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<TH><B>Meaning (TWOTOT index)</B></TH>
<TH>Val</TH>
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<TD>Aleph</TD>
<TD>The root <SUB><IMG src="Bible_Commentary/plaatjes/108.GIF" alt="alap"></SUB> (<I>'alap</I> 108) is rare and means to learn or teach but perhaps not in a very good way (Prov 22:25, Job 15:5, 33:33, 35:11). The identical word <SUB><IMG src="Bible_Commentary/plaatjes/108.GIF" alt="alep"></SUB> (<I>'alep</I> 109) means to produce thousands (Ps 144:13 only). Derivation <SUB><IMG src="Bible_Commentary/plaatjes/108.GIF" alt="aleph"></SUB> (108a) means oxen (the connection lies perhaps in guidance/ couple). Many suggest that the letter reminds of the head of an ox.</TD>
<TD>1</TD>
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<TD>Beth</TD>
<TD>The word <IMG src="Bible_Commentary/plaatjes/241.GIF" alt="bayit">(<I>bayit</I> 241) means house in the sense of a building, but also household; wife and children. This word also serves to mean House Of The Lord, or Temple. As preposition the letter means 'in'. As such it is the first letter of the Bible. The first word of the Bible comes from the name of the 20th letter: <I>rosh</I>.</TD>
<TD>2</TD>
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<TD>Gimel</TD>
<TD>The verb <IMG src="Bible_Commentary/plaatjes/360.GIF" alt="gamal">(<I>gamal</I> 360) means to deal, or recompense in the sense of benefitting from. Derivation <IMG src="Bible_Commentary/plaatjes/360.GIF" alt="gamal"> (<I>gamal</I> 360d) means camel. It is said that the letter reminds of a camel's neck.</TD>
<TD>3</TD>
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<TD>Daleth</TD>
<TD>From root <IMG src="Bible_Commentary/plaatjes/431.GIF" alt="dala">(<I>dala</I> 431), draw (water). The word <IMG src="Bible_Commentary/plaatjes/431e.GIF" alt="delet"> (<I>delet</I> 431e) specifically denotes a swinging door of a building. Since doors most commonly opened inward, this 'thing-you-draw' is named after a going out of a house, or letting someone else in.<BR>
Other derivations are: <IMG src="Bible_Commentary/plaatjes/431a.GIF" alt="dal"> (<I>dal</I> 431a), door; <IMG src="Bible_Commentary/plaatjes/431.GIF" alt="dala"> (<I>dala</I> 431b), door; <IMG src="Bible_Commentary/plaatjes/431c.GIF" alt="dali"> (<I>dali</I> 431c), bucket; <IMG src="Bible_Commentary/plaatjes/431e.GIF" alt="daliyot"> (<I>daliyot</I> 431d), branch, bough.<BR>
Because a door in Bible times hinged in the upper corner, it is said that the letter <I>daleth</I> reminds of that.</TD>
<TD>4</TD>
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<TD>He</TD>
<TD>The spelling and thus the meaning of this word is uncertain. Klein spells <IMG src="Bible_Commentary/plaatjes/461.GIF" alt="he">(<I>he</I> 461), meaning lo! behold! Fuerst holds to <IMG src="Bible_Commentary/plaatjes/490.GIF" alt="he">, and thinks it's a part of the name for <I>heth</I>; letter 8. As prefix this letter serves as the definite particle, <I>the</I>, which is used far less than our word the, and specifically when an emphasis or reference to a previous statement is made.</TD>
<TD>5</TD>
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<TD>Waw</TD>
<TD>The word <IMG src="Bible_Commentary/plaatjes/520.GIF" alt="waw">(<I>waw</I> 520) means hook or peg, and is strictly reserved for the hooks/ pegs that kept the curtains of the tabernacle in place. It is said that the shape of the letter <I>waw</I> reminds of a hook or peg.</TD>
<TD>6</TD>
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<TD>Zayin</TD>
<TD>Meaning debated. The word <SUB><IMG src="Bible_Commentary/plaatjes/zayinn.GIF" alt="zayin"></SUB> does not occur in Scriptures. Klein suggests that the form of the <I>zayin</I> represents a hand weapon, and explains that <I>zyn</I> means arm, ornament, to arm, to adorn (no references to Scriptures). Fuerst goes after the assumed root <IMG src="Bible_Commentary/plaatjes/535.GIF" alt="zwz"> (<I>zwz</I> 535) of <IMG src="Bible_Commentary/plaatjes/535a.GIF" alt="ziz"> (<I>ziz</I> 523a), moving things (like animals) and <IMG src="Bible_Commentary/plaatjes/535b.GIF" alt="mezuza"> (<I>mezuza</I> 535b), doorpost. Root <IMG src="Bible_Commentary/plaatjes/535.GIF" alt="zww"> (<I>zww</I> 536)yields <IMG src="Bible_Commentary/plaatjes/535a.GIF" alt="ziz"> (<I>ziz</I> 536a) abundance, fullness.<BR>
