Gematria

E19175

Gematria is a traditional Jewish numerological system that assigns numerical values to letters and words to uncover hidden meanings and connections in sacred texts.

Jump to: Statements Referenced by

Statements (48)

Predicate Object
instanceOf Jewish numerological system
alphanumeric code
hermeneutic technique
method of biblical exegesis
appliesTo Aramaic alphabet (historically)
surface form: Aramaic alphabet

Hebrew alphabet
assumes Torah contains hidden layers of meaning
basedOn assignment of numerical values to letters
categoryWithinPaRDeS remez GENERATED
contrastedWith peshat (plain meaning) interpretation
criticizedAs speculative
defendedAs traditional tool of interpretation GENERATED
developedIn medieval Kabbalistic texts
rabbinic literature
formalizedIn Sefer Yetzirah traditions
Zohar
hasExample equating words like "Mashiach" and other terms with same value
hasMethod assigning 1–9, 10–90, 100–400 to Hebrew letters
summing letter values of words and phrases
hasVariant Atbash-based systems
Mispar gadol
Mispar katan
Ordinal gematria
influenced Hasidic teachings
Jewish liturgical poetry
Jewish magical and amuletic practices
languageOfApplication Aramaic
Hebrew
mentionedIn Midrash
Talmud
originatedIn ancient Jewish interpretive traditions
partOf PaRDeS fourfold interpretive scheme
relatedTo Kabbalistic sefirot symbolism
isopsephy
numerology
usedBy Merkavah mysticism
surface form: Jewish mystics

kabbalists
rabbis
usedFor drawing connections between words and phrases
finding hidden meanings in sacred texts
interpreting Hebrew Bible
mystical speculation
sermonic and homiletic interpretation
usedIn Jewish mysticism
Judaism
Kabbalah
usesConcept equivalence of words with same numerical value
symbolic significance of numbers

Referenced by (3)

Full triples — surface form annotated when it differs from this entity's canonical label.

Notarikon relatedTo Gematria
Temurah relatedTo Gematria
Kabbalah usesMethod Gematria