Why Say Amen?

[Kai]

This is a topic that's piqued my curiosity for a little while now but I just made myself to sit down and actually look this up.

I've always felt a little funny when I end my prayers with amen because I don't like saying a work when I don't really know it's meaning or context. Here are my findings on the meaning behind "Amen", where it started and why we still use it today.

Pronounced 'ah-MANE' in the Hebrew language, the first instance I could find of the word "amen" being used in the Bible is in Numbers chapter 5, when a woman is accused of adultery but without solid evidence for such. To test her guilt she's made to drink soil from the tabernacle dissolved in water. If she is unharmed she's innocent, but if she contracts a horrible disease that kills her she was guilty. During this test she is made to say "amen" over and over. Strong's concordance gives a loose translation of "amen" here as "verily, truly, or so be it". In this instance the last example seems to fit best, in that it's bidding God's will to be.

Other instances of "amen" are found in Matthew 6, 1 Corintians, and Revelations 22 as well as in a couple other places. In both Matthew and Corinthians the meaning of the word "amen" elaborates a little.
Strong's Concordance says:

Strong's said:

1) firm
a) metaph. faithful

2) verily, amen
a) at the beginning of a discourse - surely, truly, of a truth
b) at the end - so it is, so be it, may it be fulfilled. It was a custom, which passed over from the synagogues to the Christian assemblies, that when he who had read or discoursed, had offered up solemn prayer to God, the others responded Amen, and thus made the substance of what was uttered their own.

So from this I've come to the conclusion that "amen" really has two meaning depending on where it's used. At the beginning of a phrase it's indicative that what the person is saying is truth. Where as when used at the end it seems to be affirming what was said as well as stating with faith that God hears their prayers and acts accordingly.

Any input or comments? :3

[railaybara]

That's really interesting, Kai. I never really think about things like that.
-Rail

It seems like you to come up with a question like this...but it was a good one. I guess with the context people made it tradition without even telling their poor children what it's about..
-Barbatos

That is correct.
-Ssyjin

[Kai]

Thanks you guys. Yeah it is a bit like me to question why on some pretty little things, but I think if you're going to say something you should really know what it is you're saying. Like abracadabra, very few people realize that that word gets it roots from Arabaic where it means "create as I say". :3

@barbatos: It's true, though I think the amen thing and not knowing what it means became a problem back when the Romans adopted Christianity. Since Amen is a Hebrew word they wouldn't really know what it means, but caught on that it was said at the end of prayers and such, so they adopted it. And the Romans were the ones to really spread Christianity so the strain of ignorance just kind of went with them.

[Seric Phriam]

Interesting. I used to think it just mean 'agreed', but what you said makes way more sense.

I don't think it's a little thing, it's important to know what it means since we use it so much.

[railaybara]

@seric
Most people do not know in which they speak.
-Razekiel

Kai
True, I think Hebrew is a good language to find out about.
-Barbatos

[Seric Phriam]

@ Razekiel

Too true.

@ Barbatos

I want to learn Hebrew so I can translate the Bible for myself, but I have no idea where to start.

[railaybara]

@seric
That's probably one of the hardest languages to start out and teach in my opinion. I don't think there is anything around teaching that language anyways.
-Barbatos

[Seric Phriam]

@ Barbatos

I bet I can find a book on it, although that might not be enough.

[railaybara]

@seric
I guess our whole system is here if you have any questions, we were around when it was prominantly spoken...except for Roan. He's just a ghost who died in I think in the 1950's.
-Barbatis