angela hormberg

Tag: Hewbrew Alphabet

  • Psalm 119:Tau or Tav

    Psalm 119:Tau or Tav

    Part 22:Tau or Tav verses 169-176

    The twenty-second part is Tau or Tav, which is the twenty-second letter of the Hebrew alphabet.

    The following information is from the website BJE:Your Jewish Journey or Hebrew4Christians

    “As the final letter of the Hebrew alphabet, TAV is equal to the number four hundred and is symbolic of perfection.

    The word TAV means ‘impression’ or ‘mark’.

    TAV alludes to the three essential services of the soul: teshuvah (repentance), tefillah (prayer) and Torah (all three of these words in Hebrew begin with the letter TAV).

    TAV represents truth.

    The letter TAV begins the word tikkun (redemption). This refers to the concept of teshuvah (a returning to the Source for forgiveness)” (“Tav”).

    Works Cited

    Henry, Matthew. “Psalm 119.” Matthew Henry’s Commentary On the Whole Bible: New Modern Edition. Volume 3, Hendrickson Publishers, Inc., March 1996.

    Holy Bible: Giant Print with Study Aids. Dugan Publishers, Inc., 1984.

    “Tav”. BJE: Your Jewish Journey. NSW Board of Jewish Education, https://bje.org.au/knowledge-centre/jewish-languages/hebrew-alphabet/bet/ , Accessed 27 May 2025.

    © 2025 Angela Hormberg

  • Psalm 119: Schin, Shin, or Sin

    Psalm 119: Schin, Shin, or Sin

    Part Number:21

    The twenty-first part is Schin, Shin, or Sin, which is the twenty-first letter of the Hebrew alphabet.

    The following information is from the website BJE:Your Jewish Journey :

    “The letter SHIN, being equivalent to the number three hundred in the Hebrew alphabet, and represents Divine power as it is the initial letter of two of the Names of God.

    Shaddai, one of the names of God, begins with the letter SHIN. The word Shaddai is usually translated into English as ‘Almighty’.

    The SHIN appears on tefillin in two forms: on the left side of the one worn on the head, the letter is embossed with four splays, while on the right side of the one used for the arm, the standard three-headed version of the letter is used. These two forms represent the two kinds of Divine wisdom: the revealed and the concealed.

    The letter SHIN alludes to Shabbat, the seventh day of Creation. This day signifies total rest from the week of work and is filled with peace and tranquility.

    The letter SHIN stands for shalom, denoting peace and perfection” (“Shin”).

    Works Cited

    Henry, Matthew. “Psalm 119.” Matthew Henry’s Commentary On the Whole Bible: New Modern Edition. Volume 3, Hendrickson Publishers, Inc., March 1996.

    Holy Bible: Giant Print with Study Aids. Dugan Publishers, Inc., 1984.

    “Shin”. BJE: Your Jewish Journey. NSW Board of Jewish Education, https://bje.org.au/knowledge-centre/jewish-languages/hebrew-alphabet/bet/ , Accessed 2 Aug 2025.

    © 2025 Angela Hormberg

  • Psalm 119: Resh

    Psalm 119: Resh

    Part 20:Resh verses 153-160

    The twentieth part is Resh, which is the twentieth letter of the Hebrew alphabet.

    The following information is from the website BJE:Your Jewish Journey:

    “The letter RESH holds the value of two hundred in the numerological calculations of the Hebrew alphabet. It is symbolic of wickedness as well as higher consciousness.

    The letter RESH alludes to the word ‘rosh‘ (head). The head is the most significant of all the parts of the body. It is the source of intellect, reason and wisdom.

    The letter RESH symbolises a bowed head. This is said to depict the poor man (raash), in acknowledgment of his state of servitude.

    According to the Talmud (Oral Law), the letter RESH denotes the word rashah, meaning ‘a wicked person’” (“Resh”).

    Works Cited

    Henry, Matthew. “Psalm 119.” Matthew Henry’s Commentary On the Whole Bible: New Modern Edition. Volume 3, Hendrickson Publishers, Inc., March 1996.

