Gematria Across Cultures: A Comparative Study

Hebrew Gematria

The most well-known system, Hebrew gematria assigns numerical values to the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet. Multiple calculation methods exist within this tradition, each revealing different layers of meaning in texts.

Greek Isopsephy

The Greek equivalent to gematria, isopsephy assigns numerical values to Greek letters. This practice influenced early Christian mysticism and can be found in texts like the Book of Revelation with its famous "666" reference.

Arabic Abjad

In Islamic traditions, the Abjad system assigns numerical values to Arabic letters. This has been used in Sufi mysticism, astronomy, and various divinatory practices throughout the Islamic world.

English Systems

Various English gematria systems have developed in modern times, from simple ordinal values (A=1, B=2, etc.) to more complex systems that incorporate mathematical principles from older traditions.

Cross-Cultural Patterns

Despite their different origins, these systems share remarkable similarities in application and purpose. All seek to reveal hidden connections between words and concepts, suggesting a universal human tendency to find meaning in numerical patterns.