How to decode gematria

Gematria is a practice of assigning numerical value to words and phrases in order to uncover hidden meanings and discover spiritual truths. It is an ancient technique used in many religions and cultures, including ancient Israel, Greece, and Rome. Gematria has been around for thousands of years, but its applications are still being discovered today. If you are new to the practice of gematria and would like to learn how to decode its secrets, then this article is for you!

The first step in decoding gematria is to learn the basic numerology associated with it. Gematria assigns numerical values (known as "shinuyim") to each letter in the Hebrew alphabet (and occasionally other languages). For instance, Aleph (the first letter) = 1; Bet = 2; Gimel = 3; etc. Some letters also have double or triple the value of single letters: Tof= 400; Kaf = 20; Shin = 300; etc. This numerical system makes it easy to calculate the total value of a word or phrase.

Once you have a sense for how shinuyim work, you can begin decoding a word or phrase written in gematria by converting each letter into its assigned number and adding them all up. This gives you a "gematric number" which offers insight into the meaning of the word or phrase based on its underlying numerical meanings. For example, if we take the Hebrew word Chai (meaning life) which is spelled חי, we see that it has a gematric number of 18 since Chai= Chet+ Yud (8+10=18).

In some cases it may be necessary to break up larger numbers into smaller components that carry their own significance as well. For example, if we calculate the gematric number of Etz Chaim (the Tree of Life) which is spelled עץ חיים we get 711 which can be broken down into 7+1+1 = 9 - thus this tree carries with it a special significance related to numerology 9 such as spiritual completion or eternity.

The last step in decoding gematria is to interpret your results in light of traditional Jewish teachings about each individual number and its associated symbolism. Each numerological value has positive and negative connotations depending on context--for this reason it's best to consult an experienced rabbi who knows about gematria before reaching any conclusions about your results!

See more about gematria decoder