Gematria

Etymology

Classical scholars agree that the Hebrew word gematria was derived from the Greek word γεωμετρία geōmetriā, "geometry",^[6] though some scholars believe it to derive from Greek γραμματεια grammateia "knowledge of writing".

It is likely that both Greek words had an influence on the formation of the Hebrew word.^[7][1] Some hold it to derive from the order of the Greek alphabet, gamma being the third letter of the Greek alphabet ("gamma tria").^[6]

The word has been extant in English since at least the 17th century from translations of works by Giovanni Pico della Mirandola.

It is largely used in Jewish texts, notably in those associated with the Kabbalah.

Neither the concept nor the term appears in the Hebrew Bible itself.^[1]