Bible Dictionary
AMAIN
Amain means with great force, speed, or sudden violence. The term describes the flight of Timotheus and his army after defeat by Judas Maccabee.
Definition
Amain means with force, speed, or sudden violence. The word describes movement that is rapid and forceful, especially a sudden flight.
Biblical Usage
The expression occurs in 2 Maccabees 12:22, where it describes Timotheus and his army rushing violently and suddenly into flight after defeat by Judas Maccabeus.
Historical Background
The English word is explained as consisting of the prefix “a” and “main,” meaning force.
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>a-man' (translated from the Greek eis phugen hormesan, "they rushed to flight"): The word is composed of the prefix "a" and the word "main," meaning "force." The expression is used by Milton, Parker, et al., but in Biblical literature found only in 2 Macc 12:22 where used to describe the flight of Timotheus and his army after he suffered defeat at the hands of Judas Maccabee ("They fled amain," i.e. violently and suddenly).</p>