Gematria Systems Overview
Explore the major gematria systems and learn how each assigns numerical values to Hebrew letters.
Mispar Hechrachi (Standard Value)
The most commonly used system, also called Mispar Ragil. Letters are assigned values in groups: Aleph–Tet (1–9), Yod–Tsadi (10–90), Qof–Tav (100–400). This is the default system used in most classical sources.
Example: אהבה (Ahavah — Love)
א(1) + ה(5) + ב(2) + ה(5) = 13. The same value as אחד (Echad — One), expressing the unity within love.
Mispar Katan (Reduced Value)
Each letter's value is reduced to a single digit by removing zeros. Yod (10) becomes 1, Kaf (20) becomes 2, and so on up to Tav (400) becoming 4. This simplification highlights root numerical patterns across words.
Use case
Mispar Katan is useful for finding connections between words that differ in magnitude but share a reduced root value, pointing to shared spiritual essence.
Mispar Siduri (Ordinal Value)
Letters are assigned their position in the alphabet: Aleph = 1, Bet = 2, … Tav = 22. This system emphasizes sequential relationships and is often used in combination with other systems to corroborate findings.
Comparison
While standard gematria gives Tav a value of 400, ordinal gives it 22 — highlighting its role as the final, completing letter of the alphabet.
Mispar Gadol (Large Value)
Identical to standard gematria but assigns higher values to the five final (sofit) letter forms: Final Kaf = 500, Final Mem = 600, Final Nun = 700, Final Pe = 800, Final Tsadi = 900. This system is used in Kabbalistic texts to emphasize words ending with final letters.
Key difference
The same word can have a different total under Mispar Gadol if it contains a final letter form — which can unlock additional layers of interpretation.