The last word of many prayers, amen, really means what?

smartee123

"Amen" I have read in a paper is Greek, meaning "I Believe". Here is another source with it's origin and meaning: http://members.datafast.net.au/sggram/f484.htm And wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amen Jul 30 09, 8:17 PM

queproblema

"Amen, meaning "so be it,' is of Hebrew origin." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amen Cut-and-paste: Oddly, to get a scriptural answer to what “Amen” means, we go to a place where it is used not as the last word but the first word. Jesus would often start a solemn statement by saying "Verily" or "Truly". In John's gospel (eg Jhn 3:3) Jesus is recorded as using the word twice in succession, "Verily, verily, I say to you...". This is actually the word “Amen”.... When we say, “Amen” we are saying, "Yes before God I agree with that, I believe that to be true, I want that to be so". http://members.datafast.net.au/sggram/f484.htm Jul 30 09, 10:56 PM

Arpeggionist

It's a Hebrew word, possibly borrowed from the ancient Egyptian god Amun, meaning: "This is truth" or "may it be true." The root is the same as "Emunah" - faith/knowledge/conviction/veracity. In Judaism it is a sign of agreement. The Torah uses the word 14 times, twice in succession in Numbers 5:22 and 12 times in Deuteronomy 25, as a way people should respond when a curse is promised as a punishment for the sins mentioned before they say it ("Cursed be he who does not uphold the teachings of this Torah to perform them, and the people shall respond 'Amen'." - Deuteronomy 27:26 [translation my own]). Jul 31 09, 10:11 AM

Bronxiteone

"Amen" can also be viewed as a Hebrew acronym meaning "G-D the faithful king. "K'al Melech ne-eh -man " gives the equivalent of a-me-n." This sentence is said whenever we individually say The Shema. Jul 31 09, 2:04 PM