Notaricon: Meanings of the Alefbet

 

The letters of the alefbet are the nexus between the Tree of Life and the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. To the degree we perceive language to be primarily denotative and rooted in the tangible things of this world, we partake of the lesser tree. To the degree we perceive the connotative and transforming dimensions of language by its use of allusion to the principles underlying creation, we are partaking of the higher tree that leads to life eternal.

Notaricon is the art of reading Hebrew word forms not as sound cues pointing to specific meanings, but as graphic statements of interacting principles. Letters are read as words and phrases. To the degree traditional sound meanings are supported by notaricon, those meanings are valid. To the degree sound meanings are unsupported by notaricon, those meanings must be acknowledge to be inventions of man. For comparison of what is offered here with traditional views of the Hebrew alefbet, I recommend Rabbi Ginsburgh's presentation at The Inner-Dimension website. Significations of the Paleo-Hebrew script are also found at the screens beginning at http://www.bethashem.org/ketav.html, a site with many additional language resources.

Like Torah, the letters are written within and without-- that is, they have their interior and exterior significances, as well as their positive and negative aspects. The lines of the letters and the blank spaces within and around the letters all have lessons for us.

The basic meanings listed below are used in the Paleo-Hebrew Hypertext dictionary. The list is by no means definitive; for meanings of letters involve much more than their shapes, as each letter enjoys various positionings within the Crown Diamond and Adam Kadmon, with correspondences to both the human body and to the greater cosmos. Before we can progress to the higher notaricon implied by the positionings on the Tree of Life, however, we must first restore foundational understandings of language.

A PDF version of the following notaricon tables is available for dowload. You will do well to add your own understandings as time goes by. To view the meanings for each letter online, click on the alefbet links below.

 

 Aleph 1, 1,000

Alef 1st

outward projection
ox; horns; to emanate, protrude; to explode, burst; anger, beligerance; vigor, virility, fecundity, physical vitality; power, force, ability; propulsion; to scatter; disorder, animosity; thousand, thousand-fold; increase, expansion, growth; harvest; to implicate; humanity; attentiveness; shock, reaction; bellows; apprehension

contraction
one; central point; atom, monad; small, miniscule; humble, contrite; to lessen; restricted, compacted, consolidated; condensation, diminishment, reduction; to wrap, bind, tie; to capture, corner, box in; to squeeze; friction; to transect, intersect, intervene; to settle, decide

foremost
chief, head, leader, lord; principality; master; champion; familiar, confidante, friend

to focus
to fix upon; side view of the eye; to examine, to identify; triangulation; augury, divination, sorcery; area; self, ego; person

seed
concept, idea, principle; beginning, cause; planting; conception, germination; sperm; impetus

the priesthood
to meditate; introspection, self-awareness; inspiration; renewal; to school, train; to learn; ability; pride, self-centeredness, mania

 
 

Beit 2

Bet 2nd

house
home, habitat, habitation; establishment, household; family, kin, tribe, peer group; parochial; building, construction; form, manifestation; body, shell, exterior; superficiality; flesh; child, fetus; soul as house of the spirit; interior; receptacle, repository; to store, retain

ear
hearing; to listen; reception, interiorization; consciousness, awareness; passivity; inertia

to pair
accept; to embrace, hold; to agree, match; image; scoop; to adopt, take in, domesticate, tame, acclimate; to tuck, hide, conceal

to develop
to implement, formulate, build; formation

means
in, of, by

spiral
to recoil; segmentation; among

 
 

Gimmel 3

Gimel 3rd

camel
to carry, transport, transmit, facilitate; process, procedure

to lift
hoe; to weed, cull; hump, hill, incline; inclination; arise, ascend, sprout; perpetuality; to approach, reach, go beyond; excess

neck
throat; vocalization; to swallow, drink; conduit, avenue; a crevice, canal

canal
the umbilical; to tangle, entangle; the birth process; bowels, nervous system; waves

angle
elbow, knee, ankle, wrist; to fold, bend, deposit; to trip, stumble, dive; to walk, step, kick; to hurl, throw

recompense
to repay, render; vengeance; bitterness

 
 

