AMBUSCADE and AMBUSH am'bush), aw-rab', to lie in wait), in mili tary phraseology, are terms used promiscuously, though it is understood that the first more properly applies to the act, and the second to the locality, of a stratagem which consists mainly in the conceal ment of an army, or of a detachment, where the enemy, if he ventures, in ignorance of the measure, within the sphere of its action, is suddenly taken at a disadvantage, and liable to be totally defeated. The principles which must guide the contrivers of an ambuscade have been nearly the same in all ages ; embracing concealment from the observa tion of an enemy so as to create no suspicion ; a position of advantage in case of being attacked by superior forces, and having the means of retreat ing, as well as of issuing forth to attack, without impediment, when the proper moment is arrived. The example of Joshua at the capture of Ai shows the art to have been practiced among the Jews on the best possible principles ( Josh. viii :21).
In the attempt to surprise Shechem (Judg. ix :30, sqq.) the operation, so far as it was a military maneuver, was unskilfully laid, although ultimately successful in consequence of the party spirit within, and the intelligence which Abime lech maintained in the fortress.—C. H. S.
AMEN (a'rnat or d'inen), (Heb.
New Testament. aw-mane'). This word is strictly an adjective, signifying 'firm,' and, meta phorically, 'faithful.' Thus in Rev. iii :14. our Lord is called 'the omen, the faithful and true witness.' In Is. lxv:16, the Hub. has 'the God of amen,' which our version renders 'the God of truth,' i. c.. of fidelity. In its adverbial sense amen means certainly, truly, surely. It is used in the be ginning of a sentence by way of emphasis-rarely in the Old Testament (Jer. xxviii:6), but often by our Savior in the New, where it is commonly translated 'verily.' In John's gospel alone it is often used by him in this way double, i, e., verily.' In the end of a sentence it often occurs singly or repeated, especially at the end of hymns or prayers, as 'amen and amen' (Ps. xli :13 ; lxxii: 19; lxxxix :53). The proper signification of it in this position is to confirm the words which have preceded, and invoke the fulfilment of them: 'so be it,' fiat; Sept. yerinro. Hence in oaths, after the priest has repeated the words of the covenant or imprecation, all those who pronounce the amen bind themselves by the oath (Num. v:22: Deut. xxvii:15. 17; Nish. v:13; viii:6; I Chron. xvi:36; comp. Ps. cvi :48).