H0403 H0403
Surely, truly, indeed (emphatic asseveration); occasionally adversative: but, nevertheless, however.
The adverb 'aken functions as a strong asseverative particle — more forceful than the simpler 'akh — typically launching a declaration of surprised realization or solemn affirmation. Jacob's exclamation at Bethel, 'Surely the LORD is in this place!' (Gen 28:16), sets the tone: 'aken signals the speaker's sudden recognition of a truth previously unperceived. Isaiah deploys it for theological paradox — 'Surely You are a God who hides Himself' (Isa 45:15) and 'Surely he bore our griefs' (Isa 53:4). In two instances (Ps 82:7; Zeph 3:7) the particle pivots to an adversative sense, introducing a counter-expectation: 'but/nevertheless.' Spanish distinguishes 'ciertamente/verdaderamente' from 'sin embargo/pero,' and German shifts from 'fürwahr/gewiss' to 'nevertheless.'
Senses
1. surely, certainly, indeed (asseverative) — An emphatic asseverative particle meaning 'surely, certainly, indeed, truly,' affirming the reality or truth of a statement with strong conviction. This dominant sense covers sixteen of eighteen occurrences and often marks a moment of revelation or solemn declaration. Jacob awakens and says 'Surely the LORD is in this place' (Gen 28:16); Moses realizes 'Surely the matter is known' (Exod 2:14); Isaiah proclaims 'Surely he bore our griefs' (Isa 53:4). Spanish 'ciertamente/verdaderamente,' French 'certes/en vérité,' and German 'fürwahr/gewiss' all convey the emphatic, truth-affirming force. 16×
AR["بَلْ", "حَقًّا", "حَقّاً", "لَكِنْ"]·ben["অবশ্য", "অবশ্যই", "তবুও", "নিশ্চয়", "নিশ্চয়ই", "নিশ্চিত", "সত্যই", "সত্যি", "সত্যিই"]·DE["[אכן]", "fuerwahr", "gewiss", "wahrlich"]·EN["But-surely", "Surely", "surely"]·FR["certainement", "certes", "en-vérité", "אכן"]·heb["אכן"]·HI["निश्चय", "निश्चय-ही", "परंतु-निश्चय", "फिर-भी", "लेकिन", "सचचि", "सचमुच", "सचमूच"]·ID["Sesungguhnya", "Sungguh", "Tetapi", "pasti", "sesungguhnya"]·IT["certamente"]·jav["Nanging-saestú", "Nanging-sanget", "Nanging-saèstu", "Saestu", "Sanyata", "Sayektos", "Saèstu", "leres", "saestu", "sayektos", "sayektosipun"]·KO["모세가", "정녕", "진실로", "참으로", "확실히"]·PT["Certamente", "Verdadeiramente", "certamente", "contudo"]·RU["Воистину", "Но-действительно", "Поистине", "воистину", "иначе", "истинно", "но", "но-воистину", "поистине"]·ES["Ciertamente", "Verdaderamente", "ciertamente"]·SW["Hakika", "Kweli", "hakika", "kwa-kweli", "kweli", "lakini"]·TR["Ancak", "Gercekten", "Gerçekten", "Kesinlikle", "gercekten", "gerçekten", "kesinlikle"]·urd["بے-شک", "لیکن", "یقیناً"]
2. but, nevertheless, however (adversative) — An adversative or contrastive particle meaning 'but, nevertheless, however,' introducing a statement that runs counter to expectation. In Psalm 82:7, after the divine address to the 'gods,' 'aken pivots sharply: 'but you will die like mortals.' In Zephaniah 3:7, God expected the city to accept correction, 'but' (aken) they rose early to corrupt all their deeds. Spanish 'sin embargo/pero' and German 'nevertheless' mark this concessive-adversative turn, distinguishing it from the asseverative sense. 2×
AR["لٰكِنْ"]·ben["কিন্তু", "তবুও"]·DE["[אכן]", "nevertheless"]·EN["but", "nevertheless"]·FR["certes", "en-vérité"]·heb["אכן"]·HI["परन्तु"]·ID["Namun", "namun"]·IT["certamente", "invero"]·jav["Nanging", "sayektos"]·KO["그러나-정녕", "참으로"]·PT["Todavia", "verdadeiramente"]·RU["но"]·ES["Sin-embargo", "pero"]·SW["Lakini", "kwa-kweli"]·TR["ancak", "gerçekten"]·urd["لیکن"]
Related Senses
G3588 1. definite article (18298×)H0853 1. definite direct object marker (10915×)G2532 1. (8312×)H3068 1. YHWH (the divine name) (6522×)H0834a 1. relative pronoun (who/which/that) (4839×)H3808 1. simple negation (not) (4839×)H3588a 1. causal: because, for (3498×)G1161 1. and (2806×)H3478 1. Israel (proper name and nation) (2507×)G1722 1. locative: in, within (2442×)H1004b 1. house, dwelling, building (2015×)G4771 1. you (plural address) (1853×)G3756 1. not (negation particle) (1635×)H1931 1. personal pronoun he/she/it (1431×)H4480a 1. source or separation (1198×)G3739 1. relative pronoun who/which/that (1149×)H5892b 1. city, town (1093×)H1732 1. David (proper name) (1075×)G1519 1. direction: into, to, toward (1061×)H2088 1. this, this one (demonstrative) (1059×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
† אָכֵן (perh. from אַךְ; cf. Aramaic דֵּךְ & דִּכֵּן) adv. with strong asseverative force: a. surely, truly, especially at beginning of a speech (stronger & more decided than אַךְ) Gn 28:16 Ex 2:14 1 S 15:32 Is 40:7; 45:15 Je 3:23(×2); 4:10; 8:8. In 1 K 11:2 אָכֵן stands unusually; and פֶּן־ (cf. 𝔊 𝔖 𝔗 should prob. be read (so Klo). b. emphasizing a contrast, but indeed, but in fact,…