Dalet 4

Dalet 4th

door
passageway; entrance, exit; gateway, bridge; access, opening, opportunity

obstacle
blockage, impediment, cover; partition, division

nostril
secret chamber; vagina; heart; tent; to dwell, occupy

perception
insight; to look, investigate; to notice; attention

to shine
pervade; emotions; fervor; yoga; to sit, take position

arrowhead
pointed; pyramid; burial vault; security, refuge

 
 

Hei 5

He 5th

light
stars; illumination; enlightenment, revelation; instantaneous

life
animation, aura; heat; she, her

rake
winnowing fan; to differentiate, distinguish, discern; examination; to separate; to gather, distribute; to collect, disperse, proliferate; affiliation; to cull, shed; to discredit

to blaze
sparkle; noteriety; to highlight, emphasize, point out, indicate; the definite article

fingers
toes, claws; to comb; to fan, exacerbate

wind
rain, showers; evaporation, precipitation; to leak, drip, diffuse; to disolve; weeping; catharsis

to catch
capture, isolate; rows, ranks, columns; options, choices

 
 

Vav 6

Waw 6th

yoke
link, bond, nexus; longing; conjunction; and, or, but; to join, bond, unify; unity

scales
balance; to weigh, consider, evaluate, judge; to administer, adjudicate; to adjust, rectify; to struggle, contend, dispute; to yield, abandon; equilibrium, peace; passion, compassion; emotional vitality

hook
nail, pin, fastener; to adhere, clasp; to encounter; attached; harness, reins; to be suspended; limbo

cradle
to uphold, coddle; chair, seat, throne; to fly, soar, glide, hover; to pivot; to contract, expand; to stretch, broaden, proliferate, intensify, emphasize; lungs; abdomen, navel

to yearn
to worship, adore; offering; breast, teat; outpouring; milk; chalice, cup; mercy; maternity; womb

nose
thumb, big toe; crutch; socket; shackles

funnel
to fuel, reinforce; tornado; to drain; judgment; to negotiate, merge, converge; fulcrum; he, him

 
 

Zayin 7

Zayin 7th

weapon
sword, knife, dart, javelin, arrow, spear, armament; to arm, prepare; foe, warrior; to be abusive, harmful; strength

thrust
penetration, suffusion; roots; to wound; antagonism, opposition; to split, sever; schism; lightning; curse

pen
words, laws, instruments; to mark, shape, make, sculpt; to carve; to plan; masculine

wing
feather, pinion; bird; to hang, dangle; to stand out

perfection
regeneration, healing; deliverance; goal, aim; rest, shabbat

to complete
finish; ejaculation; to submerge, bury; underground; to subside

 
 

Chet 8

Chet 8th

ladder
means to reach new plateaus; to climb, elevate; ascension, descension; depression; fatigue; anxiety, fear; strife, confrontation, discord; to change, repent; to enhance, better

covenant
agreement, affinity, harmony; relationship; equality; to honor, celebrate; joy, elation

work
labor, effort, service, assignment; engagements

to provide
care, help, assist; to amass; commitment

window
outlook, perspective; borders

torso
stretched; chariot; to distance

loom
weaving; interrelationships; to correspond; exchange

 
 

Tet 9

Tet 9th

basket
to collect, assemble; community, town; dwelling area; network; cave, lair

union
resolution of opposites; harmonization of disparate forces; to fortify, strengthen, reinforce; to come together, adhere; fertilization

target
shield; shelter, refuge, safety; to hide, conceal; to bind, cover, bury; captivity, restraint; to cage, jail, keep, lock up; pen, stall; to limit, inhibit; to circumvent; spell, enchantment

operational stages
sequences, patterns, arrangements; segmentations; to break apart, hold together

truth
security, trust; obedience; dependence, mutuality; integration; interchange

 
 

