Biblical Numerology
Biblical Numerology. Symbolic, Cultural and Spiritual Meanings of Numbers in the Old Testament
In written Hebrew, numbers are traditionally represented by using Hebrew letters in a system called Gematria, where each letter corresponds to a numerical value. Here’s a guide to understanding this style:
- Single Digits: Each Hebrew letter from א (Aleph) to ט (Tet) represents numbers from 1 to 9:
- א = 1
- ב = 2
- ג = 3
- ד = 4
- ה = 5
- ו = 6
- ז = 7
- ח = 8
- ט = 9
- Tens: Letters from י (Yud) to צ (Tsade) represent tens, from 10 to 90:
- י = 10
- כ = 20
- ל = 30
- מ = 40
- נ = 50
- ס = 60
- ע = 70
- פ = 80
- צ = 90
- Hundreds: From ק (Qof) to ת (Tav), letters represent hundreds, from 100 to 400:
- ק = 100
- ר = 200
- ש = 300
- ת = 400
- Larger Numbers: To represent numbers larger than 400, combinations of letters are used to add up to the required value.
- Special Notation:
- A geresh (׳) is placed after a single letter for numbers 1–9, and two gershayim (״) are used between letters in numbers from 10 onward to signify they represent numbers, not words.
- For example, the number 15, which could typically be written as י + ה, instead uses ט״ו to avoid spelling God’s name inadvertently (יה).
Example:
- 27 is כ״ז (20 + 7)
- 138 is קל״ח (100 + 30 + 8)
This style of using letters for numbers is primarily used in traditional texts, dates in Hebrew calendars, and religious contexts.
What is the deeper meaning of the numbers used in Hebrew language and culture?
In Hebrew language and culture, numbers often hold deeper symbolic and spiritual meanings, going beyond their literal numerical value. Many numbers are rich in associations derived from the Hebrew Scriptures, Jewish tradition, and rabbinic teachings. Here’s an overview of the meanings commonly attributed to key numbers:
1. One (אֶחָד – Echad)
- Unity and God’s Oneness: The number one represents unity, singularity, and the oneness of God. Echad, meaning “one,” is used in the Shema prayer: “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one” (Deuteronomy 6:4), emphasizing monotheism and the indivisible nature of God.
- Wholeness: One also represents wholeness and completeness, as it encompasses all other numbers within itself.
2. Two (שְׁנַיִם – Shnayim)
- Duality and Relationships: Two often symbolizes duality, partnership, or witness. This includes the dual nature of creation (heaven and earth, light and darkness) and human relationships, such as marriage.
- Witness: In Jewish law, two witnesses are required to establish the truth of a matter (Deuteronomy 19:15).
3. Three (שָׁלוֹשׁ – Shalosh)
- Completeness and Stability: Three represents completeness and stability, like a tripod. The patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are seen as foundational figures representing completeness in faith.
- Divine Presence: Three is also associated with holiness and the presence of God. In Isaiah 6:3, the angels say, “Holy, holy, holy,” emphasizing God’s perfection and presence.
4. Four (אַרְבַּע – Arba)
- Universality and the World: Four represents the physical world and its universality, as seen in the four directions (north, south, east, and west). It can symbolize the spread of something across all creation.
- Four Matriarchs and Four Exiles: In Jewish history, the four matriarchs (Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel, and Leah) represent foundational figures. The four exiles or dispersions are also symbolic in Jewish teachings.
5. Five (חָמֵשׁ – Chamesh)
- God’s Grace and the Torah: Five is often associated with God’s grace and kindness. The number is central in the Torah, which is divided into five books, known as the Five Books of Moses.
- Protection and Power: The five fingers of the hand are seen as a symbol of human agency and divine protection.
6. Six (שֵׁשׁ – Shesh)
- Creation and Human Work: Six represents the days of creation, as God created the world in six days and rested on the seventh (Genesis 1). It symbolizes human labor and earthly matters, as people were instructed to work for six days.
- Imperfection and Incompletion: Six is sometimes seen as incomplete, a step before seven, which represents wholeness and rest.
7. Seven (שֶׁבַע – Sheva)
- Perfection, Holiness, and Covenant: Seven is one of the most sacred numbers in Hebrew culture, symbolizing completeness, spiritual perfection, and covenant. God created the world in six days and rested on the seventh, making the Sabbath holy (Genesis 2:2-3).