Another word of interest is <SUB><IMG src="Bible_Commentary/plaatjes/539.GIF" alt="zun"></SUB> (zun 539), to feed.</TD>
<TD>7</TD>
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<TD>Heth</TD>
<TD>Meaning again unknown. According to Fuerst it means fence in, destroy. Fuerst also thinks it has to do with a fence, but it could equally possible be the symbol of stacking stones.</TD>
<TD>8</TD>
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<TD>Teth</TD>
<TD>Klein derives from <IMG src="Bible_Commentary/plaatjes/794.GIF" alt="twh"> (<I>twh</I> 794), spin, and renders <I>teth</I> to knot, knot together, to twist into each other, to interweave. The letter <I>teth</I> indeed looks like a little vortex or spiral.</TD>
<TD>9</TD>
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<TD>Yod</TD>
<TD>One of two regular words for hand (the other being the 11th letter). <IMG src="Bible_Commentary/plaatjes/844.GIF" alt="yad"> (<I>yad</I> 844) denotes the hand, typically not as outstretched, but rather as holding something or being a fist. The word is synonymous with power or might; to fall in one's hands. It's typical that the alphabet's smallest letter came to mean power, but perhaps it's shape reminded of a little fist.</TD>
<TD>10</TD>
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<TD>Kaph</TD>
<TD>One of two regular words for hand (the other being the 10th letter). <SUB><IMG src="Bible_Commentary/plaatjes/1022a.GIF" alt="kap"></SUB> (<I>kap</I> 1022a) denotes the hand as outstretched, asking and weak. The word basically encompasses anything that is hollow or outstretched in order to receive something: dish, plate, etc.</TD>
<TD>20<BR>
500</TD>
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<TD>Lamed</TD>
<TD>The verb <IMG src="Bible_Commentary/plaatjes/1116.GIF" alt="lamad">(<I>lamad</I> 1116) means learn or teach. Derivative <IMG src="Bible_Commentary/plaatjes/1116c.GIF" alt="talmid"> (<I>talmid</I> 1116c) means scholar (hence Talmud), and derivative <IMG src="Bible_Commentary/plaatjes/1116b.GIF" alt="lamad"> means oxgoad. The letter <I>lamed</I> is said to look like such a device, and when Jesus says to Saul, "it is hard for you to kick against the goads" (Acts 26:14) He may hint at Paul's learning rather than coercion.</TD>
<TD>30</TD>
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<TD>Mem</TD>
<TD><IMG src="Bible_Commentary/plaatjes/1188.GIF" alt="mayim"> (<I>mayim</I> 1188) means waters in the sense of a larger body (sea, ocean). It is suggested that the letter <I>mem</I> looks like a wave.</TD>
<TD>40<BR>
600</TD>
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<TD>Nun</TD>
<TD>The verb <SUB><IMG src="Bible_Commentary/plaatjes/1326.GIF" alt="nun"></SUB> means propagate, increase. Derivative <SUB><IMG src="Bible_Commentary/plaatjes/1326a.GIF" alt="nun"></SUB> means offspring, posterity. The letter is often said to mean and resemble a fish, but the word <I>nun</I> is not used as such in the Bible. In stead, the word for fish comes from another verb which means multiply, increase: <IMG src="Bible_Commentary/plaatjes/401.GIF" alt="daga">(<I>daga</I> 401)</TD>
<TD>50<BR>
700</TD>
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<TD>Samekh</TD>
<TD>The verb <SUB><IMG src="Bible_Commentary/plaatjes/1514.GIF" alt="samak"></SUB> (<I>samak</I> 1514) means lean upon, support, uphold. It is the verb that is used in the phrase "laying on of hands."</TD>
<TD>60</TD>
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<TD>Ayin</TD>
<TD>The word <SUB><IMG src="Bible_Commentary/plaatjes/1612.GIF" alt="ayin"></SUB> (<I>ayin</I> 1612) means eye in all regular senses, but also as means of expression (knowledge, character, etc). The word <SUB><IMG src="Bible_Commentary/plaatjes/1612.GIF" alt="ayin"></SUB> (<I>ayin</I> 1613) means spring or fountain. The eye is one of four bodily "fountains," the other three being mouth, skin and urethra (and only the mouth is not supposed to produce water outwardly). Transpiration releases the body of excessive heat; urine evaluates toxins, and the eye produces water commonly when grief or pain is prosessed. All have to do with cleansing or purification.</TD>
<TD>70</TD>
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<TD>Pe</TD>