    Holy Bible: Giant Print with Study Aids. Dugan Publishers, Inc., 1984.

    “Resh”. BJE: Your Jewish Journey. NSW Board of Jewish Education, https://bje.org.au/knowledge-centre/jewish-languages/hebrew-alphabet/bet/ , Accessed 1 Aug 2025.

    © 2025 Angela Hormberg

  • Psalm 119: Qof, Koph, Kuf, or Koof

    Psalm 119: Qof, Koph, Kuf, or Koof

    Part 19:Qof, Koph, Kuf, or Koof verses 145-152

    The 19th part is Qof or Koph or Kuf or Koof, which is the 19th letter of the Hebrew alphabet.

    The following information is from the website BJE:Your Jewish Journey:

    “The letter KOOF ק equals the number one hundred in the Hebrew alphabet, signifying the completion of living matter. It is said that at the age of one hundred a person returns to the dust from which they came.

    KOOF signifies kedushah (holiness). This particularly refers to the Holiness of God, which completely distinguishes the Divine from all else.

    The word korban (sacrifice) begins with the letter KOOF. This signifies the offerings made at the time of the Temple. The word comes from the root word karev (to come close), inferring that sacrifices were not only made to appease God, but to aspire towards a higher spiritual state.

    KOOF also stands for Kabbalat Shabbat (receiving of Shabbat).

    In Gematria (the numerological system of the Hebrew alphabet), the word KOOF equals 186, which is equivalent to the word makom (place), signifying Omnipresence.

    KOOF also means ‘monkey’, implying a false imitation of man. It is said that if a Jew strays too far from the service of God during his lifetime on earth, or becomes too vain, he will end his life as a monkey. The monkey symbolizes emptiness, the epitome of vanity. This is exemplified in the Torah by the building of the Tower of Babel. As punishment for their disobedience in building the Tower, God turned the people into apes and demons.

    As the nineteenth letter of the alphabet, KOOF refers to the nineteen-year cycle of the moon in relation to the sun, referring to the lunar calculation of the Hebrew calendar.

    Of all the letters of the Hebrew alphabet, KOOF is symbolically the lowest. Therefore, of the common letters of the alphabet, KOOF signifies the emulation of holiness on earth” (“Kuf”).

    Works Cited

    “Kuf”. BJE: Your Jewish Journey. NSW Board of Jewish Education, https://bje.org.au/knowledge-centre/jewish-languages/hebrew-alphabet/bet/ , Accessed 27 May 2025.

    Henry, Matthew. “Psalm 119.” Matthew Henry’s Commentary On the Whole Bible: New Modern Edition. Volume 3, Hendrickson Publishers, Inc., March 1996.

    Holy Bible: Giant Print with Study Aids. Dugan Publishers, Inc., 1984.

    © 2025 Angela Hormberg

  • Psalm 119: Tzaddi, Tsade, or Tzade

    Psalm 119: Tzaddi, Tsade, or Tzade

    Part 18:Tzaddi, Tsade, Tzade verses 137-144

    The eighteenth part is Tzaddi, Tsade, or Tzade, which is the eighteenth letter of the Hebrew alphabet.

    The following information is from the website BJE:Your Jewish Journey or Hebrew4Christians

    “TZADE means ‘righteous’ in Hebrew.

    Humans can also be referred to as TZADE. The term is applied to those who are completely devoted to the service of God.

    TZADE pertains to the word tzedakkah, translated as ‘charity’ but literally meaning ‘righteousness’. The giving of charity is among the most important of commandments in Judaism.

    The letter TZADE emphasises the significance of humility and loyalty in Judaism” (“Tzade”).

    Adding to that, Hebrew4Christians notes, “the tzaddik is said to reflect the divine image (b’tzselem elohim) when he or she lives in humility and dependence upon Him for the ability to live in trusting obedience to His will”.

    Works Cited

    Henry, Matthew. “Psalm 119.” Matthew Henry’s Commentary On the Whole Bible: New Modern Edition. Volume 3, Hendrickson Publishers, Inc., March 1996.

