The root א-מ-ן (Aleph–Mem–Nun) in Hebrew is one of the most theologically rich and versatile roots in the Bible. From this root come several related verbs and nouns associated with ideas of faith, firmness, trustworthiness, and training. It lies behind well-known words like אָמֵן (“amen”) and אֱמוּנָה (“faith, faithfulness”).
This root appears in multiple binyanim, each with distinct shades of meaning:
- Qal (rare): to be firm, confirmed
- Niphal: to be faithful, to be established
- Piel: to train, to bring up (especially a child)
- Hiphil: to believe, to trust, to regard as true
Below are the conjugation tables for the most prominent forms: Niphal, Piel, and Hiphil.
Niphal Binyan: To Be Faithful / Established
Past (Perfect) Tense
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| 1st person singular | נֶאֱמַנְתִּי |
| 2nd person masculine singular | נֶאֱמַנְתָּ |
| 2nd person feminine singular | נֶאֱמַנְתְּ |
| 3rd person masculine singular | נֶאֱמַן |
| 3rd person feminine singular | נֶאֱמְנָה |
| 1st person plural | נֶאֱמַנּוּ |
| 2nd person masculine plural | נֶאֱמַנְתֶּם |
| 2nd person feminine plural | נֶאֱמַנְתֶּן |
| 3rd person plural | נֶאֱמְנוּ |
Present (Participle)
| Gender/Number | Form |
|---|---|
| Masculine singular | נֶאֱמָן |
| Feminine singular | נֶאֱמֶנֶת |
| Masculine plural | נֶאֱמָנִים |
| Feminine plural | נֶאֱמָנוֹת |
Piel Binyan: To Train / Raise
This form is used especially in post-biblical and later biblical texts in the context of education or child-rearing.
Past (Perfect) Tense
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| 1st person singular | אִימַנְתִּי |
| 2nd person masculine singular | אִימַנְתָּ |
| 2nd person feminine singular | אִימַנְתְּ |
| 3rd person masculine singular | אִימֵן |
| 3rd person feminine singular | אִימְנָה |
| 1st person plural | אִימַנּוּ |
| 2nd person masculine plural | אִימַנְתֶּם |
| 2nd person feminine plural | אִימַנְתֶּן |
| 3rd person plural | אִימְנוּ |
Hiphil Binyan: To Believe / To Trust
This is the most common form of the root א-מ-ן in the Bible when expressing theological faith or trust.
Past (Perfect) Tense
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| 1st person singular | הֶאֱמַנְתִּי |
| 2nd person masculine singular | הֶאֱמַנְתָּ |
| 2nd person feminine singular | הֶאֱמַנְתְּ |
| 3rd person masculine singular | הֶאֱמִין |
| 3rd person feminine singular | הֶאֱמִינָה |
| 1st person plural | הֶאֱמַנּוּ |
| 2nd person masculine plural | הֶאֱמַנְתֶּם |
| 2nd person feminine plural | הֶאֱמַנְתֶּן |
| 3rd person plural | הֶאֱמִינוּ |
Summary
The Hebrew root א-מ-ן generates a range of meanings from “faith” to “training” to “confirmation.” Its usage across Niphal, Piel, and Hiphil binyanim reflects both passive states (being faithful or trustworthy), intensive action (raising or fostering), and causative beliefs (causing someone to believe or trust). This root is central to Hebrew theology and continues to impact Jewish and Christian traditions through the word אָמֵן, affirming truth and conviction.
