Not that I believe in numerology, but the connection of numbers to words was
more obvious to the ancient Hebrews than it is to us today. The Hebrew
letters were also used as numbers. They did not have separate digits like
we do. Unlike roman numerals, in which some letters can represent numbers,
in Hebrew all letters can be numbers.
Unlike English words which have to be converted to numbers via a
correspondence code, in Hebrew every word is literally identical to some
number. Every word had a numeric value. If you see a fragment of Hebrew
symbols, there is no way to know whether they were letters or numbers in
their original context. The concept that words and numbers were related was
an obvious artifact of their language system.
The other complicating factor in this belief is the fact that Hebrew was
written without vowels. Every two-symbol combination of Hebrew glyphs could
be read as a Hebrew noun or a two-digit number. Every three-symbol
combination of Hebrew glyphs could be read as a verb or a three-digit
number. Every five-digit combination of Hebrew glyphs could be read as a
simple noun-verb sentence as well as a five digit number.
Unlike English where a random series of letters produces gibberish, in
Hebrew any random series of numbers can be read into words and sentence. By
rolling dice, dealing cards, or casting lots, the Hebrews could read words
and sentences. Imagine a lottery drawing where every winning combination
spells out a phrase. Imagine if every arithmetic problems results in an
object or an idea. In Hebrew, the first letter is Aleph. The first number
is Aleph. The cow in the field is Aleph. They are all the same word or
concept used in different contexts. The concept that words equal numbers
equal abstract concepts seemed obvious to the ancient Hebrews.
This lead to the evolution of a lot of divination techniques. It was easy
to ask a question, roll dice and read an answer. Any roll of the dice would
give structured and intelligible answers that would put any magic 8-ball to
shame. This also lead to superstition and fear of omens everywhere. It was
hard to ignore daily omens when every day occurrences or groupings would
spell out words or phrases. Imagine that the grouping of cattle in the
field, say a pair here, three there, and a dozen over there, spelled out
messages. Consider if every flock of birds could spell out an idea.
Imagine that blades of grass could form words and sentences. Imagine if
"meanings" would be automatically apparent in every grouping of objects, in
every scene or in every name.
It would be easy to see these obvious signs being noticed, interpreted and
often believed to be hidden messages from some underlying force that exists
invisibly behind all reality. This would be a form of subliminal messaging
that would be hard to avoid. Subtle ideas and concepts would creep in
thoroughly mundane life everywhere. Names would be instantly associated
with objects or actions. Locations would automatically be interpreted with
meaning.
-- Harvey Newstrom, Security Testing Manager, Fiderus Phone:321-676-4894 Tollfree:866-FIDERUS Mobile:321-258-4809 FAX:321-676-5707 Pager:866-786-1001 or mailto:pager@HarveyNewstrom.com Web: http://HarveyNewstrom.com or http://Fiderus.com Emergency 24 hour response: 1-877-595-8491
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