    Holy Bible: Giant Print with Study Aids. Dugan Publishers, Inc., 1984.

    “Tsade”. Hebrew4Christians.org. John J. Parsons. https://www.hebrew4christians.com/Grammar/Unit_One/Aleph-Bet/Tsade/tsade.html, Accessed 23 July 2025.

    “Tzade”. BJE: Your Jewish Journey. NSW Board of Jewish Education, https://bje.org.au/knowledge-centre/jewish-languages/hebrew-alphabet/tzade/, Accessed 23 July 2025.

    © 2025 Angela Hormberg

  • Psalm 119: Pe, Pey, or Peh

    Psalm 119: Pe, Pey, or Peh

    Part 17:Pe, Pey, or Peh verses 129-136

    The 17th part is Pe or Pey or Peh, which is the seventeenth letter of the Hebrew alphabet.

    The following information is from the website BJE:Your Jewish Journey:

    “The letter PEH means ‘mouth’ in Hebrew. As symbolic of a mouth, the PEH represents the differentiating factor between humans and animals: the capacity for speech and self-expression.

    The PEH alludes to the Oral law (Talmud) She Be’al PEH, and its significance in Judaism. The Oral Law was transmitted at the same time as the Torah, in the form of verbal teachings and explanations.

    The letter PEH, being the seventeenth letter of the Hebrew alphabet, equals the word tov (numerically calculated to mean ‘good’)” (“Peh”).

    Hebrew4Christians expands on Pey, noting,

    “The word Peh means “mouth” and by extension, “word”, “expression”, “vocalization”, “speech”, and “breath”. In the order of the Hebrew alphabet, Pey follows the letter ‘Ayin’, suggesting the priority of the eyes (i.e., understanding, awareness) before verbal expression (negatively, reversing this order results in “blind consumption” or mindless chatter). The chokhmah (wise one) is swift to observe and then to offer an opinion about something. ‘Ayin gives insight, but it is the peh (mouth) that gives insight expression” (“Pey”).

    Works Cited

    Henry, Matthew. “Psalm 119.” Matthew Henry’s Commentary On the Whole Bible: New Modern Edition. Volume 3, Hendrickson Publishers, Inc., March 1996.

    Holy Bible: Giant Print with Study Aids. Dugan Publishers, Inc., 1984.

    “Peh”. BJE: Your Jewish Journey. NSW Board of Jewish Education, https://bje.org.au/knowledge-centre/jewish-languages/hebrew-alphabet/peh/, Accessed 21 July 2025.

    “Pey”. Hebrew4Christians.com. John J. Parsons. https://www.hebrew4christians.com/Grammar/Unit_One/Aleph-Bet/Pey/pey.html, Accessed 21 July 2025.

    © 2025 Angela Hormberg

  • Psalm 119: Ayin or Ain

    Psalm 119: Ayin or Ain

    Part 16:Ayin or Ain verses 121-128

    The sixteenth part is Ayin or Ain, which is the sixteenth letter of the Hebrew alphabet.

    The following information is from the website BJE:Your Jewish Journey or Hebrew4Christians

    “The letter AYIN ע represents the number seventy in the Hebrew alphabet and numerology. It is a symbol of perception and insight.

    The word AYIN means ‘eye’. The eye reveals more about the physical realm than any other sensory organ.

    The eye is considered to be symbolic of the individual’s entire being. The eye reflects the innermost point of a person, a miniature world itself.

    The word for tree (‘etz‘ עץ) begins with AYIN, signifying the Tree of Life.

    AYIN alludes to the eye of God, as mentioned in the Torah.

    The number seventy represents the seventy archetypal nations and languages. These are said to be the seventy descendants of Noah, who were dispersed throughout the world after the fall of the Tower of Babel.

    The number seventy denotes spirituality, signifying the seventy names of God. These are interpreted to be the seventy faces or dimensions of God as revealed to Moses” (“Ayin”).

