I was listening to NPR this afternoon and caught a snippet of the problem the Cherokee Nation is having with African Americans, who, (I believe) wish to be admitted due to the fact that their ancestors were their slaves.
If I got that wrong, for heaven’s sake don’t hold it against me, okay? Thanks.
So anyway, I heard a prayer by a black preacher and he ended it with 2 “amens”.
I’ve heard this before and often wondered why this is done. Isn’t one enough?
Thanks
Q
Amen and Amen in scriptures:
Psalm 41:13
Praise be to the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Amen and Amen.
Psalm 72:19
Praise be to his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen and Amen.
Psalm 89:52
Praise be to the LORD forever! Amen and Amen.
Gotcha, and thanks, kanicbird. Just didn’t realize they were scripture quotes.
Q
The Bible often uses repetition to communiate intensity or emphasis. See also Isaiah 6:3 (“Holy, holy, holy is the LORD God of Hosts”) and John 3:3 (“Truly, truly I say to you…”).
“Amen” (meaning roughly ‘so be it’) is used similarly. “Amen and Amen” basically means “let it really really be so.”
Like “verily, verily I say unto you”, right, Skammie?
Got it, thanks
Q
Yep. “Truly truly” is the modern translation for what the King James used “verily verily.”
Done and done.
Repetition is still used today for emphasis - for example: the first and second rules of Fight Club
Furthermore, Amen has multiple meanings. For example, it can mean both “yes” and “let is be so.”
The more interesting emphasis device I notice in the Bible is the blank of blanks. You know, the King of Kings. the Song of Songs. It’s an interesting way of saying the highest or the best.
And the more the better - God is Holy, Holy, Holy - not just Holy, nor even Holy, Holy…
But falls short of Holy, Holy, Holy, Holy, which would have netted him the lifetime achievement award. Maybe next time, God.
Amen: Biblical Hebrew for “+1” 
Using 3 “holys” is for emphasis. Using 4 “Holys” would be redundant.
Five… Is right out.
(you know someone was going to say that)
The best of the best.
αμην αμην λεγω υμιν…
You could use the Trisagion of the Orthodox Churches:
Holy God,
Holy and Mighty,
Holy Immortal One,
Have mercy upon us.
This is properly chanted three times, for a total of nine Holies.
PowerPuff Girls ref FTW!!