How gematria works

gematria is an ancient form of numerology that links numbers to letters and words. It's believed to have originated in the ancient Hebrew language, although many other languages have adopted it over the years. This system assigns numerical equivalents to letters of the alphabet and then uses those values to interpret the meaning or essence of words or phrases. Many believe that gematria can be used to decode hidden messages in sacred texts, and some have even claimed it can be used as a way of divining the future.

At its core, gematria is based on associating numbers with letters. For example, in Hebrew, each letter has a numerical equivalent as follows: A = 1, B = 2, C = 3 and so on up through Z = 26. Each word is interpreted by assigning numbers to each of its letters and adding them together. So for example, the word "peace" would be written PEACE (P=16, E=5, A=1, C=3, E=5) for a total of 30.

The exact interpretation of a given sum depends on the context in which it appears. In some cases the sum may reveal hidden meanings if related words share either a similar value or one with similar sounds. It's also possible to break down words into smaller components known as linguistic roots and compare those values to see what they reveal about them word's meaning or purpose.

An important part of understanding gematria is knowledge of alternate forms known as "substitutions"—swapping one letter for another with an equal numerical value—further deepening its ability to uncover hidden secrets or meaningful messages from text or speech. It can also be used in reverse by ascribing values to numbers (such as creating a shorthand way of calling people using their birth dates), adding yet another dimension to this mysterious practice.