Amen!
by Amen – the best known word in human language. What do you really know about the word or its origins?
How many of you have said the word Amen at the end of a prayer?
Many of us will have uttered the word on countless occasions, without really giving it a second thought…….Amen is often cited as the best known word in human speech!
I have a vague recollection of a drab RE (Religious education) lesson, where it was explained that the word “Amen” means “so be it”.
So why don’t we say “so be it” at the end of a prayer? If someone has gone to the trouble to translate entire bible texts and associated prayers – why does this particular word remain in its original form?
“So be it” is a short phrase, easy to say, and everyone understands the meaning.
HISTORY OF THE WORD
According to the text books, the word Amen is of Hebrew origin, used in Jewish synagogues and then transferred to the Greeks, used in the Latin language and transferred to English.
Some claim that the word was originally derived from a Sanskrit word aum, meaning “to sound out loudly”
Jaha Issa, a scholar who has researched the book “The Origin of the Word Amen: Ancient Knowledge the Bible Has Never Told” after much research, presented a study which concluded that the root of the word was African, derived from a pre-dynastic Egyptian culture found in the Sudan.
THE BIBLE
Although the word Amen can be found in numerous references throughout the bible (amongst other religious texts), it is the following reference which I find interesting:-
(The King James version) Revelation 3:14
“And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;”
Jesus Christ calls Himself the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness…..how therefore, can the translation of Amen be “so be it” or in fact any phrase purely of assertion or approval?
This excerpt seems to imply that Amen is an identity or state of mind rather than an assertion.
This could make sense if you accept that perhaps, both the history and true meaning of “Amen” have been deliberately hidden to ensure the (covert) perpetuation of an ancient Egyptian (or perhaps an African civilisation preceding the Egyptians) – The Cult of Amen
THE CULT OF AMEN
Amen (or Amun) was an ancient Egyptian god (originally associated with the ancient city of Thebes) – the origin and detail of the initial origin of the God remains unknown – but the name Amen means “hidden one”, “the breath of life”…”creator of the human soul.”
Image source Image Source
Ra, the Egyptian sun god and Amen were assimilated together – Amen Ra became the focus of a complex theological system popular throughout the Egyptian kingdom for thousands of years.
Amen “Lord of truth, father of the Gods, maker of men, creator of all animals, Lord of things that are, creator of the staff of life.”
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Post Commentashleycollier
On May 7, 2009 at 10:03 am
Excellent work, very interesting
ladybaby
On May 7, 2009 at 10:44 am
Wow! That sure opened my eyes. I never even wondered about the word. Now I’m confused. But I surely will think twice when using it next time. Thanks for the great history lesson. We truly do learn from each other on this sight.
C Jordan
On May 7, 2009 at 11:09 am
Well written and researched and also very interesting
Louie Jerome
On May 7, 2009 at 11:37 am
Very interesting and it is great to read something original and different on here. We get so many rehashes of the same things. Great job!
Dreyan
On May 7, 2009 at 11:46 am
I don’t think there is aconnection between amen and Amen, they’re even pronounced differently. And of course one needs not fear the word, the use of words is to convey meaning, so as long as your meaning is well, all is well.
ufoptics
On May 7, 2009 at 12:43 pm
I knew the “so be it” translation, but wow what a history report. It is funny that everything in modern religion today reflects the religion of long past cultures. And how ALL their discribtions of the gods are flying above to the heavens. Not to mention the staff of life (DNA???). just wanted to post a few comments and say “thanks for the well written and reseached article.
hfj
On May 7, 2009 at 12:51 pm
A great article that was informative, and very well researched. I too am guilty of not knowing the meaning of the word Amen. We just always said it at the dinner table when i was growing up after praying blessings over our food. Your research was wonderful, thanks for sharing.
Lauren Axelrod
On May 7, 2009 at 5:57 pm
This was very interesting. I never knew the word had so much history.
Jan Daniel
On May 7, 2009 at 8:10 pm
As human beings we can at times be both truthful and deceptive if we choose to be. Therefore I believe the same could apply to some words. Well researched article.
Yovita Siswati
On May 8, 2009 at 1:13 am
Interesting topic! I learn new thing today.
Melody SJAL
On May 8, 2009 at 4:00 am
Very interesting and well-researched.
J J Neuman
On May 10, 2009 at 8:49 am
Wow! And I always thought for sure this word was exclusive to the Bible, of Hebrew origin only. And, from what I’ve read about the Masons and their historic perspective, I figured they would have their own reasons for not using it, other than they are not really a religious organization. Very intriguing stuff!
Joe, retired Marine officer
On May 17, 2009 at 1:18 am
There is more compelling evidence that it is derived from the Sanskrit word Aum. Aum is the almighty sound of the universe which represents the manifestation of the one true power.
nobert soloria bermosa
On May 18, 2009 at 8:43 am
very informative, we learn lots of things in history
rizzei
On June 27, 2009 at 7:54 am
you really are amazing..:) amen:)
S. Lane
On July 8, 2009 at 1:25 am
The pictre of “King Tut”’s mask is really not him but his brother. Tut took the mask to use for himself. (Thought you’d like to know.)
Thor
On July 8, 2009 at 3:55 am
Great and living Aten, ordaining life, vigorously alive, our father. Our wall of millions of cubits, our reminder of eternity, our witness of what is eternal. Who fashions himself with his own hands, whom no craftsman has devised. Who is established in rising and setting each day ceaselessly. Whether he is in heaven, or on earth, every eye beholds him without hindrance, whilst he fills the land with his rays and enables everyone to live. With seeing whom, our eyes are satisfied daily in this Temple of the Aten and fills it with his own self by means of his rays, beauteous with love, and embraces us with them in life and power forever. — Ancient Egyptian Prayer
Billyfnstacy
On November 9, 2009 at 12:28 am
Very interesting. Im especially interested in the Mason paragraph. I am now curious to find out the reason behind why the have excluded “Amen” from their prayer.
Ra El
On May 1, 2010 at 11:56 am
My research shows that Amon/Amun/Amen ‘The Hidden One’ was a local Moon/lunar deity of Thebes (originally Waset before it was renamed after the Greek city) in Egypt that was elevated by the growing power and wealth of Thebes to take over Ra’s position as ‘Father Amen, Supreme God of Egypt’, and later hijacked the Egyptian Sun throne as Amen Ra. Thirteen stone obelisks (one for each of the original lunar months of the year) were transported to Rome from Egypt during the rule of the Roman Empire. Some of the obelisks weighed more than 300 tons. Was the power of the Moon god moved to Rome under the influence of Amen?
If it is true that the un-inscribed obelisk in the centre of St Peter’s Piazza was originally dedicated to Amen then the obelisk (phallix) could represent the domineering Moon (father)force that eclipses the face of the Son/sun (four spoke wheel), stands over the Mother (eight spoke wheel) and still receives recognition after the utterance of prayer: “for ever and ever, Amen”. Take a look at the floor plan of St Peter’s Square.
prepare for 2012
On June 15, 2010 at 12:35 pm
Nice topic. What is important is who we are praying for and who we believe in.