Gematria (Hebrew: גימטריה), also known as gimatria or gematria, is a form of Jewish mysticism that involves the practice of assigning numerical values to words or phrases based on the letters that comprise them. This practice is rooted in the belief that words and numbers have inherent, often hidden, meanings that can reveal deeper truths about the universe and the divine. The term gematria is derived from the Greek word geometria (γεωμετρία), meaning "geometry," though its usage in Jewish tradition is distinct. In Arabic, the concept is sometimes referred to as jafr (جفر). Gematria is often used in the study of the Hebrew Bible (Tanakh) and other Jewish texts to uncover hidden connections between words, phrases, and concepts. Practitioners believe that by understanding these numerical relationships, they can gain insight into the divine plan and the mysteries of creation. Gematria is a key component of Jewish mysticism, particularly in Kabbalah, where it is used to explore the hidden meanings of sacred texts and to understand the nature of God and the universe.