אֲמַן
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Definition
The Aramaic word אֲמַן (ʼăman) means to be firm, reliable, or trustworthy. In the book of Daniel, it describes something that is certain and true, as when Daniel tells King Nebuchadnezzar that the dream's interpretation is 'certain' (Daniel 2:45). It also characterizes a person's faithful and trustworthy character, such as Daniel himself, who was found to be 'faithful' with no negligence or corruption (Daniel 6:4). Finally, it conveys the idea of trust or belief, as when King Darius expresses hope that Daniel's God, whom he serves 'continually,' will deliver him (Daniel 6:23).
Biblical Usage
This word is used exclusively in the Aramaic portions of the book of Daniel. It appears three times, each highlighting a different nuance of reliability. In Daniel 2:45, it describes the certainty of a prophetic revelation. In Daniel 6:4, it describes the impeccable, trustworthy character of Daniel as a government official. In Daniel 6:23, it is used verbally in the phrase 'whom he served continually,' implying steadfast belief and trust in God.
Etymology
This is the Aramaic form corresponding directly to the Hebrew root אמן (ʼāman, H539), which means to be firm, faithful, or reliable. The root is foundational for the concept of 'faith' and 'amen' in biblical language. Its development into Aramaic retains the core meanings of firmness, trustworthiness, and belief.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as the Aramaic counterpart to the central Hebrew concept of faith (אמן). It connects the idea of God's reliable truth (Daniel 2:45) with human faithfulness (Daniel 6:4) and active trust in God (Daniel 6:23). Understanding this word enriches the reading of Daniel by showing that faith, even in a foreign court and language, is about unwavering reliability in God's character and promises.
In the context of the Babylonian and Persian courts depicted in Daniel, being 'faithful' (ʼăman) was a high administrative virtue, implying incorruptibility and loyalty. The word's use for both divine certainty and human integrity bridges the cultural gap between Mesopotamian ideals of royal service and the biblical call to trust in Yahweh alone.
אָמַן (ʼāman, H539) — The direct Hebrew root verb meaning to believe, be firm, or be faithful. כּוּן (kûn, H3559) — To be established or firm, often of things being set in place. אֱמֶת (ʼĕmet, H571) — Noun meaning truth, faithfulness, reliability.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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