33 Gematria Meaning

Gematria is a form of Jewish mysticism that involves the practice of assigning numerical values to words or phrases, often based on the letters of the Hebrew alphabet. The number 33 in gematria is particularly significant as it corresponds to the numerical value of the Hebrew word ל"ו (pronounced "lamed-vav"), which translates to the English word heart. This connection is derived from the individual values of the Hebrew letters: ל (lamed) equals 30 and ו (vav) equals 6, summing to 36. However, when considering the word לב (lev), which also means heart, the sum is 33 (ל = 30, ב = 2). This numerical value is often associated with deep emotional and spiritual significance in Jewish mysticism and Kabbalah. In other languages, the concept of gematria does not have a direct equivalent, but the practice itself is sometimes referred to as isopsephy in Greek or notarikon when dealing with acronyms and abbreviations. The number 33 is also notable in various esoteric traditions, including Freemasonry, where it represents a significant rank or degree within the organization.