אָכֵן (a.khen)
a.khen
surely
H:AdvQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 16 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:Adv
Word Overview
The Hebrew adverb a.khen carries a strong assertive force, translating most often as "surely," "truly," or "indeed." It serves to confirm the reality of a statement with emphasis, grounding the speaker’s words in certainty. In the Psalms and Prophets, this word acts as a verbal anchor, signaling that what follows is not merely opinion but established fact.
Beyond simple affirmation, a.khen frequently introduces a contrast, functioning like "but indeed" or "but in fact." This usage highlights a shift in perspective or corrects a potential misunderstanding. For instance, in Jeremiah 31:3, the prophet uses it to emphasize God’s enduring love despite Israel’s unfaithfulness, creating a stark contrast between human failure and divine constancy.
The word appears sixteen times in the Hebrew Bible, with notable occurrences in Isaiah and Jeremiah. Its brevity belies its weight; it is not a filler word but a deliberate marker of truth. Translators often render it simply as "surely," though the Hebrew carries a rhetorical punch that demands attention to the gravity of the declaration.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word a.khen acts as a firm anchor in the Hebrew text, translating most often as "surely" or "truly." It does not merely add emphasis; it confirms that a statement is established fact rather than opinion. When you encounter this adverb in Scripture, you are being invited to rest in the certainty of what God has declared.
In moments of confusion or fear, these declarations provide stability. For example, in Isaiah 53:4, the word underscores the reality that Jesus bore our sicknesses and carried our sorrows. This is not a vague hope but a confirmed truth about His work on your behalf. It reminds us that God’s promises are grounded in His unchanging nature.
Whether used to highlight God’s enduring love or to correct a misunderstanding, a.khen calls for attention. It invites you to trust in the weight of divine words. This certainty offers peace when life feels unstable, pointing you toward the faithful character of your Creator.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 16 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- truly10×
- nevertheless7×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- אָכֵן֙6×
- אָ֭כֵן3×
- אָכֵ֥ן2×
- אָכֵ֖ן2×
- אָכֵן֩1×
- אָכֵ֤ן1×
- אָכֵ֛ן1×
- אָכֵ֕ן1×
Key Verses
-
Isaiah 53:4
Surely he has borne our sickness and carried our suffering; yet we considered him plagued, struck by God, and afflicted.
This occurrence confirms the factual reality that Christ bore our infirmities, grounding the hope of healing in His completed work.
-
Genesis 28:16
Jacob awakened out of his sleep, and he said, “Surely Yahweh is in this place, and I didn’t know it.”
Jacob uses this term to acknowledge the sudden realization that Yahweh was present in a place he previously thought ordinary.
-
Isaiah 40:7
The grass withers, the flower fades, because Yahweh’s breath blows on it. Surely the people are like grass.
It reinforces the comparison between human frailty and the lasting word of God by stating people are like grass.