Lexical Summary aman: To confirm, support, uphold, believe, be faithful Original Word: אָמַן Strong's Exhaustive Concordance turn to the right Denominative from yamiyn; to take the right hand road -- turn to the right. See 'aman. see HEBREW yamiyn see HEBREW 'aman NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originthe same as yaman, q.v. Brown-Driver-Briggs [אָמֵץ] verb be stout, strong, bold, alert (according to LagBN 28 f. from earlier אָמֹץ compare אֹמֶץ) — Qal. Perfect 3 plural אָֽמְצוּ 2 Samuel 22:18 2t.; Imperfect יֶאֱמָ֑ץ Genesis 25:23; וַיֶּאֶמְצוּ2Chronicles 13:18; Imperative אֱמַץ Joshua 1:7; 1 Chronicles 28:20; אֱמַ֑ץ Joshua 1:6; אֱמָ֑ץ Deuteronomy 31:7 3t.; אִמְצוּ Deuteronomy 31:6 2t. — 1 be strong, of a people Genesis 25:23 (J); of personal enemies 2 Samuel 22:18 = Psalm 18:18; Psalm 142:7 (all followed by מִן of comparison); also (without מן) prevail2Chronicles 13:18. 2 Imperative be bold (always "" חֲזַק, חִזְקוּ), Deuteronomy 31:7,23; Joshua 1:6,7,18; ("" id. + אַלתִּֿירְאוּ וְאַלתַּֿעַרְצוּ) Deuteronomy 31:6; "" id. + אַלתַּֿעֲרֹץ וְאַל תֵּחָת) Joshua 1:9; ("" id. + אַל תִּירְאוּ וְאַל תֵּחָ֑תּוּ) Joshua 10:25; 1 Chronicles 22:13; 1 Chronicles 28:20; 2Chronicles 32:7. Pi`el Perfect אִמֵּץ Deuteronomy 2:30 etc.; Imperfect יְאַמֵּץ Amos 2:14 etc.; וַיְאַמֶּץלֿוֺ Isaiah 44:14; 3feminine singular suffix 3 masculine singular תְּאַמְּצֶנּוּ Psalm 89:22; 1singular suffix אֲאַמִּצְכֶם Job 16:5 etc.; Imperative אַמֵּץ Nahum 2:2; אַמֵּ֑צוּ Isaiah 35:3; אַמְּצֵ֑הוּ Deuteronomy 3:28; Infinitive suffix אַמְּצוֺ Proverbs 8:28; Participle מְאַמֶּץֿ Proverbs 24:5; 1 make firm, strengthen, followed by accusative, of giving clouds their place Proverbs 8:28 (subject ׳י); of repairing temple 2 Chronicles 24:13; of physical vigour Proverbs 31:17 ׳חָֽגְרָה בְעוֺז מָתְנֶי֑הָ וַתְּא זְרוֺעֶֹתיהָ ׃ (subject אֵשֶׁת חַיִל); of strength for war כֹּחַ ׳א Nahum 2:2 ("" חִזֵּק מָתְנַיִם Amos 2:14 (subject חָזָק); compare Proverbs 24:5; of royal power 2Chronicles 11:17 "" חִזֵּק; compare בִּרְכַּיִם כּשְׁלוֺת ׳א Isaiah 35:3; כֹּרְעוֺת ׳בּ ׳א Job 4:4 (both "" חִזֵּק יָדַיִם רָפוֺת fig, of encouragement; so ׳א alone Deuteronomy 3:28 ("" חִזֵּק) Job 16:5 ("" חשׂך q. v.); Psalm 89:22 (subject ׳זְרוֺעַ י); of support Isaiah 41:10 (subject ׳י; "" עזר, תמך; — De Che below 2). 2 assure, secure for one's self, always followed by ל + suffix; of carpenter appropriating tree Isaiah 44:14; compare of ׳י appropriating Israel under figure of bough. Psalm 80:16; under figure of chosen man Psalm 80:18. 3 followed by לֵבָב harden, make obstinate Deuteronomy 2:30 (subject ׳י; "" הִקְשָׁה רוּחוֺ) Deuteronomy 15:7 (of unkind man); 2 Chronicles 36:13 (of king Zedekiah, "" הִקְשָׁה אֶתעָֿדְמּוֺ). Hithpa`el Perfect הִתְאַמֵּץ 1 Kings 12:18 2Chronicles 10:18; Imperfect וַיִּתְאַמְּצוּ2Chronicles 13:7; Participle מִתְאַמֶּצֶת Ruth 1:18; 1 strengthen oneself, of con-spirators 2 Chronicles 13:7 (followed by עַל). 2 confirm oneself in a, purpose, be determined Ruth 1:18 (followed by ל + Infinitive) 3 make oneself alert, make haste 1 Kings 12:18 2Chronicles 10:18 (followed by ל + Infinitive) Hiph`il Imperfect Jussive exhibit strength, be strong וְיַאֲמֵץ, לִבֶּ֑ךָ ׳חֲזַק ויא Psalm 27:14, so also Psalm 31:25. ימן (√ of following; found in derivatives in all cognates, but original meaning dubious; Thes and others compare אמן confirm, whenceright hand as the stronger; others from use of right hand in confirming by an oath). II. [יָמַן] verb denominative Hiph`il go to or choose the right, use the right hand; — Imperfect1singular coh. יְאֵימִ֫נָה Genesis 13:10 (J) then I will go to the right (opposed to וְאַשְׂמְאִ֫ילָה); 2 masculine plural תַּאֲמִינוּ Isaiah 30:21, figurative