Amen is a loanword from Hebrew passed directly into Greek, Latin, and virtually every language the Bible has entered — Spanish 'amen,' French 'amen,' German 'amen.' In the Old Testament it functions as a congregational response ratifying oaths and blessings (Deut 27:15-26). The New Testament preserves this liturgical use at the close of doxologies and prayers (Rom 1:25; 1 Cor 14:16), but Jesus introduces a striking new pattern: 'Amen, I say to you' (Matt 5:18, 26; John's double 'amen, amen'), where it prefaces rather than confirms, investing his words with divine authority. All 147 occurrences share the core meaning of solemn affirmation.