אֶמֶת
𐤀𐤌𐤕
ʼemeth
H571 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Fundamental reliability, stability, or constancy in character, facts, or assertions; the quality of being dependable or in accordance with what is real. The word encompasses a sense of integrity, faithfulness, and alignment with objective or factual reality, often used both of personal traits (faithfulness, reliability), and of spoken words or statements (truth, factuality).
Semantic Range
truth, factuality, reliability, faithfulness, stability, dependability, integrity, honesty, accuracy, steadfastness
Root / Etymology
From the root אמן (ʼ-m-n), which in verb form means 'to confirm, support, be firm, trust.' אֶמֶת (ʼemeth) is a feminine noun formed from this root, expressing the quality or state of being firm, steady, or reliable. The root meaning ('to be firm, reliable') supports the noun's sense of 'truth' as that which is solid, enduring, and dependable.
Historical & Contextual Notes
אֶמֶת appears throughout the Hebrew Bible in legal, interpersonal, and theological contexts. In early Israelite legal settings, it denotes factual accuracy and the expectation of reliable testimony. In wisdom literature and prophetic texts, it is often paired with חֶסֶד (ḥesed, 'steadfast love') or צֶדֶק (ṣedeq, 'righteousness'), highlighting communal and divine faithfulness rather than abstract truth. The term does not only denote propositional or logical truth but also faithfulness as a personal or communal virtue. English 'truth' captures much, but may overlook shades of constancy and reliability inherent in אֶמֶת. In later periods, the word becomes central in descriptions of the character of the deity of Israel (e.g., 'God of truth'; Isa 65:16), but without later philosophical or strictly ethical overtones. Related to, but distinct from, words like נֶאֱמָן (ne'eman, 'faithful') and כֵּן (ken, 'upright, correct'), which also imply firmness or correctness but with different emphases and contexts.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
contracted from אָמַן; stability; (figuratively) certainty, truth, trustworthiness; assured(-ly), establishment, faithful, right, sure, true (-ly, -th), verity.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
אמן (ʾ-m-n) — firmness, stability, faithfulness, reliability
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H1968 | הֵימָן | Heman |
| H4191 | מוּת | your reliability |
| H529 | אֵמוּן | steadfast trustworthiness |
| H530 | אֱמוּנָה | in steadfastness |
| H539 | אָמַן | I will regard as firm |
Word Forms
12 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H571-05 |
אֱמֶ֔ת | emet | HNcfsa |
truth | firm reliability | 56 |
H571-11 |
וֶֽ/אֱמֶ֛ת | veemet | HC/Ncfsa |
and truth | and reliability | 25 |
H571-04 |
בֶּ/אֱמֶ֣ת | beemet | HR/Ncfsa |
in truth | in reliability | 18 |
H571-01 |
אֲמִתֶּֽ/ךָ | amitekha | HNcfsc/Sp2ms |
your faithfulness | your steadfast reliability | 8 |
H571-03 |
בַּ/אֲמִתֶּֽ/ךָ | baamitekha | HR/Ncfsc/Sp2ms |
in your truth | in your faithfulness | 4 |
H571-09 |
בַ/אֲמִתֶּ֨/ךָ | vaamitekha | HR/Ncfsc/Sp2ms |
and Your faithfulness | your steadfast reliability | 4 |
H571-06 |
הָ֣/אֱמֶ֔ת | haemet | HTd/Ncfsa |
truth | the reliability | 4 |
H571-12 |
וְ/הָ/אֱמֶ֥ת | vehaemet | HC/Td/Ncfsa |
and the truth | and the reliability | 3 |
H571-10 |
וַ/אֲמִתּ֖/וֹ | vaamito | HC/Ncfsc/Sp3ms |
and His truth | and his faithfulness | 2 |
H571-02 |
אֲמִתּֽ/וֹ | amito | HNcfsc/Sp3ms |
his faithfulness | his reliability | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
127 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H571-10 |
Genesis 24:27 | וַ/אֲמִתּ֖/וֹ | vaamito | HC/Ncfsc/Sp3ms |
and His truth | and his faithfulness |
H571-05 |
Genesis 24:48 | אֱמֶ֔ת | emet | HNcfsa |
of truth | firm reliability |
H571-11 |
Genesis 24:49 | וֶֽ/אֱמֶ֛ת | veemet | HC/Ncfsa |
and truly | and reliability |
H571-06 |
Genesis 32:11 | הָ֣/אֱמֶ֔ת | haemet | HTd/Ncfsa |
the truth | the reliability |
H571-06 |
Genesis 42:16 | הַֽ/אֱמֶ֖ת | haemet | HTi/Ncfsa |
truth | the reliability |
H571-11 |
Genesis 47:29 | וֶ/אֱמֶ֔ת | veemet | HC/Ncfsa |
and truly | and reliability |
H571-05 |
Exodus 18:21 | אֱמֶ֖ת | emet | HNcfsa |
truth | firm reliability |
H571-11 |
Exodus 34:6 | וֶ/אֱמֶֽת | veemet | HC/Ncfsa |
and truth | and reliability |
H571-05 |
Deuteronomy 13:15 | אֱמֶת֙ | emet | HNcfsa |
true | firm reliability |
H571-05 |
Deuteronomy 17:4 | אֱמֶת֙ | emet | HNcfsa |
truth | firm reliability |