What does “amen” mean?
You’ve said it your whole life at the end of every prayer. But what does “amen” actually mean?
“Amen” is a Hebrew word that means “truly,” “it is so,” or “so be it.” When you say amen at the end of a prayer, you’re agreeing with everything that was said and declaring your trust that God hears it. Jesus often began His teaching with “Truly, truly, I tell you,” which in the original Greek is literally “Amen, amen.” And Jesus Himself is called “the Amen, the faithful and true Witness” (Revelation 3:14). Amen means “yes, God, I agree, and I trust You with it.”
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A whole nation said “Amen”
After Israel returned from exile, the people gathered in Jerusalem, and Ezra the scribe stood on a high wooden platform and opened the book of God’s law. As he opened it, all the people stood up. Ezra praised the LORD, “and all the people lifted their hands and responded, ‘Amen, Amen!’ Then they bowed down and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground” (Nehemiah 8:5–6).
Where it shows up in the Bible
At the end of prayers and praises (Psalm 41:13). As the people’s response of agreement (Deuteronomy 27:15–26; 1 Corinthians 14:16). At the start of Jesus’ most important teachings (“Truly, truly”). As a name for Jesus (Revelation 3:14). And it is the second-to-last word of the whole Bible (Revelation 22:21).
Why it matters
“For all the promises of God are ‘Yes’ in Christ. And so through Him, our ‘Amen’ is spoken to the glory of God” (2 Corinthians 1:20). Every amen is agreement with God’s promises in Jesus.
What the Bible says
- 01
Yes and amen.
“For all the promises of God are “Yes” in Christ. And so through Him, our “Amen” is spoken to the glory of God.”
2 Corinthians 1:20 - 02
The Amen.
“To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Originator of God’s creation.”
Revelation 3:14 - 03
Amen, Amen.
“Ezra opened the book in full view of all the people, since he was standing above them all, and as he opened it, all the people stood up. Then Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God, and with their hands uplifted, all the people said, “Amen, Amen!” Then they bowed down and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground.”
Nehemiah 8:5–6 - 04
Amen and amen.
“Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Amen and Amen.”
Psalm 41:13 - 05
Saying amen together.
“Otherwise, if you speak a blessing in spirit, how can someone who is uninstructed say “Amen” to your thanksgiving, since he does not know what you are saying?”
1 Corinthians 14:16 - 06
Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
“He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all the saints. Amen.”
Revelation 22:20–21
Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.
The next time you pray, pause before you say amen and mean it: “Yes, God. I agree, and I trust You.”
Common questions
Do I have to say amen at the end of a prayer?
No, but it is a meaningful way to agree with and seal your prayer.
Is “amen” Hebrew or Greek?
It is Hebrew, carried over unchanged into Greek and almost every language.
Why do people say “amen” during a sermon?
To agree out loud with what’s being preached, the way Israel did when the law was read.
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