5 Yud 10

Yod 10th

hand
reaching (wrist and cupped fingers); giving, receiving; sharing; to bring, take; to catch, grab, pick; to touch, feel; to reach, fondle; to rob, steal, deplenish; to release, give up, let go, part with, dispense with

to incite
entice, tempt; to shove, rush; to accumulate, appropriate; to act; means of attainment; duration, stamina

action
activity; to kindle; to present; presentation; redress; to kneel, pay homage; obeisance

blessing
fullness, fortune; expedience; possession, ownership; assertion, intervention; my, mine

to write
inscribe; inscription

 
 

final, 500 Kaf 20

Kaf 11th

trident
pitchfork; reaping; broad path, crooked way; tree of the knowledge of good and evil

tree
branch; offspring; tribes; leaves; productivity, fruitfulness

extensions
antlers; spoon; handle; extremity; to make evident, brandish; conspicuous

bent
curved, concave, hollow; inversion; perverse, twisted; palm of hand; sole of foot; to applaud, rejoice

teachings
doctrines, coverings; persuasion, coercion

rock
cliff, crag; to upend, overthrow; upheaval; to undermine, sabatoge

to realign
to simplify, amalgamate, restructure; to complicate, obfuscate

 
 

Lamed 30

Lamed 12th

goad
rod, staff; penis; arm, wrist; leg and foot; finger; bone; tongue, nose

to instruct
teacher, instructor; to point, indicate, order; to guide, steer; course, direction; to argue, aver; to prove; schooled, taught

beard
elder; maturity; role, influence

to test
prod, encourage; ambition; to accuse, indict; to defend, prevent

to refrain
to chastise, correct, punish; to cease, stop; to discourage, inhibit, afflict; malice

to change directions
reconsider; to redirect, deflect, change; evasive; to, towards

 
 

final, 600 Mem 40

Mem 13th

fluids
water; semen; soft, cleansing, refreshing; to flow; to be swift; to pour, fill; oil; anointing; to be chosen; preference; favoritism

to mirror
reflect, return; to invoke, allude; message; wisdom's attributes

to disturb
befuddle, confuse; to trouble; wild, reckless; wilderness; scorpion

to release
free, unlock, unleash; relaxed; unrestricted, unfettered; uncategorical; to disburse, pay; to lose; to loosen, divorce; to draw out, empty; superficial; derivation; from

peoples
multitudes; nation; multiplication

the thigh
buttox; to cawl, creep; to ambush; to coil; scorpion; to crawl, creep, scurry

 
 

final, 700 Nun 50

Nun 14th

fish
serpent, frog; scaled species; to slither, swim; to nibble, gnaw; to scurry; to tumble, catapult; Son of Man symbol; man, woman, person

to sprout
spread, proliferate; to display, implement; method; device; configuration

potential
potentiality, fertility; desire, determination; to vow; ritual; purpose; scope, weight; interior application/action

to reverse
restrict, backtrack, subside; to decline, degenerate, deplete; denial; to withdraw, suck, filter; to leach; loss, exhaustion; prostrated

to take in
to exchange; augmentation; gain

to shine
flourish; multifacteted, multidirectional; flexibility; prominence, endurance; jubilee

 
 

 

Samech 60

Samek 15th

pillar
tower, fortress; fortification, shelter; united branches; tree of life; spine, skeleton; hair; herb, bush, brush; frayed

dependable
responsible, consistent, competent; reliance, trust; to lean upon; empowerment; to enforce, demand, require

alert
to bristle, emote; to spread out; overextended; dimensions

fiber
skin, integument; framework, construction, arrangement

upholds
supports, bears; to authorize, encourage; steadfastness, stability, security; hiding place, confinement

concentric
seasons, cycles, years, days; progressions

 
 

