אֲמָנָה
something fixed, i.e. a covenant. an allowance
Definition
The Hebrew noun אֲמָנָה (ʼămânâh) refers to something that is fixed, established, or reliable. Its primary meaning is a firm agreement or covenant, as seen in Nehemiah 9:38, where it describes the 'sure covenant' the people made with God. It can also denote a fixed, regular allowance or portion, as in Nehemiah 11:23, which mentions a 'certain portion' from the king for the singers. Thus, the word carries the dual sense of a binding, reliable pact and a guaranteed, steady provision.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only twice in the Old Testament, both times in the book of Nehemiah. In Nehemiah 9:38, it appears in a covenantal context, describing the firm agreement the people sealed. In Nehemiah 11:23, it is used administratively, referring to a fixed royal stipend allocated for the temple singers. The usage pattern shows it applies to both solemn, relational commitments and concrete, reliable provisions.
Etymology
אֲמָנָה is the feminine form of the root אָמֵן (ʼāmēn, H543), meaning 'to be firm, faithful, or sure.' This root is familiar from the liturgical 'amen.' The noun form inherits this core idea of firmness and reliability, developing into terms for a covenant and a fixed allowance.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it connects the concept of God's faithfulness to human response. The 'sure covenant' in Nehemiah 9:38 reflects a human commitment made in response to God's prior faithfulness, grounded in the reliability (ʼāmēn) of God's character. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches reading by highlighting how biblical covenants and provisions are built on a foundation of divine and human fidelity.
In its ancient Near Eastern context, a 'covenant' (אֲמָנָה) was a solemn, binding pact, often ratified with oaths. The 'fixed portion' reflects a royal administrative practice, ensuring the temple's liturgical functions were maintained. Both uses assume a cultural value on formal, reliable agreements and systematic support for religious institutions.
בְּרִית (bĕrîyt, H1285) — The most common word for 'covenant'; a broader treaty or pact, whereas אֲמָנָה emphasizes the firm, reliable nature of the agreement. חֹק (ḥōq, H2706) — A statute or prescribed portion; focuses on something decreed or appointed, while אֲמָנָה emphasizes its fixed, reliable quality.
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.
Full methodology & sources →