OLD TESTAMENT
- The term “Amen” (BDB 52-54, KB 129) is from a Hebrew word for:
1.1. “truth”
1.2. “truthfulness”
1.3. “faith” or “faithfulness”
1.4. “trust” - SPECIAL TOPIC: Believe, Trust, Faith and Faithfulness in the OT
2.1. Its etymology denoted a person’s stable physical stance. The opposite would be one who is unstable, slipping (cf. Psalm 35:6; 40:2; 73:18; Jeremiah 23:12) or stumbling (cf. Ps. 73:2).
2.2. From this literal usage developed (i.e., in a response to commands, blessings, curses, doxologies, prayers) the metaphorical extension of faithful, trustworthy, loyal, and dependable (cf. Hab. 2:4). - Special usages
3.1. A pillar, 2 Kgs. 18:16 (1 Tim. 3:15).
3.2. Assurance, Exod. 17:12.
3.3. Steadiness, Exod. 17:12.
3.4. Stability, Isa. 33:6.
3.5. True, 1 Kgs. 10:6; 17:24; 22:16; Pro. 12:22.
3.6. Firm, 2 Chr. 20:20; Isa. 7:9.
3.7. Reliable (Torah), Ps. 119:43,142,151,160.
3.8. A command would be fulfilled, 1 Kgs. 1:36. - In the OT two other Hebrew terms are used for active faith:
4.1. Bathach (BDB 105), trust.
4.2. Yra (BDB 431), fear, respect, worship (cf. Gen. 22:12). - From the sense of trust or trustworthiness developed a liturgical usage which was used to affirm a true or trustworthy statement of another (i.e., “so be it”)
5.1. Examples: Num. 5:22; Deut. 27:15-26; 1 Kgs. 1:36; 1 Chr. 16:36; Neh. 5:13; 8:6; Ps. 41:13; 72:19; 89:52; 106:48; Jer. 11:5; 28:6. - The theological key to this term is not mankind’s faithfulness, but YHWH’s
6.1. Cf. Exod. 34:6; Deut. 32:4; Ps. 108:4; 115:1; 117:2; 138:2.
6.2. Fallen humanity’s only hope is the merciful, faithful, covenant loyalty of YHWH and His promises.
6.3. Those who know YHWH are to be like Him (cf. Hab. 2:4). - The Bible is a history and a record of God restoring His image (cf. Gen. 1:26-27) in mankind
7.1. Salvation restores mankind’s ability to have intimate fellowship with God.
7.2. This is why we were created.
NEW TESTAMENT
The concept of faithfulness or faith, trustworthiness, or trust is expressed in the Greek term pistos or pistis
12.1. Translated into English as “trust,” “faith,” “believe.”
12.2. See SPECIAL TOPIC: FAITH, BELIEVE, OR TRUST.
The use of the word “amen” as a concluding liturgical affirmation of a statement’s trustworthiness is common in the NT
8.1. Cf. 1 Cor. 14:16; Rev. 1:7; 5:14; 7:12; 19:4.
The use of the term as a close to a prayer is common in the NT
9.1. Cf. Rom. 1:25; 9:5; 11:36; 15:33; 16:27; 1 Cor. 16:24; Gal. 1:5; 6:18; Eph. 3:21; Phil. 4:20; 2 Thess. 3:18; 1 Tim. 1:17; 6:16; 2 Tim. 4:18; Heb. 13:21; 1 Pet. 4:11; 5:11; 2 Pet. 3:18; Jude v. 25; Rev. 1:6; 7:12 [twice]; 22:20,21.
Jesus is the only one who used the term (doubled in John 25 times, i.e., John 1:51; 3:3,5,11; etc.) to introduce significant statements
10.1. Cf. Luke 4:24; 12:37; 18:17,29; 21:32; 23:43.
10.2. Although it must be noted that there are examples of a doubling of “amen,” as at the end of statements in the OT (i.e., Num. 5:22; Neh. 8:6; Ps. 41:13; 72:19; 89:52).
10.3. It was imagery to emphasize a true statement. See note at I. E.
It is used as a title for Jesus in Rev. 3:14
11.1. Also note 2 Cor. 1:20, possibly a title of YHWH from Isa. 65:16.
The concept of faithfulness or faith, trustworthiness, or trust is expressed in the Greek term pistos or pistis
12.1. Translated into English as “trust,” “faith,” “believe.”
12.2. See SPECIAL TOPIC: FAITH, BELIEVE, OR TRUST.