364. Amen

By: James M. Freeman

• 1 min. read • grade level: 8

1 Chronicles 16:36³⁶Blessed be the Lord God of Israel for ever and ever. And all the people said, Amen, and praised the Lord. (1 Chronicles 16:36). All the people said, Amen, and praised the Lord.

Amen literally means firm, from aman, to prop, to support. Its figurative meaning is faithful. Its use is designed as a confirmatory response, and the custom is very ancient. See Numbers 5:22²²And this water that causeth the curse shall go into thy bowels, to make thy belly to swell, and thy thigh to rot: And the woman shall say, Amen, amen. (Numbers 5:22); Deuteronomy 27:15-26¹⁵Cursed be the man that maketh any graven or molten image, an abomination unto the Lord, the work of the hands of the craftsman, and putteth it in a secret place. And all the people shall answer and say, Amen. ¹⁶Cursed be he that setteth light by his father or his mother. And all the people shall say, Amen. ¹⁷Cursed be he that removeth his neighbor's landmark. And all the people shall say, Amen. ¹⁸Cursed be he that maketh the blind to wander out of the way. And all the people shall say, Amen. ¹⁹Cursed be he that perverteth the judgment of the stranger, fatherless, and widow. And all the people shall say, Amen. ²⁰Cursed be he that lieth with his father's wife; because he uncovereth his father's skirt. And all the people shall say, Amen. ²¹Cursed be he that lieth with any manner of beast. And all the people shall say, Amen. ²²Cursed be he that lieth with his sister, the daughter of his father, or the daughter of his mother. And all the people shall say, Amen. ²³Cursed be he that lieth with his mother in law. And all the people shall say, Amen. ²⁴Cursed be he that smiteth his neighbor secretly. And all the people shall say, Amen. ²⁵Cursed be he that taketh reward to slay an innocent person. And all the people shall say, Amen. ²⁶Cursed be he that confirmeth not all the words of this law to do them. And all the people shall say, Amen. (Deuteronomy 27:15‑26).

“The Jewish doctors give three rules for pronouncing the word: 1. That it be not pronounced too hastily and swiftly, but with a grave and distinct voice. 2. That it be not louder than the tone of him that blessed. 3. It was to be expressed in faith, with a certain persuasion that God would bless them and hear their prayer” (Burder, Oriental Customs, No. 438).

It is also customary for the Mohammedans, at the close of every public prayer, to say, Amen.

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