Original Word: אֲמַר
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: amar
Pronunciation: ah-MAR
Phonetic Spelling: (am-ar')
NASB: said, gave orders, spoke, tell, related, commanded, say
Word Origin: [(Aramaic) corresponding to H559 (אָמַר - said)]

1. command, declare, say, speak, tell

command, declare, say, speak, tell

(Aramaic) corresponding to 'amar -- command, declare, say, speak, tell.

see HEBREW 'amar

Word Origin
(Aramaic) corresponding to amar
Definition
to say, tell, command
NASB Translation
command is given (1), commanded (2), declared (1), gave orders (8), giving orders (1), related (3), said (27), said* (1), say (2), saying (2), speak (1), speaks (1), spoke (7), tell (6), told (2).

אֲמַר₇₁ verb say, tell, command (Biblical Hebrew אָמַר); —

Pe Perfect3masculine singular ׳א Daniel 2:12 +, אֲמַ֑ר Daniel 7:1; 3feminine singular אֲמֶ֫רֶר Daniel 5:10 (K^{§ 38, 1 a}); 1 singular אַמְרֵת Daniel 4:5; 1plural אֲאַ֫רְנָא Daniel 5:4,9, etc.; Imperfect3masculine singular יֵאמַר (K^{§ 41}) Daniel 2:7 +; 2 masculine plural תֵּאמְרוּן Jeremiah 10:11, etc.; Imperative masculine singular אֱמַר Jeremiah 2:4 +; masculine plural אֱמַרוּ Jeremiah 2:9; Infinitive לְמֵאמַר Jeremiah 2:9, לְמֵמַ֑ר Ezra 5:11 (K^{§ 41 a}); Participle אְמַר Daniel 2:5 #NAME?אָֽמְרִין Daniel 3:4; Ezra 5:3 +; —

1 say (often in phrase answer and say): followed by oratio recta [direct speech] (only), Daniel 2:7,10 13t. Daniel; Ezra 5:11; + ל person Daniel 2:5; Daniel 3:14 14t. Daniel [plural with indefinite subject for passive Daniel 4:28], Ezra 5:15; + קְָדָס person Daniel 2:9; Daniel 5:17; Daniel 6:13; Daniel 6:14; + כֵּן Daniel 4:11; Daniel 7:23, כֵּן with ל person Ezra 5:8; Daniel 2:24,25; Daniel 6:7, compare Daniel 7:5; + כְּנֵמָא with ל person Ezra 5:4,9; + כִּדְנָךְ with ל person Jeremiah 10:11; followed by accusative of thing + עַל person against whom Daniel 3:29.

2 relate, tell: followed by accusative of thing Daniel 4:6; Daniel 4:15; Daniel 7:1, + ל person Daniel 2:4,9,7; Daniel 7:16 (accusative of thing omitted), + קְָדָם person Daniel 2:36; Daniel 4:4; Daniel 4:5.

3 command: followed by infinitive Daniel 2:12,46 6t. Daniel; followed by finite verb Daniel 5:29; Daniel 6:17; Daniel 6:23; followed by ל person + or. rect. Daniel 3:4 [pl. with indefinite subject, for passive, K^{§ 76 e}, so Daniel 4:23].

Overview of Meaning and Function

Strong’s Hebrew 560 אֲמַר occurs seventy-one times, always in the Aramaic portions of the Old Testament (principally Ezra 4–7, Daniel 2–7, and Jeremiah 10:11). While its lexical sense is simply “to say,” its canonical role reaches far beyond ordinary speech: it frames royal decrees, prophetic revelation, confessions of faith, prayers of praise, and legal testimony. Wherever it appears, the verb underscores the power of the spoken word—whether issuing from pagan monarchs, covenant believers, or the Most High Himself—to shape history, reveal truth, and call God’s people to decisive allegiance.

Distribution Across Scriptural Genres

1. Historical narrative: Ezra’s memoirs employ אֲמַר to record correspondence between Jerusalem’s adversaries and Persian kings (Ezra 4:14; 4:17) and to cite the wording of imperial edicts that advance temple reconstruction (Ezra 6:8; 7:21).
2. Apocalyptic court tales: Daniel recounts dialogue with Babylonian and Medo-Persian rulers, each “saying” crucial words that disclose the sovereignty of God over kingdoms (Daniel 2:26; 3:14; 6:7).
3. Prophetic warning: Jeremiah 10:11, the Bible’s only Aramaic verse outside Ezra–Daniel, commands Judah to declare to the nations: “The gods that have not made the heavens and the earth will perish from the earth and from under these heavens.”
4. Liturgical confession: Daniel’s doxology—“Daniel said: ‘Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, for wisdom and power belong to Him’” (Daniel 2:20)—converts courtroom speech into worship.

Speech of Kings and Empires

אֲמַר frequently introduces royal speech, highlighting the transient authority of earthly rulers in contrast to the eternal rule of God:
• Nebuchadnezzar “said” to Daniel, “Are you able to reveal to me the dream?” (Daniel 2:26). The question sets the stage for God-given revelation that humbles the emperor.
• Darius “said” to the lions’ den, “May your God, whom you serve continually, deliver you!” (Daniel 6:16). Pagan lips become instruments of intercession and confession.
• Artaxerxes “said” in his rescript, “Why should we allow the damage to increase?” (Ezra 4:21), then later authorizes the full funding of temple worship (Ezra 7:21).

