverbially as an expression of agreement (e.g. Deut. xxvii.26, I Kings i.36; cf. Mod.Eng. verily, surely, absolutely in the same sense), from Sem. root a-m-n "to be trustworthy, confirm, support." Used in O.E. only at the end of Gospels, otherwise translated as Soðlic! or Swa hit ys, or Sy!. As an expression of concurrence after prayers, it is recorded from c.1230.

noun
a primeval Egyptian personification of air and breath; worshipped especially at Thebes

[ˌaːgmen, ˌeiˈmen] interjection, noun

(usually Amen) said or sung by Jews or Christians to express a wish that the prayer should be fulfilled

Answer 4

ive always thought it meant um like 'i agree' or sumthin so it culd b used in agreement, um also 2 finish a prayer nd then if u were askin a question u culd say 'amen?' like do u agree?

Answer 5

it's hebrew. translated it means "let it be so", "truly" or "it is so". you could see how people would use it in agreement. it is traditionally a closing in prayer as a plea for response from God to a prayer, an affirmation of what will be done by God, a statement of confidence in God...

Answer 6

I heard from someone that it means "so be it" In other words, you're saying that you're putting it in God's hands. In agreement it means I agree, let it be. Hope I helped out

Answer 7

To me "amen" means to hope things we'd like to happen, but not EXPECT them from God.

Answer 8

I define it as a closing statement of a prayer.

Answer 9

either agreeing or used as a final way to end a prayer

Answer 10

Thats it end of prayer, complete, finished, over and out