What is gematria used for

gematria is an ancient system of number-letter association where words and phrases are assigned numerical values to uncover hidden meanings in texts. The origins of Gematria can be traced back to Babylonian and Hebrew cultures, and it has been used throughout religious, theological, and mystical texts and writings.

In Judaism, Gematria is mainly used as a method of textual analysis in order to interpret the Bible. By assigning a numerical value to each letter of the Hebrew alphabet, Jewish scholars can ascribe deeper layers of meaning from the rabbinic literature. Many pieces of religious literature contain figurative language, analogies, and metaphors which can be difficult to interpret on face value. This system builds upon the symbolism inherent in many religious texts by connecting base numbers to words or phrases in order to expand their potential interpretations. For example, there is a tradition in Judaism that certain words spelled out with the same numerical value have a special relationship or meaning together.

In some instances, Gematria is believed to contain prophetic or divine messages it its numerical combinations, providing insights into biblical events or prophecies yet-to-come. Such interpretations were highly sought after by the Jewish community centuries ago as a means of understanding God's will for them more clearly.