Verily, Verity
The Meaning of Verily and Verity
In biblical translation, 'verily' serves as a corroborative adverb meaning 'truly,' 'certainly,' or 'indeed.' It translates various Hebrew and Greek words that add emphatic weight to a statement. The related term 'verity' refers to truth itself—the quality of being in accordance with fact or reality. In Scripture, both concepts point toward divine reliability and the absolute truthfulness of God's character and Word.
Verily in the Old Testament
Several Hebrew terms are rendered 'verily' in English translations. The word 'abhal' (truly) appears in narratives like Genesis 42:21, where Joseph's brothers acknowledge their guilt. The particle 'akh' (only, surely) functions as an emphatic marker in passages such as Psalm 66:19 ('But verily God hath heard me') and Isaiah 45:15 ('Verily thou art a God that hidest thyself'). These uses underscore the certainty of the speaker's claim, often in contexts of confession, praise, or theological declaration. Translation choices sometimes vary: where the KJV reads 'verily thou shalt be fed' in Psalm 37:3 (translating 'emunah, 'faithfulness'), modern versions like the ESV render it 'dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness.'
The Transformative 'Amen' of Jesus
The most significant use of 'verily' occurs in the Gospels through Jesus' distinctive double 'amen' sayings. The Greek 'amēn' (from Hebrew 'āmēn, meaning 'firm,' 'true,' 'so be it') traditionally concluded prayers or affirmed others' words. Jesus uniquely prefaced his own authoritative teachings with 'Amen, I say to you' (e.g., Matthew 5:18, 26; Mark 3:28). In John's Gospel, this becomes a doubled formula: 'Amen, amen, I say to you' (John 1:51; 3:3, 5, 11), intensifying the solemn truth claim. These 'verily' statements introduce core teachings about the kingdom, salvation, and Jesus' identity, marking them as divine truth directly from the Son of God.
Verity as Divine Truth
The term 'verity' appears less frequently but carries substantial theological weight. It translates Hebrew 'emeth (truth, faithfulness) in Psalm 111:7: 'The works of his hands are verity and judgment' (KJV), which modern versions render as 'truth and justice' (ESV). Here, God's creative and providential works manifest His trustworthy character. In the New Testament, 'verity' translates Greek 'alētheia' (truth, reality) in 1 Timothy 2:7, where Paul describes his apostleship as being 'a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity' (KJV), updated to 'faith and truth' in contemporary translations. Verity thus describes the objective reality and steadfastness of God's nature and promises.
Translation and Interpretation Challenges
Modern translations have refined the rendering of these terms for clarity. The Revised Standard Version and its successors often replace the archaic 'verily' with 'truly,' 'surely,' or 'indeed' (e.g., Job 19:13; Mark 9:12; Romans 2:25; Hebrews 3:5). Conversely, they sometimes insert 'verily/truly' where the KJV used other terms for emphasis, such as in Matthew 13:23 or Philippians 3:8. These decisions reflect ongoing efforts to convey the original emphatic force to contemporary readers while maintaining accuracy.
Theological Significance for Readers Today
The biblical concepts behind 'verily' and 'verity' assure believers of God's utter reliability. When Jesus says 'verily,' he invites complete trust in his words as divine revelation. The 'verity' of God's works and character means Christians can build their lives upon the certainty of His promises. In a world of shifting truths, these terms anchor faith in the objective reality of who God is and what He has said—truth that is firm, faithful, and worthy of our 'amen.'
Biblical Context
The term 'verily' appears throughout Scripture as an emphatic marker of truth. In the Old Testament, it translates Hebrew words like 'abhal' and 'akh' in poetic and prophetic books (Genesis, Psalms, Isaiah). Its most prominent use is in the Gospels, where Jesus prefaces authoritative teachings with 'Amen' ('Verily') or 'Amen, amen' ('Verily, verily'). 'Verity' appears in Psalms describing God's works (Psalm 111:7) and in Pauline epistles concerning apostolic teaching (1 Timothy 2:7). These terms function to underscore divine reliability and the certainty of revelation.
Theological Significance
These concepts teach that God's character is fundamentally truthful and reliable. Jesus' use of 'verily' asserts his divine authority and the absolute truth of his teachings about the Kingdom, salvation, and his identity. The 'verity' of God's works means creation and providence manifest His faithful nature. Together, they provide a foundation for faith: believers can trust completely in God's promises and in Christ's words, which demand a response of belief and obedience. They contrast human uncertainty with divine certainty.
Historical Background
The Hebrew 'āmēn' originated as a response formula in worship and legal contexts, meaning 'so be it' or 'truly.' By the Second Temple period, it was a standard congregational response to prayers and blessings. Jesus' innovative use—placing 'amen' at the beginning of his own statements—was unprecedented in recorded Jewish teaching. This rhetorical shift claimed extraordinary personal authority. The Greek 'alētheia' (truth, verity) in Hellenistic thought conveyed objective reality as opposed to mere appearance, which New Testament writers appropriated to describe the ultimate reality found in God and Christ.