AMEN, in Hebrew, signifies true, faithful, אמןAmen, John i. 51. & passim.certain. It is made use of likewise to affirm any thing; and was a sort of affirmation used often by our Saviour. Amen, Amen, dico vobis. Lastly, it is understood as expressing a wish,1 Amen, So be it; or an affirmation, Amen, Yes. I believe it. How 1 Cor. xiv. 16.shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest. The Hebrews end the five books of Psalms, according to their way of distributing them, with the words Amen, Amen; which the Septuagint have translated Genoito, Genoito; and the Latins, Fiat, Fiat. The Greek and Latin Churches have preserved this word in their prayers, as well as Alleluia and Hosanna; because they observed more energy in them than in any terms which they could use in their own languages. At the conclusion of the publick prayers, the People answered with a loud voice, Amen. And St. Jerom2 says, that at Rome, when the People answered Amen, the sound of their voices was like a clap of thunder, In similitudinem cœlestis tonitrui Amen reboat. The Jews assert, that the Gates of Heaven are opened to him who answers Amen with all his might.
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