The Hebrew verb הֶאֱמִין (from the root א-מ-ן) is the standard verb for expressing faith, belief, and trust in biblical Hebrew. It appears most frequently in the Hiphil binyan, the causative stem, and literally means “to cause to be firm” or “to cause to trust.” This fits well with the theological context in which the verb often appears—most notably in expressions of trusting in God.
For example, in Genesis 15:6, it says of Avram: וְהֶאֱמִן בַּיהוָה — “And he believed in the LORD,” a foundational verse for both Jewish and Christian theology.
Hiphil Binyan Conjugation of הֶאֱמִין
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 |
Present (Participle) Tense
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| 1st person singular | מַאֲמִין |
| 2nd person masculine singular | מַאֲמִין |
| 2nd person feminine singular | מַאֲמִינָה |
| 3rd person masculine singular | מַאֲמִין |
| 3rd person feminine singular | מַאֲמִינָה |
| 1st person plural | מַאֲמִינִים |
| 2nd person masculine plural | מַאֲמִינִים |
| 2nd person feminine plural | מַאֲמִינוֹת |
| 3rd person plural | מַאֲמִינִים |
Future (Imperfect) Tense
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| 1st person singular | אַאֲמִין |
| 2nd person masculine singular | תַּאֲמִין |
| 2nd person feminine singular | תַּאֲמִינִי |
| 3rd person masculine singular | יַאֲמִין |
| 3rd person feminine singular | תַּאֲמִין |
| 1st person plural | נַאֲמִין |
| 2nd person masculine plural | תַּאֲמִינוּ |
| 2nd person feminine plural | תַּאֲמֵינָה |
| 3rd person plural | יַאֲמִינוּ |
Imperative Mood
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| 2nd person masculine singular | הֶאֱמֵן |
| 2nd person feminine singular | הֶאֱמִינִי |
| 2nd person masculine plural | הֶאֱמִינוּ |
| 2nd person feminine plural | הֶאֱמֵינָה |
Usage in the Hebrew Bible
The verb הֶאֱמִין is often used in theological contexts related to faith in God, trust in divine promises, or belief in prophetic words. A few prominent examples:
- Genesis 15:6 – וְהֶאֱמִן בַּיהוָה וַיַּחְשְׁבֶהָ לּוֹ צְדָקָה
“And he believed in the LORD, and He reckoned it to him as righteousness.” - Exodus 14:31 – וַיַּאֲמִינוּ בַּיהוָה וּבְמֹשֶׁה עַבְדּוֹ
“And they believed in the LORD and in Moshe His servant.” - Isaiah 53:1 – מִי הֶאֱמִין לִשְׁמֻעָתֵנוּ
“Who has believed our report?”
Summary
The verb הֶאֱמִין is the primary biblical Hebrew word for expressing belief, trust, and faith, especially in the Hiphil binyan. Its use in Scripture underscores a relationship of confidence in God’s promises and character. Knowing how to conjugate and recognize this verb is essential for understanding theological expressions of faith throughout the Hebrew Bible.
