Lexical Summary
aken: Surely, truly, certainly, indeed
Original Word:אָכֵן
Part of Speech:Adverb
Transliteration:aken
Pronunciation:aw-kane'
Phonetic Spelling:(aw-kane')
KJV: but, certainly, nevertheless, surely, truly, verily
NASB:surely, nevertheless, certainly, truly
Word Origin:[fromH3559 (כּוּן - established)]
1. firmly
2. (figuratively) surely
3. (also, advers.) but
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
but, certainly, nevertheless, surely, truly, verily
Fromkuwn (compareken); firmly; figuratively, surely; also (advers.) But -- but, certainly, nevertheless, surely, truly, verily.
see HEBREWkuwn
see HEBREWken
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origina prim. root
Definitionsurely
NASB Translationcertainly (1), nevertheless (2), surely (11), truly (1).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
(perhaps from ; compare Aramaic & )
with strong asseverative force:
, especially at beginning of a speech (stronger & more decided than )Genesis 28:16;Exodus 2:14;1 Samuel 15:32;Isaiah 40:7;Isaiah 45:15;Jeremiah 3:23 (twice in verse);Jeremiah 4:10;Jeremiah 8:8. In1 Kings 11:2 stands unusually; and (compare ) should probably be read (so Klo).
,but indeed, but in fact, especially afterI said orthought, expressing the reality, in opposed to what had been wrongly imagined,Isaiah 49:4b (opposed to va)Isaiah 53:4 (opposed toIsaiah 53:3 end)Jeremiah 3:20 (opposed to the expectationJeremiah 3:19 b)Zephaniah 3:7bPsalm 31:23b (opposed toPsalm 31:23a)Psalm 66:19;Psalm 82:7 (opposed toPsalm 82:6)Job 32:8 (opposed toJob 32:7).
Topical Lexicon
Essential Nuanceאָכֵן introduces a sudden acknowledgment of reality. Whether spoken by patriarchs, prophets, kings, or psalmists, it serves as a verbal pivot from uncertainty to conviction, from assumption to revelation. Each context displays a movement of the heart or mind when the speaker is confronted with undeniable truth.
Moments of Awakening
•Genesis 28:16 records Jacob’s startled confession, “Surely the LORD is in this place, and I was unaware.” A life of grasping gives way to worship when divine presence is recognized.
•Exodus 2:14 finds Moses retreating to Midian after the rebuke, “Surely the matter is known.” Personal failure opens the door to forty hidden years that shape a deliverer.
• In1 Samuel 15:32, the captured Agag approaches Samuel, “Surely the bitterness of death has passed.” His misplaced optimism highlights the irrevocability of divine judgment announced earlier in the chapter.
Certainty in Praise and Prayer
•Psalm 66:19: “But God has surely listened and heard my voice in prayer.” The adverb underscores confidence that worship is not one-sided; heaven answers earth.
•Psalm 31:22 andPsalm 82:7 pair אָכֵן with human frailty—panic in David’s heart and the mortality of unjust rulers—yet both psalms end with the LORD’s triumph, proving that acknowledged weakness becomes the stage for divine strength.
Prophetic Assurance of Judgment and Hope
•Isaiah 40:7 links the transience of creation to certain judgment: “Surely the grass withers…”
• Jeremiah layers the word in oracles of exposure: “Surely the hills are a delusion… Surely in the LORD our God is the salvation of Israel” (Jeremiah 3:23). False refuges collapse; the covenant refuge remains.
•Zephaniah 3:7 shows the LORD’s expectation: “Surely you will fear Me and accept correction.” When Judah refuses, the certainty of discipline is sealed.
Divine Hiddenness and Revelation
Isaiah twice couples אָכֵן with the mystery of God: “Truly You are a God who hides Himself” (Isaiah 45:15) and the Servant’s lament, “Yet surely my vindication is with the LORD” (Isaiah 49:4). The paradox is clear—God may conceal His ways, yet His justice is never in doubt.
Messianic Highlight
Isaiah 53:4 employs the term at the threshold of the Suffering Servant prophecy: “Surely He took on our infirmities and carried our sorrows.” The emphatic particle guarantees the substitutionary work of the Messiah. New Testament writers echo this certainty (Matthew 8:17;1 Peter 2:24), grounding the gospel in prophetic affirmation.
Exposure of Religious Pretense
Jeremiah 8:8 indicts scribes who distort Torah: the presence of אָכֵן unmasks deception—“Surely, in vain has the pen of the scribes produced falsehood.” Truth stands; counterfeit piety disintegrates.
Pastoral and Homiletic Application
1. Awakening: Like Jacob, congregations may know doctrine without sensing presence; אָכֵן calls them to awareness.
2. Repentance: Moses’ “surely” confronts hidden sin before sanctuary service can begin.
3. Assurance: The psalmist’s “surely” strengthens prayer meetings—heaven hears.
4. Proclamation:Isaiah 53:4 emboldens evangelism; atonement is not guesswork but certainty.
Historical Observations
From patriarchal era (Genesis) to post-exilic prophets (Zephaniah), usage is evenly distributed, indicating a timeless rhetorical tool. Its appearance in both Northern and Southern prophetic messages suggests common liturgical currency in ancient Israel.
Theological Synthesis
אָכֵן stamps divine authenticity on statements of judgment, redemption, lament, and praise. Human voices employ it, yet its reliability stems from the God who cannot lie (Numbers 23:19). Each occurrence pushes the narrative of Scripture toward the climactic “Amen” in Jesus Christ, in whom every promise is “Yes” and every “surely” finds ultimate fulfillment.
Forms and Transliterations
אָ֭כֵן אָכֵ֕ן אָכֵ֖ן אָכֵ֗ן אָכֵ֛ן אָכֵ֤ן אָכֵ֥ן אָכֵן֙ אָכֵן֩ אכן ’ā·ḵên ’āḵên aChen
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