Bible Lexicons

† ἀμνή ,

indecl.

(Heb. H543, verbal adj. fr. H539, to prop, ni., be firm),

[in LXX: 1 Chronicles 16:36, 1 Esdras 9:46, Nehemiah 5:13; Nehemiah 8:6-8, Nehemiah 4:15, 3 Maccabees 7:23, 4 Maccabees 18:24 (elsewhere ״א is rendered ἀληθινός , Isaiah 65:16; ἀληθῶς , Jeremiah 28:6; γένοιτο , Numbers 5:22, Deuteronomy 27:15 ff, 1 Kings 1:36, Psalms 41:13; Psalms 72:19; Psalms 106:48, Jeremiah 11:5)*.]

1. As adj. (cf. Isa, l.c.), ὁ ἀ ., Revelation 3:14

2. As adv.,

(a) in solemn assent to the statements or prayers of another (Nu, Ne, etc., ll. c.): τό ἀ ., 1 Corinthians 14:16;

(b) similarly, at the end of one's own prayer or ascription of praise: Romans 1:25; Romans 15:33, Galatians 1:5, 1 Timothy 1:17;

(c) in the Gospels, exclusively, introducing solemn statements of our Lord, truly, verily: Matthew 5:18; Matthew 5:26, Mark 3:28 (v. Swete, in l), Luke 4:24, al.; ἀ . ἀ ., always in Jo 1:52, 3:3, 5:19, al.; τὸ ναί , καὶ . . . τὸ ἀ ., 2 Corinthians 1:20 (on usage in Papyri, v. MM, VGT, s.v.).

۹θ is a common symbol in the Christian papyri for ἀμήν, 99 being the sum of the numerical equivalents of the letters (1 + 40 + 8 + 50) : see e.g. P Oxy VI. 925.7 (v/vi A.D.), where a prayer for guidance regarding a certain journey concludes—γένοιτο, ۹θ, ";so be it; Amen,"; and P Iand I. 6.16 (a Christian amulet—v/vi A.D.) with the editor’s note. In P Oxy VII. 1058 (iv/v A.D.) the word is written out in full, ὁ θ (εὸ)ς τῶν παρακειμένων σταυρῶν, βοήθησον τὸν δοῦλόν σου Ἀπφουᾶν. ἀμήν, ";O God of the crosses that are laid upon us, help thy servant Apphouas. Amen."; (Ed.)