- Fulfillment and Blessing: Seven often signifies a cycle of completion, such as the seven-year cycle of the Sabbath year, and is associated with blessings and divine purpose.
8. Eight (שְׁמוֹנֶה – Shmonah)
- New Beginnings and Renewal: Eight represents new beginnings and transcending natural limitations. The number eight follows the cycle of seven, symbolizing a step into the supernatural or a new phase.
- Covenant of Circumcision: Jewish boys are circumcised on the eighth day, marking their entry into the covenant with God (Genesis 17:12).
10. Ten (עֶשֶׂר – Eser)
- Divine Order and Completeness: Ten represents order and completeness, as seen in the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20) and the Ten Plagues. It is often associated with God’s authority and the structure of divine law.
- A Community: A minyan, or quorum of ten, is required for communal Jewish prayers, emphasizing unity and community worship.
12. Twelve (שְׁנֵים-עָשָׂר – Shneim Asar)
- Tribes and Divine Governance: Twelve symbolizes God’s chosen people and divine order, as seen in the twelve tribes of Israel. It signifies completeness in the sense of family or community.
- Cosmic Order: In addition to the twelve tribes, the number twelve is seen in the twelve months of the year, reinforcing a cosmic order.
40. Forty (אַרְבָּעִים – Arba’im)
- Trial, Testing, and Transformation: Forty often represents a period of trial or testing. For example, the Israelites wandered in the wilderness for forty years, and Moses fasted for forty days on Mount Sinai (Exodus 34:28).
- Preparation for Renewal: After periods of testing, there is often transformation, new beginnings, or renewal, marking a shift to a new phase.
Additional Notes
- Gematria: In Jewish mystical traditions, especially Kabbalah, letters have numeric values, and words can be interpreted based on their total numerical value. This practice, known as gematria, attributes deeper significance to words and phrases based on their numeric structure.
- Multiples and Combinations: Sometimes, numbers multiply or combine to create additional meanings. For example, 70 (7 x 10) represents the fullness of nations and wisdom, as in the 70 elders of Israel.
In summary, numbers in Hebrew culture hold deep spiritual meanings, often symbolizing completeness, divine intervention, covenant, or cycles of time and testing. Each number’s significance offers a way to understand the layers of meaning in scriptural texts and the rhythms of life and faith
What is gematria
Gematria is an alphanumeric code or system that assigns numerical values to letters, words, or phrases, primarily used in Hebrew and Greek texts. It is often employed in Jewish mysticism, biblical texts, and Kabbalistic teachings. The concept derives from the belief that words with similar numerical values may be related or hold deeper, mystical significance.
Basic Principles of Gematria
Letter Values: Each letter in the Hebrew or Greek alphabet corresponds to a specific numerical value. For example, in Hebrew:
- א (Aleph) = 1
- ב (Bet) = 2
- ג (Gimel) = 3
- … and so forth, up to:
- ת (Tav) = 400
Word Values: The numerical value of a word is calculated by summing the values of its constituent letters. For example:
- The Hebrew word for father (אָב, Av) has a value of:
- א (1) + ב (2) = 3
Interpretation: Words with the same numerical value are often interpreted as having a connection or deeper meaning. This can be used for analysis, interpretation of texts, or deriving mystical insights.
Examples of Gematria
The Name David:
- The Hebrew name דוד (David) can be calculated as:
- ד (Dalet) = 4
- ו (Vav) = 6
- ד (Dalet) = 4
- Total: 4 + 6 + 4 = 14
Word Connections:
The Hebrew word for life (חיים, Chaim) has a value of 68:
- ח (Chet) = 8
- י (Yud) = 10
- ם (Mem Sofit) = 40
- Total: 8 + 10 + 40 = 58
- ל (Lamed) = 30
- ב (Bet) = 2
- Total: 30 + 2 = 32 Some interpretations might connect the values of words such as life and heart to convey deeper spiritual meanings.
Biblical Significance: In some Kabbalistic traditions, gematria is used to interpret biblical verses. For instance, the numerical value of certain phrases can lead to new insights about their meanings, or connections to other texts.
Conclusion
Gematria is a rich, complex system used to uncover hidden meanings and connections in texts. It has been employed for centuries in various spiritual and scholarly contexts, especially within Judaism, and continues to be a topic of interest among mystics, linguists, and those exploring the intersections of language and spirituality.