of turning aside from right course of life ("" תַּשְׂמְאִילוּ); Infinitive construct in phrase אִםאִֿשׁ לְהֵמִין וּלְהַשְׂמִיל מִכֹּל אֲשֶׁר דִּבֶּר אֲדֹנִי הַמֶּלֶךְ 2 Samuel 14:19 it is surely impossible to turn the right or to the left, etc.; Imperative feminine singular הֵימִ֫ינִי Ezekiel 21:21 go to the right! (opposed to הַשְׂמִ֫ילִי); Participle plural use the right hand: מַיְמִינִים וּמִשְׂמִאלִים בָּאֲבָנִים וּבַחִצִּים בַּקָּ֑שֶׁת 1 Chronicles 12:2 using the right hand and the left hand with stones and with arrows in the bow (i.e. in throwing and shooting). Topical Lexicon Entry Overview A single use of the verb אָמַן (Strong’s Hebrew 541) appears in Isaiah 30:21, where it describes “turning to the right.” Though formally distinct from the better-known forms of the same root that speak of believing, supporting, nursing, or crafting, it nevertheless shares the larger semantic field of steadiness and reliability that pervades the אמן family of words. This lone occurrence serves as a finely-cut gem set within Isaiah’s larger prophetic call to trust the Lord’s guidance. Canonical Setting Isaiah 30 addresses Judah’s temptation to rely on Egypt rather than on the Lord. The prophet warns of judgment yet promises gracious restoration. In that context the Spirit speaks: “And whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it’” (Isaiah 30:21). The verb translated “turn to the right” is אָמַן. Its counterpart for “turn to the left” is from a different root, yet together they form a merism: every possible deviation from life’s straight path is covered, and in every deviation God’s guiding word remains trustworthy. Theological Themes 1. Reliability of Divine Guidance 2. Covenant Grace in the Midst of Rebellion 3. Inner Assurance and External Action Historical Implications • Eighth-century Judah stood at the geopolitical crossroads of Assyria and Egypt. Turning “right” or “left” was more than a metaphor; it signified political alliances that revealed spiritual loyalties. Isaiah’s imagery summons the nation back to covenant trust rather than opportunistic diplomacy. Christological Significance • Revelation 3:14 names Jesus “the Amen,” the definitive embodiment of divine reliability. The solitary Old Testament use of אָמַן in the sense of directional turning subtly anticipates the One who later declares, “I am the way” (John 14:6). The faithful are called to align each right-hand or left-hand decision with Him. Practical Ministry Applications 1. Spiritual Direction 2. Discipleship and Formation 3. Crisis Counseling Liturgical and Devotional Uses • The verse lends itself to calls to worship that invite congregations to still their hearts before Scripture’s guidance. Eschatological Outlook • Isaiah foresees a day when teachers “will hide no more” (Isaiah 30:20). The full clarity of divine direction culminates when “we will see Him as He is” (1 John 3:2). The fleeting earthly turns will resolve into the straight path of eternal fellowship. Summary Though appearing only once, אָמַן (Strong’s 541) contributes a nuanced stroke to the Scriptural portrait of God’s unwavering faithfulness. Its placement in Isaiah 30:21 intertwines themes of guidance, covenant grace, and responsive obedience, inviting every generation to trust the voice that steadies each step on the journey of faith. Forms and Transliterations תַאֲמִ֖ינוּ תאמינו ṯa’ămînū ṯa·’ă·mî·nū taaMinuLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Isaiah 30:21 HEB: ב֔וֹ כִּ֥י תַאֲמִ֖ינוּ וְכִ֥י תַשְׂמְאִֽילוּ׃ KJV: walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left. INT: walk whenever hand whenever to the left 1 Occurrence |
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