<TD>The word <IMG src="Bible_Commentary/plaatjes/1738.GIF" alt="peh">(<I>peh</I> 1738) means mouth, but is often synonymous with speech. With a little good will one may recognize a face with a mouth in the shape of this letter.</TD>
<TD>80<BR>
800</TD>
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<TD>Tsadhe</TD>
<TD>Klein derives from the verb <IMG src="Bible_Commentary/plaatjes/1885.GIF" alt="sud"> (<I>sud</I> 1885), to hunt, and states that <IMG src="Bible_Commentary/plaatjes/tsadehh.GIF" alt="tsadeh"> means fish hook (no Biblical occurrence). Another name for this letter is <SUB><IMG src="Bible_Commentary/plaatjes/1879c.GIF" alt="saddiq"></SUB> (<I>saddiq</I> 1879c), just, righteous.</TD>
<TD>90<BR>
900</TD>
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<TD>Qoph</TD>
<TD>This word occurs in Scriptures only as <SUB><IMG src="Bible_Commentary/plaatjes/2001a.GIF" alt="tequpa"></SUB> (<I>tequpa</I> 2001a), meaning a coming around, or circuit of space or time. Klein reports that the root verb <SUB><IMG src="Bible_Commentary/plaatjes/2001.GIF" alt="qwp"></SUB> (<I>qwp</I> 2001) covers a circular motion and that it also serves to denote the ear of an axe or needle, or the back of the head. BDB relates it to <SUB><IMG src="Bible_Commentary/plaatjes/1416.GIF" alt="naqap"></SUB> (naqap 1416), go around, compass. An amusing other use of this name is as <SUB><IMG src="Bible_Commentary/plaatjes/2001.GIF" alt="qop"></SUB> (<I>qop</I> 2000), meaning ape (1 Ki 10:22); probably a loan word.</TD>
<TD>100</TD>
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<TD>Resh</TD>
<TD>The very common word <IMG src="Bible_Commentary/plaatjes/2097.GIF" alt="rosh"> (<I>rosh</I> 2097) basically means head, but is used to indicate whatever leads or comes first: captain, summit, cap stone. Preceded by the particle <I>beth</I> and in the form <IMG src="Bible_Commentary/plaatjes/2097e.GIF" alt="reshit"> (<I>reshit</I> 2097e), first, beginning, best, it is the first word of the Bible: <IMG src="Bible_Commentary/plaatjes/breshit.GIF" alt="breshit">, <I>Breshit</I>; In the beginning.<BR>
The word <IMG src="Bible_Commentary/plaatjes/2097.GIF" alt="rosh"> is also used to indicate a certain plant (called head) that yields poison: (<I>rosh</I> 2098), gall, venom. TWOTOT and BDB note that this usage is always figurative: Deut 32:32, Ps 69:21.<BR>
A third usage of this word is <IMG src="Bible_Commentary/plaatjes/2097.GIF" alt="resh"> (<I>resh</I> 2138a), poverty, from the root <IMG src="Bible_Commentary/plaatjes/2138.GIF" alt="rush"> (<I>rush</I> 2138), be poor.</TD>
<TD>200</TD>
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<TD>Sin<BR>
<TD>As derivation from the verb <SUB><IMG src="Bible_Commentary/plaatjes/2422.GIF" alt="shanan"></SUB> (<I>shanan</I> 2422), sharpen, the word <SUB><IMG src="Bible_Commentary/plaatjes/2422a.GIF" alt="shen"></SUB> (<I>shen</I> 2422a) means tooth or ivory. Both the verb and the noun are used primarily in a literal sense: sharpening of swords and arrows, but sometimes figuratively: the sharpening of one's tongue (saying sharp, mean words) or the sharpening of one's mind (Deut 6:7). The noun is famous for its part in the <I>lex talionis</I>, the law of retaliation; a soul or a soul, an eye for an eye (16th letter), a tooth for a tooth (21st letter), a hand for a hand (10th letter), a foot for a foot, a branding for a branding, a stripe for a stripe (Ex 21:24). The letter thanks its name perhaps to its looking like a row of teeth.</TD>
<TD>300</TD>
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<TD>Taw</TD>
<TD><IMG src="Bible_Commentary/plaatjes/2496a.GIF" alt="taw"> (<I>taw</I> 2496a) means mark, and its verb <IMG src="Bible_Commentary/plaatjes/2496.GIF" alt="tawa"> (<I>tawa</I> 2496), scribble, limit, is probably derived from the noun. TWOTOT suggests that the more ancient form of this letter looked like an X, a shape which lends itself easily as a general mark. The word <IMG src="Bible_Commentary/plaatjes/2496b.GIF" alt="taawa">(<I>ta'awa</I> 2496b) means boundary (that which is marked). The verb <IMG src="Bible_Commentary/plaatjes/2496.GIF" alt="tawa"> is used only once in the meaning of pain or wound (<I>tawa</I> 2497) in Ps 78:41.</TD>
<TD>400</TD>
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