Emuna
What is Faith.
Emunah (אֱמוּנָה) is a Hebrew word most commonly translated as "faith" or "belief," but its literal and cultural meaning is closer to "trust," "loyalty," and "steadfastness". Rather than a static mental state, it represents an active, ongoing commitment and reliance.
Emunah comes from the root aleph-mem-nun (aman), which means to support, confirm, or be reliable. This is the same root that gives us the word "Amen" (so be it).
Aman (אמ״ן): The base verb meaning to support, confirm, or be faithful. It is also the source of the word amen.
Emunah (אמונה): The feminine noun for steadfast trust, faith, or reliability.
Uman / Oman (אומן): The noun for a craftsman, artisan, or foster parent/nurse, denoting someone whose reliable skill is steady, practiced, and firm.
In biblical and Jewish contexts, emunah is not just believing that God exists; it is active faithfulness. It implies a confident, unwavering stance and the behavior that follows that trust.
Emunah appears 49 times in the Old Testament.
The first appearance is Genesis 15:6
“6 And he believed the Lord, and he counted it to him as righteousness.”
The Word translated as Believed, is Emunah.
NOTE, The Abrahamic Covenant, is a Covenant based upon Faith. (Emunah.)
PISTIS : (πίστις) primarily means faith, trust, or fidelity. Derived from the verb peitho (meaning "to persuade"), it describes being convinced of something and placing secure reliance on it.
(1) A deep mental conviction or persuasion regarding the truth of something or someone.
(2) A firm reliance on the reliability, character, or strength of another person or deity.
(3) The personal quality of being trustworthy, loyal, and true to your word or covenant obligations.
(4) In ancient Greek mythology, Pistis was the minor goddess and personification of good faith, honesty, and reliability (equivalent to the Roman goddess Fides).
(5) In classical Greek philosophy and rhetoric (such as Aristotle), pistis referred to the means of persuasion or proof used to convince an audience.
The Word Pistis appears 243 times in the New Testament.
RIGHTEOUSNESS:
The primary Hebrew words for righteousness are Tsedeq and Tsedakah, which describe living in right, active, and compassionate relationships rather than just holding a private moral status.
Tsedeq (צֶדֶק): An abstract noun meaning righteousness, justice, or conformity to an ethical standard or straight path.
Tsedakah (צְדָקָה): The concrete, active expression of righteousness; often translated as charity, fairness, or doing right by people in need.
Ttzaddik (צַדִּיק): The related adjective/noun for a righteous or just person who lives out these values.
The primary Greek word for righteousness is dikaiosynē (pronounced dee-kay-oh-soo-nay). It encompasses the concepts of justice, rightness, and living in a way that is right and pleasing to God.
Dikaiosynē (δικαιοσύνη): The noun form, which translates to righteousness or justice.
Dikaios (δίκαιος): The adjective form, which means righteous, just, or upright.
Dike (δίκη): The root word for justice, judgment, or maintaining social/moral order.
HOLY:
The Hebrew word for "holy" as an adjective is Kadosh (קָדוֹשׁ) the related noun form for "holiness" or "sanctuary" is kodesh (קֹדֶשׁ).
Set Apart: The literal root meaning of the word is to be separated, consecrated, or set apart for a special, higher purpose.
Distinct from the Ordinary: Something that is kadosh is different from common or everyday things.
Repetition for Emphasis: Repeating the word three times (Kadosh, Kadosh, Kadosh) is used in scripture to express the highest level of holiness.
The Greek word is Hagios, written in Greek as ἅγιος. It means sacred, pure, or set apart for God. Its foundational meaning is "set apart". It indicates that an object, place, or person has been withdrawn from common use and dedicated exclusively to God’s service and purposes.
As Believers, our FAITH, is counted, perceived, judged, as Righteousness by GOD.
We are called to live Holy and Righteous lives.
Forget what you think that means, now, go back and read the actual meanings of the words.
The works of Faith, are Righteousness,
Faith without works is dead.
As believers, our faith (emunah / pistis) that active, steadfast trust and loyalty, is counted, perceived, and judged by God as righteousness (tsedeq / dikaiosynē).
We are then called to live holy (kadosh, hagios) and righteous lives: set apart from sin, devoted to God, and actively doing what is right in relationship with Him and with others.
The works that flow from genuine faith are righteousness. Faith without works is dead (James 2:17, 26).
Forget purely Western, passive definitions of these words. Return to the original meanings:
Faith is loyal, steadfast trust that acts.
Righteousness is right relationship lived out in justice and compassion.
Holiness is being set apart exclusively for God.
The works of faith are:
(1) The obedient, loyal, and loving actions that flow from genuine emunah / pistis.
(2) The concrete expression of the righteousness God credits to those who trust Him.
(3) The evidence that we are walking in the holiness to which we are called.
(4) Never the basis of our acceptance with God, but the inevitable result of a living faith.
Faith without these works is dead. Faith that produces them is the living, steadfast trust the Bible calls us to.
That is the biblical reality.
