אֲמָנָה
𐤀𐤌𐤍𐤄
Amanah
H549 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Proper noun: A geographical feature, specifically a mountain or river region referenced in biblical texts, associated with the area near Damascus. Likely denotes a prominent natural landmark, such as a peak or a source of water, integral to regional identity and boundaries in the ancient Levant. The name also may carry overtones of reliability or firmness due to its root associations.
Semantic Range
proper name of a mountain or river-region, likely 'steadfast place'; by extension, anything characterized as steady, enduring (in poetic or symbolic usage)
Root / Etymology
Derived from the root אמן (ʼ-m-n), which fundamentally means 'to be firm, trustworthy, permanent.' The toponym אֲמָנָה appears to be a noun formation perhaps originally denoting something 'firm' or 'constant,' possibly referencing a steadfast natural feature (e.g., mountain, river).
Historical & Contextual Notes
The term אֲמָנָה occurs at least in Song of Songs 4:8 ("from the top of Amana"), and possibly in extrabiblical sources. Its identification with physical landmarks varies—in historical and modern scholarship, it is sometimes identified as the Amana (or Abana/Barada) river, sometimes as a mountain peak in the Anti-Lebanon range north of Damascus. In biblical usage, it likely gave definition to a northern boundary and would have held geographic and possibly symbolic significance for Israelite territorial consciousness. Modern translations sometimes conflate or obscure distinctions between מולכין river names (like Abana), so nuance may be lost. Not a common noun; usage as a proper noun is geographically and temporally specific.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
the same as אֲמָנָה; Amanah, a mountain near Damascus; Amana.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been recorded for this word yet.
Root Family
אמן (Heyman) — to support, confirm, be faithful, trust
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H1968 | הֵימָן | Heman |
| H525 | אָמוֹן | Ammon (Kin-People) |
| H529 | אֵמוּן | steadfast trustworthiness |
| H530 | אֱמוּנָה | in steadfastness |
| H532 | אָמִי | my people |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H549-01 |
אֲמָנָ֨ה | amanah | HNp |
Amana | Steadfast-Place | Amanah | 2 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H549-01 |
2 Kings 5:12 | אֲמָנָ֨ה | amanah | HNp |
and Pharpar | Steadfast-Place | Amanah |
H549-01 |
Song of Songs 4:8 | אֲמָנָ֗ה | amanah | HNp |
Amana | Steadfast-Place | Amanah |