Gimel (ג) – Old Testament Hebrew words that start with gimel

• Old Testament Hebrew
• New Testament Greek

Quick reference

Hebrew Name:

גִּימֵל

English Name:

gimel

Pronunciation:

gee-mel

Letter:

ג

Speech Sound:

consonant

Numerical Value:

3

Pronunciation guide

Gimel sounds like the “g” in “goat” when pronounced. This sound is consistent regardless of where the letter appears in a word and doesn’t change its sound based on the presence of dots (dagesh) or other markers (niqqud).

Numerical significance

In Gematria, the traditional Hebrew numbering system, the letter Gimel corresponds to the number three (3). The number three carries significance in Hebrew tradition, often associated with concepts of completeness and stability, as seen in the three patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and the three divisions of the Tanakh (Torah, Prophets, and Writings).

Cultural and symbolic meaning

Gimel is thought to derive from the ancient Phoenician alphabet, where its pictograph is believed to have resembled a camel, signifying travel or movement. In Jewish culture, it can represent kindness and generosity, as the word for camel (H1581) is associated with bearing burdens and providing transportation.