These occurrences portray world powers acknowledging, however reluctantly, that final authority rests with the God of Israel.

Covenantal Witness and Prophetic Testimony

In Ezra 5:11 the returning exiles “said” to Persian officials, “We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth, and we are rebuilding the house that was built many years ago.” Their self-identification as servants turns אֲמַר into covenant witness: speech aligns their identity with God’s redemptive promises. Likewise Daniel interprets dreams by prefacing, “The secret which the king has demanded cannot the wise men…declare to the king; but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries” (Daniel 2:27-28). Prophetic speech therefore contrasts human inability with divine omniscience.

Confession, Praise, and Wisdom

Several key confessional texts pivot on אֲמַר:
• Daniel 3:16-18 records the response of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us…But even if He does not, let it be known to you…” Their “saying” models steadfast faith amid persecution.
• Daniel 4:17 introduces a heavenly decree, “The decision is announced by messengers; the holy ones declare the verdict,” showing that divine “speech” governs earthly events.
• Daniel 4:30 contrasts human pride—“The king spoke, saying, ‘Is this not Babylon the Great, which I myself have built…?’”—with God’s swift judgment, teaching wisdom about humility.

Redemptive-Historical Trajectory

The Aramaic verb surfaces during the exile, precisely when Israel dwelt among Gentile powers. God’s choice to preserve inspired Scripture in Aramaic—and to inscribe it with אֲמַר—signals His intent to address the nations in their own tongue. The repeated “sayings” of court officials, prophets, and angels anticipate the later New Testament commission to “make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19), demonstrating that divine revelation is not linguistically restricted. The pattern prepares readers for the incarnate Word, Jesus Christ, whose authoritative “I say to you” fulfills and transcends every previous utterance.

Ministry Implications

1. Authority of Scripture: The pervasiveness of אֲמַר in legal documents and prophetic oracles affirms that every written word of God is as binding as a royal decree.
2. Evangelism and Apologetics: Jeremiah 10:11 exemplifies boldly declaring the impotence of idols; modern believers likewise articulate truth amidst pluralism.
3. Prayer and Worship: Daniel’s doxology (Daniel 2:20) illustrates turning revelation into praise, encouraging congregations to respond verbally to God’s self-disclosure.
4. Perseverance under Pressure: The fiery-furnace confession (Daniel 3:16-18) equips the church to speak faithful obedience even when deliverance is uncertain.
5. Humility in Leadership: Nebuchadnezzar’s boast (Daniel 4:30) warns Christian leaders to weigh their words lest pride invite divine discipline.

Conclusion

Though deceptively simple, Strong’s Hebrew 560 אֲמַר threads through exile history to highlight the life-and-death weight of spoken words. Whether voicing imperial edicts, prophetic insight, or worshipful confession, its every occurrence reminds readers that the God who speaks also acts—and calls His people to echo His truth with courage, clarity, and conviction.

אֱמַ֗ר אֱמַ֣רוּ אֱמַ֥ר אֱמַֽר׃ אֲמַ֖ר אֲמַ֗ר אֲמַ֗רוּ אֲמַ֣ר אֲמַ֣רְנָא אֲמַ֣ר ׀ אֲמַֽר׃ אֲמַר֒ אֲמַר֙ אֲמַר־ אַמְרֵֽת׃ אָֽמְרִ֔ין אָֽמְרִין֙ אָמְרִ֣ין אָמַ֗ר אָמַ֤ר אמר אמר־ אמר׃ אמרו אמרין אמרנא אמרת׃ וְאָ֣מְרִ֔ין וְאָמְרִ֑ין וְאָמְרִ֖ין וְאָמְרִ֣ין וְאָמְרִ֥ין וְאָמְרִין֙ וְאָמְרִין֮ וְאָמַ֑ר וְאָמַ֔ר וְאָמַ֗ר וְאָמַ֜ר וְאָמַ֣ר וְאָמַ֣ר ׀ וְאָמַר֙ וְאָמַר֩ וְיֵ֥אמַר וַאֲמֶ֗רֶת וַאֲמַ֣ר וַאֲמַר֙ וַאֲמַר־ ואמר ואמר־ ואמרין ואמרת ויאמר יֵאמַ֤ר יֵאמַ֥ר יאמר לְמֵאמַ֣ר לְמֵמַ֑ר למאמר לממר נֵאמַ֥ר נאמר תֵּאמְר֣וּן תאמרון ’ă·ma·rū ’ă·mar ’ā·mar ’ă·mar- ’ă·mar·nā ’ā·mə·rîn ’am·rêṯ ’ămar ’āmar ’ămar- ’ămarnā ’ămarū ’āmərîn ’amrêṯ ’ĕ·ma·rū ’ĕ·mar ’ĕmar ’ĕmarū amar aMarna aMaru ameRin amRet eMar eMaru lə·mê·mar lemeMar ləmêmar nê·mar neMar nêmar tê·mə·rūn têmərūn temRun vaamar vaaMeret veaMar veameRin veYemar wa’ămar wa’ămar- wa’ămereṯ wa·’ă·mar wa·’ă·mar- wa·’ă·me·reṯ wə’āmar wə’āmərîn wə·’ā·mar wə·’ā·mə·rîn wə·yê·mar wəyêmar yê·mar yeMar yêmarInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts