11.3 Notes and footnotes use symbols for numbers

This section is presented for information only

• You may come across a system of counting that uses numerical values for each of the Hebrew letters
  • א ב ג ד ה ו ז ח ט represent 1-9
  • י כ ל מ נ ס ע פ צ represent 10-90 by tens
  • So to say 33, would be 30 and 3 = לג or often ל״ג, with the ״ indicating that this is not a real word
• ק ר ש ת are 100, 200, 300, and 400,
• Finally, we use the sofit forms ך ם ן ף ץ for 500-900
• In some reckonings, a series of dots or diamonds above the letters, or ’ is used for numbers above 999. For example, 1000 is ’א
• Below is how a Hebrew reference might say “Genesis 1:1”
  • בראשית פרק א
  • This means “Genesis Chapter 1”
• Next, note the diminished א indicating “1” for the first verse