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Where does the term "Amen" come from?


By Eliezer Posner

According to the Talmud,1 the Hebrew word "amen" (pronounced "ah-men" or, in Ashkenazi pronunciation, "uh-main") is related to the word "amanah," meaning truthfulness, credence or belief. When we hear another reciting a blessing we respond with "amen"; thus affirming that we believe that which has just been said.

In addition, amen (אמן) is an acronym for the Hebrew words א-ל מלך נאמן, (El Melech Ne'eman), meaning "G‑d, the trustworthy King."

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Eliezer Posner
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FOOTNOTES
1.

Shevuot 36a.

By Eliezer Posner   More articles...  |   RSS Listing of Newest Articles by this Author
Eliezer Posner is a former member of the chabad.org Ask the Rabbi team.
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Reader Comments
Latest Comments:
Posted: Mar 3, 2011
To Anonymous in Danville:
Think of the Hebrew word נאמן, meaning trustworthy, or the word אמונה, meaning belief. The root of both words is אמן.
Posted By Menachem Posner for Chabad.org, Montreal, Quebec
via jewishtrivalley.com

Posted: Feb 25, 2011
What are the roots of the word "amanah". I do not see it anywhere as a Hebrew word connected to the meaning offered.

Thank You
Posted By Anonymous, Danville, CA.
via jewishtrivalley.com

Posted: Nov 14, 2010
Excellent
Short, sweet and complete. Just what i was looking for. Fits in perfectly with what is considered perhaps its most important use: Kaddish- V'imru Amen followed by the zenith line of the entire prayer " Amen Shmay Rabba ... Ulmaya Itborech " ... " Amen. May His Great Name Be Blessed Forever and Ever and Ever " as per Rabbi Tzvi.

Thank you.
Posted By Mordi, WC

Posted: Nov 26, 2008
Excellent info. I had no idea about the acronym. Thank you.
Posted By Kelly Rae, Sydney, AU



 


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