A literary device of writers using ancient languages was the use of Gematria. Gematria is the practice of assigning value to each letter of the alphabet; this approach was practiced and accepted by both the Hebrew and Greek early writers. When the numbers of the individual alphabets that made a word are added together in a certain fashion that create an encrypted meaning then Gematria is present and significant in the analysis and interpretative efforts.
Professional Theologists will speak so often about this literary device because it is connected to the popular, sensational, judgmental, and futuristic secular crowds that are watching closely for the Apocalypse and End of the World to come. Everyone, spiritual and natural folk, know about the number 666 that is found in Revelation 13:11-18.
"11 And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon. 12 And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. 13 And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, 14 And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live. 15 And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. 16 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: 17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. 18 Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six."
Modern-day social activities, especially among the rebellious youth and sub-cultures that celebrate odd and shocking behaviors, are especially prone to displaying the number 666 in tattoos on their bodies, and in their entertainment venues. It is such a prevalent “shocker” today, that the attention may one day disappear totally, as the shock value wears away. The general modern-day interest into End Time things also brings common focus to this well-known number.
But even religious folk have questions about that number 666. Why did the LORD God identify that specific number within the prophecy of Revelation written by John? It is apparent that the number is exact and specific; it is also apparent by its inclusion that Gematria should be a literary device that is considered by interpreters in analyzing the deepest mysteries of God’s Word. That need for Gematria to be consider in interpretation gives Professional Theologists another confirmed and specific technique that charges their effort in the exciting realm of hidden and deeper meanings given to them by the Lord.
The popular “number” lists taken from Scripture is not the same thing as Gematria. Many like to talk about God’s favorite number “7”, or the number “12” having some sort of significance. Number considerations in interpretation are sometimes handy. However, Gematria does not cover this type of use of numbers. Gematria is strictly regulated to the specific alphabet numbers only.
Dr. Heiser gives a wonderful example of Jesus’ baptism in John 1:32. The word for “dove” in Greek is peristeran, which has the numerical equivalent of 801. The first letter of the Greek Alphabet “Alpha” and the last letter of the Greek Alphabet “Omega” total 801 also. Heiser points to this number as a cryptic number included by John to signify that Christ was the Alpha and Omega with the use of Gematria to prove it.
Check out this Gematria list for the number assignment for Hebrew and Greek Letters (It should be noted that the marks signifying 6 and 90 were not used as letters in New Testament times):
Hebrew Letters
א = 1 ה = 5 ט = 9 מ = 40 פ = 80 ש = 300 ב = 2 ו = 6 י = 10 נ = 50 צ = 90 ת = 400 ג = 3 ז = 7 כ = 20 ס = 60 ק = 100 ד = 4 ח = 8 ל = 30 ע = 70 ר = 200
Greek Letters
Α α = 1 Ϝϝ= 6 Κ κ = 20 Ο ο = 70 Τ τ = 300 Ω ω = 800 Β β = 2 Ζ ζ = 7 Λ λ = 30 Π π = 80 Υ υ = 400 Γ γ = 3 Η η = 8 Μ μ = 40 Ϙ ϙ = 90 Φ φ = 500 Δ δ = 4 Θ θ = 9 Ν ν = 50 Ρ ρ = 100 Χ χ = 600 Ε ε = 5 Ι ι = 10 Ξ ξ = 60 Σ σ = 200 Ψ ψ = 700
The Jewish use the Kabbalah and their mystical traditions continue to practice the consideration of Gematria for the interpretation of their writings. It has fallen out of favor among Christian evangelism because numerology is often connected to magic and the occult. It has also been abused to name villains such as Nero, whose numbers add up to 666 when written in Hebrew, but whose identity is not supported by Scripture. The assignment of 888 to Greek “Jesus” (′Ιησογυς), and 14 for Hebrew “David” (דוד) are popular numbers that are studied today with a look for a deeper connection to God’s Word. Professional Theologists must take great care to avoid speculation or over-exaggeration of the importance of Gematria to their careful interpretative works. When Gematria enlightens properly, it is a wonderful connection to support God’s Truth. When it doesn’t fit, it tends to lead to despair and forced meaning. The same care given to establishing symbology and typology in God’s Word must be given in the case of Gematria investigation. This type of interpretative work should not be taught to young and immature Christians. The deeper mysteries found in Scripture should be the focus of educated, careful, mature Christian leaders who have been trained in the rules of interpretation and can effectively handle the Word of God.
Bibliography
Heiser, Michael S. BI101 Lecture Introducing Biblical Interpretation: Contexts and Resources : LOGOS Bible Software.
Powell, Mark Allan. Gematria Harpercollins Bible Dictionary, Edited by Mark Allan Powell. New York: HarperCollins, 2011.
Footnotes
Michael S. Heiser, Bi101 Lecture Introducing Biblical Interpretation: Contexts and Resources (LOGOS Bible Software), Segment 80.
Mark Allan Powell, Gematria, ed. Mark Allan Powell, Harpercollins Bible Dictionary (New York: HarperCollins, 2011), 316.
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About the Author
Kathy L. McFarland is President and Founder of Becker Bible Ministries, Inc. and the Becker Professional Theology Academy. She is also a Becker Bible Studies Teacher and author of Guided Bible Studies for Hungry Christians. She has received her Bachelor of Science degree in Religious Studies from Liberty University, is on track for the Master of Divinity (Professional Ministries Track) degree from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary & Graduate School in 2016 and will be seeking a Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Theology and Apologetics beginning in the fall of 2016. She is the originator of the newest theological movement to encourage Christian leaders to minister within the modern-day marketplace as Professional Theologists. She is also the Curriculum Developer for Becker Professional Theology Academy and a teaching faculty member. Kathy's favorite studies to teach include the connections between Old Testament exegesis, Christian Apologetics, and Bible typology and mysteries.
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