– It comes from the Hebrew amen (so be it), from the Latin amen , with the meaning of consent, approval, consent.
– Then in the OT this word is used to indicate that the people agreed with what they had heard:
Ne 5,13 : To which the whole assembly replied: “Amen” praising the Lord.
– There are other passages in which the expression is used to indicate approval, as in the law on jealousy:
Num 5,22 : To which the woman will reply: “Amen! Amen!”.
– Moses orders that, after blessings and curses, uttered by the Levites, the people answer: “Amen!”.
Deut 27:15 : And all the people will say: “Amen!”.
– “So be it! So will the Lord command”: is the servant’s agreement to all that David had commanded about the consecration of his son, Solomon.
– This word of assent also appears in psalms:
Ps 40,14 : So be it! So be it!
Ps 71:19 : Blessed be his glorious name forever, and may the whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen! Amen!
Ps 88:53 : Blessed be the Lord forever! Amen! Amen!
Ps 105 :48 : And let all the people say: “Amen!”.
– Passed into NT writings with the same meaning (in which Jesus is given the name Amen of God ).
Rom 1:25 : And they worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forevermore. Amen!
2Cor 1:20 : Therefore, it is through him that we say Amen to the glory of God.
Rev 1,6-7 : Because of him all the races of the earth will mourn. Yup. Amen.
Rev 3:14 : Write to the angel of the church of Laodicea: This is what the Amen, the faithful and true Witness, says.
