How does a gematria calculator work?

gematria calculators have been used for centuries to decode hidden meanings and coded messages. The gematria calculator works by taking letters from the Hebrew alphabet and assigning numerical values to them. Once the values are assigned, users calculate words and phrases by adding up the numeric value of all the letters in a word or phrase, which is then compared with other words or phrases associated with the same or similar numerical value.

The first recorded examples of gematria use were ancient Jews who used it to interpret and elaborate on divine text of the Torah. In Jewish culture, much emphasis is placed upon letters, numbers and words. Gematria was used to study various philosophical topics such as Theology, Mysticism, Astrology, Kabbalah (Jewish Mysticism). As a result of its application in these areas, gematria quickly spread throughout the Jewish world and even eventually infiltrated into Christian communities.

When performing calculations using a gematria calculator one must set up a grid system from which to plug in each individual letter's equivalent number value. For example in Hebrew 'Alef' is equivalent to number '1', 'Bet' is number '2' and so on up until 'Taf' which is number '400'.

There are several different ways one can work out a final numerical value for a given word or phrase; one way is to sum all letter values together which will give you what we call a "dead reckoning." For example if we were to calculate the numerical value for:

בְּרֵכָה = 212 = Beth (2) + Resh (200) + Kaf (20) + Hey (10) = 212

Another method involves assigning each word with its own individual numerical value based off its relative order in the Hebrew alphabet; an example of this calculation technique would be: אֱלֹהִים = 86 = Alef(1) + Lamed(30) + Vav(6) + Hey(5) + Yud(10) + Mem(40) = 92 Alternatively many software programs have been developed that fulfill this same purpose faster than manually plugging in each letter individually into your grid system. Whichever method you select be sure however not to overlook any calculations such as adding spaces between words etc., as this could change your entire final result significantly!