Is Saying "Amein" Pagan? A Detailed Study

Shalom,

Recently, a question has arisen among sincere believers: Is saying "Amein" (Amen) a sin? Are we unknowingly invoking a pagan deity or a curse?

This article is written to provide a thorough, Scripturally sound, and historically accurate answer, to restore peace and understanding to those who seek to honor Yahweh and Yahshua the Messiah in spirit and truth.

1. What Does "Amein" (Amen) Mean in Hebrew?

The Hebrew word is אמן (Amein), and it comes from the root אָמַן (aman), which means:

• To confirm

• To support

• To be faithful

• To believe

It expresses a strong affirmation of truth and certainty.

When believers say "Amein" after a prayer or a declaration, they are saying: "It is true," "so be it," "may it be established," or "I agree in faithfulness."

It is a holy, righteous word used all throughout the Scriptures. Here are a few examples:

• Deuteronomy 27:15-26 — After each curse for breaking the Torah, the people are commanded to say "Amein."

• Nehemiah 8:6 — When Ezra blessed Yahweh, "all the people answered, Amein, Amein."

• Psalm 89:52 — "Blessed be Yahweh forevermore. Amein and Amein."

• 1 Chronicles 16:36 — "Blessed be Yahweh Elohim of Yisrael forever and ever. And all the people said, Amein, and praised Yahweh."

Even Yahshua the Messiah often said "Amein, Amein, I say to you" (John 3:3), oftentimes translated as "Truly, Truly, I say unto you", emphasizing the absolute truth of His words.

2. What About the Egyptian "Amun"?

Some confusion has arisen because there was an Egyptian false deity named Amun (or Amon, Amen), worshiped as "the hidden one" in Thebes.

However, when we examine this carefully:

• The Egyptian Amun is pronounced ah-MOON (long "oo" like in "moon").

• The Hebrew Amein is pronounced ah-MEEN (like "green").

Though they may look similar in English spelling, they are pronounced differently and have completely different meanings in their original languages.

More importantly:

• The Hebrew word "Amein" existed long before the exposure of Yisrael to Egyptian deities on a large scale.

• "Amein" is rooted in the pure Hebrew language, not in Egyptian paganism.

• No prophet, priest, or righteous servant of Yahweh ever corrected or prohibited the use of "Amein" in Scripture.

If "Amein" were of pagan origin, Yahweh, who explicitly forbids blending His worship with that of the nations (Deuteronomy 12:30-32), would have warned against it. Instead, He commanded the use of "Amein" to affirm the truth of His covenant.

Thus, the claim that "Amein" is a secret pagan invocation is historically and Scripturally false.

3. Was "Amein" Added to the Scriptures Later?

Another claim often made is that "Amein" was added later to the Scriptures, implying that it was inserted by scribes under pagan influence.

However, when we examine the evidence:

• The Dead Sea Scrolls, which date over 2,000 years ago (before the common era), contain prayers and blessings that conclude with the word Amein in Hebrew.

• The Septuagint (Greek translation of the Tanakh around 250 BCE) preserves the Hebrew "Amein" transliterated into Greek as "Amen."

• Ancient Hebrew manuscripts of Deuteronomy, Psalms, and Nehemiah — long before Christianity or any Roman influence, include "Amein" authentically.

Thus, there is textual and archaeological proof that "Amein" was part of the inspired Scriptures from ancient times, not a later insertion.

Furthermore:

• Yahshua the Messiah, in His pure teachings, affirmed and used "Amein" without hesitation.

• If "Amein" were a corrupted or added word, Yahshua, who came to restore truth, would never have used it.

The evidence from the Dead Sea Scrolls, the earliest manuscripts, and the teachings of Yahshua Himself confirms that "Amein" is original and pure, not a later pagan addition.

4. What About the "Sumerian Curse" Claim?

Some have suggested that "Amen" is linked to a "Sumerian curse." This is completely false and unfounded.

• In Sumerian records, there is no "amen" or "amein" used as a curse formula.

• No credible linguistic, archaeological, or historical scholar supports this claim.

• It arises from confusion and false assumptions made by people who connect anything sounding similar in English to ancient paganism.

Scripture commands us to be careful researchers: "Prove all things; hold fast to that which is good." (1 Thessalonians 5:21)

We must not accuse righteous Scriptural words of being evil without strong evidence. Yahweh warns against adding to or twisting His Word (Deuteronomy 4:2).

5. Should We Stop Saying "Amein"?

Absolutely not. When we use it with the understanding of its true Hebrew meaning, it remains a powerful affirmation of Yahweh’s truth.

Some may choose to say:

• "Amein" (Hebrew pronunciation, ah-MEEN)

• "So be it"

• "It is established"

But there is no sin or hidden paganism in the Scriptural use of "Amein."

In fact, abandoning "Amein" because of false accusations could be a greater harm, leading people to forsake a pure word that Yahweh intended for His people to use to confirm His truth.

6. Closing Encouragement

Beloved ones, we must walk carefully but not fearfully. Yahweh calls us to be wise, grounded, and faithful, not driven by rumors or false accusations.

The use of Amein is:

• Biblical (commanded and modeled in Torah and the Writings)

• Confirmed by Yahshua the Messiah (who spoke it often)

• Supported by ancient manuscripts (Dead Sea Scrolls, Septuagint, early Hebrew texts)

Let us continue to seek Yahweh with pure hearts, guarding what He has given and restoring what has been lost, while testing everything by His Word, not by hearsay.

"Amein, Amein, I say to you, unless a man is born from above, he is not able to see the reign of Elohim." — Yahshua the Messiah, John 3:3

May Yahweh bless you and keep you. May the wisdom and truth of Yahshua the Messiah be your guide. Amein and Amein!

By: Carlos Jimenez