Ain 70

Ayin 16th

understanding
comprehension, compassion

eye
pupil; sight; body openings; to view, discern; prophecy; to enlighten; visage, look, appearance

illuminated
brightness; to be clear, keen, transparent; irridesence; to glow, gleam; jewels, fortune; penetrating vision; to consider, think, reflect upon, ponder

chest cavity
bud, loop; boundary; depth; reception, attentiveness

to circumscribe
circumsize, circle, surround; to overwhelm; sated, saturated

transference
hate, hostility, jealousy; rage, arrogance, boastfulness

well
spring, fountain; pool, body of water; crater, hole; depth

 
 

final, 800 Pei 80

Pe 17th

face
jaw, mouth, lip; to eat, partake, devour; to consume; personality; physiognomy, appearance; to appear, manifest; fruit; soul as expression of spirit

breath
inhale, exhale; to blow, puff; to disperse, disseminate; voice, speech; utterance, pronouncement, order, command; expression, saying; manner, style

container
scoop; pit, chasm; stomach

edge
border, side, region; corner, extremity, end; lock of hair, sideburn; here, hence

to open
to close; permit, restrict; allow, disallow

 
 

final, 900 Tsadik 90

Tsade 18th

side
lateral; the lifted leg

transformation
metamorphosis; to correct, change

to hunt
to chase, pursue, follow; to attempt, try; to issue forth; flight, escape; to flee; swarm, insect; host, army; defense; military; battle, victory, conquest; to defy; to attack, be aggressive; suppression; to devastate, overturn; to diverge

righteousness
innocent, just, upright, pious, right; sacrifice

to ward off
defend, exorcise; acquittal; to fear, salute; to wander, stray; to turn, revolve, spin

to dance
leap; to turn, rotate; order, organization, accomplishment; success

 
 

Kuf 100

Qof 19th

kingdom
domain, realm; to protect, cover, control; priest's cap, crown; back of head; ape (faceless man); skull; brain and spinal column

dedicated
a specialist; to confer, confirm; to alight upon; vibration; ripples; to blossom

sky
corona, dome, vault; boat

shadow
to mask, hide, occlude; shade tree; smoke; sanctification, purification, holiness, consecration, spiritual separation, distinguishment

bow and arrow
to push, propel; to drain, siphon, empty; drill; harp

 
 

Reish 200

Resh 20th

head
king, ruler, leader, instigator, determinator; overseer, guide; chief component; top, main, primary; shoulder; assertive; to rule, command; competence; decisive; individual

fountainhead
source, start; tributary; mountain, crest, height, summit, peak; domination; eminent, lofty, proud

blade
axe, shovel; to chop, chisel, mark; to cleave, sever, remove; to desiccate; to adjure, urge, persuade; to threaten

mind
thought, knowledge, intelligence; to watch, regard; to signal; to happen, occur

honor
discretion; beauty, devotion, reverence; to be noble, graceful; to sail; to rise, fall

 
 

Shin 300

Shin 21st

tooth
tusk; ivory; claw, paw; to bite, tear, rend, maul; to explore, shatter, destroy, decimate; to undermine; to eat, consume, assimilate; a meal

fire
angel; wisdom; sun; glory; spirit; dream, vision

utilization
application; to knead, afflict, suppress; to widen; to excite, stimulate, energize; buoyancy; to float; to loft, raise; to lift

strength
to wrestle, struggle, fight, contend; to loathe, hate, despise

to vent
to urinate; elimination; buttox; repetitive, monotonous

to wobble
vary; to shake. tickle; to be upset, bothered, disturbed, agitated; weakness, fraility, vulnerability; illness; sleep, death

saw
correlation of above with below; to juggle, jiggle, wiggle, wobble

 
 

 

Tav 400

Taw 22nd

mark
signature; characteristic; sign, feature; cross, weather vane; fence; to partition; four corneres, directions; to encounter, meet

continuum
infinity, sum, totality; wholeness; to measure, measurement

renewal
regeneration, continuation, resurrection; addition; endurance; perpetuality, futurity

to cancel
obliterate, alter, change; to resist, forbid; hex

to pinch
to bite; to cooperate; an intersection, encounter; to meet, confront; to oppose; to corner, locate; stalemate, loggerheads

 

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