    Hebrew4Christians mentions that the letter ‘Ayin’ means ‘eyes’ and “the two eyes represent the choice or the actions of the will (i.e. the heart). We can choose whether to use the good eye or the evil eye to perceive things; we can choose to see the glass as half full rather than half empty” (“Ayin”).

    “A person is said to be ‘olam katan’, a miniature world. The eye reflects the world outside and reveals the whole world inside. A person’s outlook reveals their inner character. This is part of what Jesus meant when He said, “The eye is the light of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, but if your eye is evil, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!” (Matt. 6:22-23)” (“Ayin”).

    Finally, we’ll touch on the gematria. Ayin’s gematria is 16, 17, 70 and 130, with 70 being the commonly referenced number. Following is information from Hebrew4Christians:

    “Of particular interest, however, is the number 70, since it occurs frequently within Scripture and Jewish tradition. In Scripture, we read that 70 souls went into Egypt, 70 elders of Israel saw the God of Israel on Mt. Sinai, 70 sacrifices made for the nations (during the festival of Sukkot), and Israel was subject to 70 years of exile in Babylon. In Jewish tradition, there are 70 members of the Sanhedrin, 70 words of Kaddish, 70 “faces of Torah”, 70 Names of God, and 70 birth pangs until the coming of Mashiach” (“Ayin”).

    Works Cited

    “Ayin”. BJE: Your Jewish Journey. NSW Board of Jewish Education, https://bje.org.au/knowledge-centre/jewish-languages/hebrew-alphabet/ayin/ , Accessed 13 July 2025.

    “Ayin”. Hebrew4Christians. John J. Parsons, https://bje.org.au/knowledge-centre/jewish-languages/hebrew-alphabet/ayin/, Accessed 13 July 2025.

    Henry, Matthew. “Psalm 119.” Matthew Henry’s Commentary On the Whole Bible: New Modern Edition. Volume 3, Hendrickson Publishers, Inc., March 1996.

    Holy Bible: Giant Print with Study Aids. Dugan Publishers, Inc., 1984.

    © 2025 Angela Hormberg

  • Psalm 119:Samech or Samekh

    Psalm 119:Samech or Samekh

    Part 15:Samech or Samekh verses 113-120

    The fifteenth part is Samech or Samekh, which is the fifteenth letter of the Hebrew alphabet.

    The following information is from the website BJE:Your Jewish Journey.

    “The letter SAMECH equals the number sixty in Hebrew numerology. Its circular form is symbolic of the endless cycle of life.

    The letter SAMECH is a symbol of support and protection. This is inferred by its all-encompassing shape, and asserted by its meaning: ‘support’.

    The letter SAMECH is one of the only two fully closed letters of the Hebrew alphabet, the other being the letter mem in final form.

    SAMECH stands for soolam, meaning ‘ladder’, a key symbol in Jewish mysticism (Kabbalah), referring to one’s inner journey.

    The number sixty represents completeness. This is due to it being the greater part of the number one hundred, which signifies perfection.

    The circular shape of the letter SAMECH alludes to the wedding ring, with all its symbolism” (“Samech”).

    The point about the circular shape is very interesting. I found more information about that on the Hebrew4Christians website.

    “According to the Chaz’l (sages), Samekh is said to represent the endless and ever ascending spiral of God’s glory in the universe. This cycle is hinted at in the divine (seder) of creation, and is revealed in both the seasons and in the rhythm of the Jewish mo’deim (festivals)” (“Samekh”).

    Works Cited

    Henry, Matthew. “Psalm 119.” Matthew Henry’s Commentary On the Whole Bible: New Modern Edition. Volume 3, Hendrickson Publishers, Inc., March 1996.

    Holy Bible: Giant Print with Study Aids. Dugan Publishers, Inc., 1984.

    “Samech”. BJE: Your Jewish Journey. NSW Board of Jewish Education, https://bje.org.au/knowledge-centre/jewish-languages/hebrew-alphabet/samech/ , Accessed 5 July 2025.

    “Samekh”. Hebrew4Christians. John J. Parsons. accessed 5 July 2025.

