About Gematria

Exploring the ancient art of alphanumeric wisdom
What is Gematria?
Gematria is an alphanumeric code where letters and words are assigned numerical values. The practice originated in ancient cultures and has been used in various mystical traditions, particularly in Jewish Kabbalah, but also appears in Greek, Arabic, and other linguistic systems.
Example: In Hebrew gematria, the word "חי" (chai, meaning "life") has a value of 18, making 18 a spiritually significant number in Jewish tradition.

Historical Origins
The word "gematria" likely derives from the Greek word "geometria" (geometry), though some scholars suggest it comes from the Greek "grammateia" (grammar). The practice dates back thousands of years, with evidence of its use in ancient Mesopotamia, Greece, and throughout the Mediterranean world.
In Jewish tradition, gematria became a significant hermeneutic tool for biblical interpretation around the 1st century CE. It was extensively developed by Kabbalists during the medieval period and continues to be used in mystical Jewish studies today.
Major Gematria Systems
Hebrew Gematria Systems
The most common system where each Hebrew letter has a specific value (Aleph=1, Bet=2, etc.)
Try Hebrew GematriaCounts the value of the spelled-out name of each letter
Reduces all values to single digits
Try Reduced GematriaAssigns values based on a letter's position in the alphabet
English Gematria Systems
A=1, B=2, C=3, etc.
Try Simple GematriaSimilar to Simple but with different counting methods
Try English GematriaReduces values to single digits (1-9)
Reverses the standard alphanumeric assignment
Try Reversed EnglishApplications of Gematria

Throughout history, gematria has been used for various purposes:
- Biblical Exegesis: Finding hidden meanings and connections in sacred texts
- Mystical Practices: Meditation, prayer, and spiritual development
- Divination: Predicting events or gaining insight into the future
- Literary Analysis: Uncovering layers of meaning in texts
- Personal Growth: Finding significance in names and important words
Modern Relevance
Today, gematria continues to fascinate scholars, mystics, and language enthusiasts. It offers a unique lens through which to view language, combining mathematical precision with linguistic and spiritual exploration. Digital tools like GematriaLab make this ancient practice accessible to everyone, allowing for deeper exploration of numerical patterns in language.
Gematria in Practice
Using gematria involves converting letters to numbers, adding these values, and interpreting the results. Words or phrases with the same numerical value are considered to have meaningful connections. This practice reveals hidden relationships between seemingly unrelated concepts and offers insights that might not be apparent through conventional reading.
Reference Tables
To better understand the letter-to-number correspondences in various systems, check out our detailed reference tables:
View Jewish Gematria TableExplore Gematria Systems
Jewish Gematria

Based on Hebrew alphanumerics with deep roots in Kabbalah
English Gematria

Modern alphanumeric system applied to the English alphabet
Simple Gematria

Straightforward calculation ideal for beginners
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