אָמֵן signifies true, faithful, certain. It is made use of likewise to affirm anything, and was a form of affirmation used often by our Saviour: Amen, Amen, γενναῖ γενναῖ, i.e. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Lastly, It is understood as expressing a wish; as Amen, So be it (Num. v. 22.), or an affirmation, Amen, yes I believe it, 1 Cor. xiv. 16. The Hebrews end the five books of Psalms, according to their way of distributing them, with the words Amen, Amen; which the Septuagint have translated ἀμήν, ἀμήν; and the Latins, Fiat, fiat. The Greek and Latin churches have preferred this word in their prayers, as well as alleluia and hallelujah; because they observed more energy in them than in any terms which they could use in their own languages. At the conclusion of the public prayers, the people answered with a loud voice, Amen; and St Jerome says, that at Rome, when the people answered Amen, the sound of their voices was like a clap of thunder: In similitudine cælestis tonitruï Amen resonat. The Jews assert, that the gates of heaven are opened to him who answers Amen with all his might.