Verily
Verily
VERILY.A formula of asseveration or corroboration.
The Hebrew is , and, while it is translated in the OT by the LXX Septuagint into (cf. Psa 72:19) or (cf. Jer 28:6), and by Aquila into , it is simply transliterated by the NT writers, except St. Luke, who, in deference to his Gentile readers, gives in three instances where the parallels have (Luk 9:27 = Mat 16:28 = Mar 9:1; Luk 12:44 = Mat 24:47; Luk 21:3 = Mar 12:43).
According to R. Judah ben Sima, the formula had three uses: (1) in swearing (cf. Num 5:22), (2) in accepting (cf. Deu 27:15), and (3) in expressing confidence (cf. 1Ki 1:36).* [Note: Wetstein on Mat 6:13.] When a Rabbi would add impressiveness to a doctrine, he prefaced it with Amen, Verily, signifying that it was a tradition received by Moses on Sinai. [Note: Lightfoot on Mat 5:18.] The congregation responded Amen to the prayers in the synagogue, a usage which passed into the Christian ecclesia; [Note: 1Co 14:16; Aug. de Catech. Rud. 13.] and the Talmud warns against an orphan Amen, meaning one uttered without consideration, or in ignorance whereto the response is being made. [Note: Lightfoot on 1Co 14:16.]
It is somewhat unfortunate that, where it is an asseverative preface, our versions have translated by verily, and, where it is a liturgical response, have simply transliterated it. Let it be understood that the word is the same in both cases. See art. Amen.
Jesus, like the Rabbis, was accustomed, by way of bespeaking His hearers attention, to preface important declarations with Amen, Verily.|| [Note: | Aug. in Joan. Ev. Tract xli. 3: Multum commendat quod ita pronuntiat; quodammodo, si dici fas est, juratio ejus est, Amen, amen dico vobis.] All our Evangelists represent Him as doing so; but whereas the Synoptists put on His lips a single Verily, St. John makes Him in every instance reduplicate the formula, saying Verily, verily. What is the explanation of this divergence? It is out of the question to suppose that, since the Johannine and the Synoptic logia are in no case identical, Jesus may have spoken after both fashions, employing now the single, now the double Verily. It does not appear that the latter was in use among the Jews, and it may be assumed that Jesus always spoke according to the Synoptic representation. Lightfoot makes a shrewd and far-reaching comment on Mar 5:41. Talitha, km means merely Maiden, arise! And this is all that Jesus actually said; but in His pronunciation and utterance of these words there flashed forth such authority and commanding energy, that they sounded no less than if He had said: Maiden, I tell thee, arise. (Cf. Mat 9:6 with Mar 2:11 = Luk 5:24). May not this be the explanation of St. Johns reduplicated Verily? Jesus actually used the single formula; but such was the authority of His tone that St. John, reproducing not merely His language but His spirit, reiterated the asseveration, very much as a modern writer might underline the word, or as the Hebrew idiom expressed plurality or magnitude by repetition; e.g. Gen 14:10 full of pits of asphalt, literally pits, pits of asphalt. The beloved disciple held every tone, look, and gesture of the Master in reverent remembrance; and when he limned His picture, he was in nowise careful to reproduce details with slavish and pedantic accuracy, but, with the artists instinct, sought to catch those subtle and elusive expressions which reveal the true personality. When he reduplicated Verily, he designed to make his readers realize the majesty wherewith the Lord spoke and the authority which His words carried.* [Note: Just. M. Dial. c. Tryph., ed. Sylburg, p. 225 C: , , .]
Literature.Bruder, Concord., and Grimm-Thayer, Lex. s.v. ; Hastings, DB [Note: Dictionary of the Bible.] , art. Amen; ExpT [Note: xpT Expository Times.] viii. [1896] 100 ff., 190 f., xiii. [1902] 563 ff.; Dalman, Words of Jesus, 226 ff.
David Smith.
Fuente: A Dictionary Of Christ And The Gospels
Verily
“truly” (akin to aletheia, “truth”), is translated “verily” in 1Jo 2:5. See INDEED, No. 3, SURELY, TRULY.
the transliteration of a Heb. word = “truth,” is usually translated “verily” in the four Gospels; in John’s Gospel the Lord introduces a solemn pronouncement by the repeated word “verily, verily” twenty-five times. See AMEN.
“really” (connected with eimi, “to be”), is rendered “verily” in Mar 11:32, RV, and Gal 3:21. See INDEED, No. 4.
Notes: (1) In Act 16:37, gar, “for,” is translated “verily.” (2) In Heb 2:16, depou (in some texts de pou), a particle meaning “of course, we know,” is rendered “verily.” (3) In Luk 11:51, AV, nai, “yea” (RV), is translated “verily.” (4) The particle men (see INDEED, No. 1) is rendered “verily,” e.g., in 1Co 5:3; 1Co 14:17; Heb 12:10; in the AV, Heb 3:5; Heb 7:5, Heb 7:18; 1Pe 1:20; in Act 26:9 it is combined with oun (“therefore”): see YEA, No. 4.