    © 2025 Angela Hormberg

  • Psalm 119:Nun

    Psalm 119:Nun

    Part 14:Nun verses 105-112

    The fourteenth part is Nun, which is the fourteenth letter of the Hebrew alphabet.

    The following information is from the website BJE:Your Jewish Journey or Hebrew4Christians

    “The letter NUN has a numerical value of fifty, and is the symbol of faithfulness.

    There are two forms of the letter NUN: the bent one and the elongated one. The long NUN is only used at the end of a word.

    The Hebrew word for soul (neshamah), and candle (ner) both begin with the letter NUN.

    The Hebrew word for faithful one, ne’eman, is signified by the letter NUN.

    In Aramaic NUN means ‘fish’, symbolic of fertility because they multiply rapidly.

    The number fifty signifies the fifty days of the counting of the Omer, from the first day of Passover to the first day of Shavuot” (“Nun”, BJE).

    Hebrew4Christians also notes that Nun represents faithfulness, but they note that Nun also represents “the reward for faithfulness” (“Nun”) and quote James 4:10, “Humble yourself in the sight of the Lord, and He shall lift you up”. Further, Hebrew4Christians expands on the gematria of Nun,

    “According to Jewish gematria, Nun represents the number 50 – a number representing freedom and fullness of life.

    • 50 days from the Exodus to the giving of the Torah (50 days for the count of the Omer)
    • 50 years for a Jubilee Year (yovel)
    • 50 references to Exodus in the Torah
    • 50 years of age before one has wisdom

    Works Cited

    Henry, Matthew. “Psalm 119.” Matthew Henry’s Commentary On the Whole Bible: New Modern Edition. Volume 3, Hendrickson Publishers, Inc., March 1996.

    Holy Bible: Giant Print with Study Aids. Dugan Publishers, Inc., 1984.

    “Nun”. BJE: Your Jewish Journey. NSW Board of Jewish Education, https://bje.org.au/knowledge-centre/jewish-languages/hebrew-alphabet/nun/ , Accessed 29 June 2025.

    “Nun”. Hebrew4Christians. John J. Parsons, https://www.hebrew4christians.com/Grammar/Unit_One/Aleph-Bet/Nun/nun.html, Accessed 29 June 2025.

    © 2025 Angela Hormberg

  • Psalm 119: Mem

    Psalm 119: Mem

    Part 13:Mem verses 97-104

    The thirteenth part is Mem, which is the thirteenth letter of the Hebrew alphabet.

    The following information is from the website BJE:Your Jewish Journey.

    “The letter MEM begins and ends the word mayim (water), signifying the lifeforce.

    In Jewish thought, the number forty represents the span of time necessary for things to come into fruition in nature. The forty years in which the Jewish people wandered in the desert.

    The number forty also signifies the meaning of the mikveh (Jewish ritual cleansing bath), which must be forty seah (a unit of measure) deep” (“Mem”).

    Hebrew4Christians defines Mem as water, but adds a bit more to the definition.

    “Traditionally, Mem has several related meanings: “waters”, “people”, “nations”, “languages”, and “tongues”. The name of the letter probably signifies water itself, and its most ancient [written] forms bore a resemblance to the waves of waters. As such, Mem represents the sea of Torah, the ocean of Talmud, knowledge, wisdom, etc.

    Works Cited

    Henry, Matthew. “Psalm 119.” Matthew Henry’s Commentary On the Whole Bible: New Modern Edition. Volume 3, Hendrickson Publishers, Inc., March 1996.

    Holy Bible: Giant Print with Study Aids. Dugan Publishers, Inc., 1984.

    “Mem”. BJE: Your Jewish Journey. NSW Board of Jewish Education, https://bje.org.au/knowledge-centre/jewish-languages/hebrew-alphabet/mem/ , Accessed 26 June 2025.

    “Mem”. Hebrew4Christians. John J. Parsons. https://www.hebrew4christians.com/Grammar/Unit_One/Aleph-Bet/Mem/mem.html, Accessed 26 June 2025

    © 2025 Angela Hormberg