As in a-ha...
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The entire Spanish language gets by on a total of five vowel sounds. English, on the other hand, has nineteen unique vowel sounds and a total of 44 phonemes. An SNL skit or Key & Peele sketch could be crafted in trying to explain English vowel sounds to native Spanish speakers using the words:
dough
bough
cough
(th)rough
The letter A has seven unique sounds in spoken English.
But the letter in focus (and aren’t we glad we went with the long “o” in that one) here is the one at the very beginning of the alphabet. The first one.
It’s the letter people want to see on their test papers.
It’s the letter that represents the game we want our team to bring.
It’s how we begin our ABC’s.
It’s so first it’s the first letter in alpha, which itself is first.
It is also the first letter in the last word of many Judeo-Christian prayers and rites. Amen.
The word amen , according to the Oxford English Dictionary, comes from the Hebrew word for truth, certainty and as an expression of agreement or ratification. It is used both religiously and colloquially to give assent to what has just been stated.
Those of us who live from sea to shining sea most typically use the long “ay” sound in pronouncing amen. But, as far as I have researched, Americans are the only people who commonly pronounce the word that way. We say ay-men, they say ah-men. Which leads us to…
But let’s, in fact, not call the whole thing off. Let’s discuss it a bit.
Allow me to aver that, in the context of assenting to what has been stated by the pastor, the priest, the rabbi, ah- might just be better than ay-. I think the long A short sheets the message and misses an opportunity to convey in our response that we are beholding something greater than us. Something beyond straight A’s.
In a matter almost akin to onomatopoeia, ah-men seems to more perfectly represent, tonally, where we the respondents are, relative to the message – not members of a legislature, but creatures of God seeking forward within a faith experience. Our place is not to ratify what has been communicated to us, but rather to be inspired by it. Not just to convey an understanding of it, but to acknowledge that we perhaps cannot understand it fully, even if it is a rote prayer that we have recited innumerable times.
As such, it sounds consonant if there is a component of “A-ha” in the response; if it conveys a recognition of a continued calling forward to something that will always be beyond us. Less of a thumbs up and more of a palms open. Amen may come at the conclusion of something we have heard, but we have, in the way we say it, the opportunity to convey that it is not our conclusion. Rather, it is an acknowledgement that we must continue forward.
Interesting thoughts. I love the phrase, “less of a thumbs up and more of a palms open”.
One note for your intro. Amen is also used in the Muslim faith:
“ʾĀmīn (Arabic: آمين) is the Arabic form of Amen. In Islam, it is used with the same meaning as in Judaism and Christianity; when concluding a prayer, especially after a supplication (du’a) or reciting the first surah Al Fatiha of the Qur’an, as in prayer (salat), and as an assent to the prayers of others.”
So many good thoughts (hear) and I’m looking forward to re-reading again! The one thought that maybe did get “away” might just be the “sometimes Y” vowel!
I think a great many main-line Protestants say “Ah-men.” For whatever it’s worth. Great article. Enjoyed it. amen!
Tough to know precisely how to comment…
Amen is from the Hebrew, and the Jewish and Assyrian folks around me pronounce it “ah-meen” for what’s that’s worth.
I would disagree with the concept that the point of hearing that Word of God is to inspire us. The Word of God tells us what it is for….
2 Timothy 3:16–17 (NASB): All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17 that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.
The expression “man of God” referring to the obedient pastor of God [in this case Timothy himself], one who has believed in the name of the lord Jesus Christ and has received everlasting life not depending on any sacrament or future obedience.
John 1:12–13 (NASB): 12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, 13 who were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
So while humans are certainly the creatures of God, the Bible draws very clearly boundaries between a “child of God,” “disciple of Christ” [a child who lives in obedience], “man of God” [pastor or elder, strictly men], or “son of God [overcoming disciple, or occasionally an angel]
And while I agree with the vague concept that we ought to move towards the Lord when we hear the phrase, it would be unwise to simply use the word “amen” as some type of alert that the Word of God has been given or interpreted clearly. Billions of theologically bungled prayers and homilies have closed with “amen.”
Instead of focusing on that word, instead focus on the direct call of the Word to study IT.
2 Timothy 2:15 (NASB): 15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the word of truth.
And lastly, if you do not have the assurance of spending eternity with Christ, no amount of “Amens” will get you there.
But this will.
Acts 16:29–31 (NASB): Paul and Silas, 30 and after he brought them out, he asked them saying, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you shall be saved.
No strings attached.