Gamma (Γ/γ) – New Testament Greek words that start with gamma

• Old Testament Hebrew
• New Testament Greek

Quick reference

Greek Name:

γάμμα

English Name:

gamma

Pronunciation:

gäm’-mä

Upper-case Letter:

Γ

Lower-case Letter:

γ

Speech Sound:

consonant

Numerical Value:

3

Pronunciation guide

In Koine Greek, the letter Gamma was a voiced velar plosive, similar to the English “g” in “goat.” Whenever two Gammas appear back-to-back (γγ), it is known as a “gamma nasal” and sounds like the “ng” in the English word “singer.”

Numerical significance

Gamma corresponds to the number three (3) in the Greek numerical system (isopsephy). The number three holds significant cultural and philosophical weight, often associated with harmony, wisdom, and understanding. It is seen as a number that brings balance, combining the singular nature of “one” and the duality of “two” to create something new and complete. In many cultures, including Greek, it is considered a perfect number.

Cultural and symbolic meaning

The origin of Gamma is traced back to the Phoenician letter “Gimel,” which represented a camel, as it was possibly depicted originally by a pictogram of a camel’s neck. The camel, a key figure in many ancient cultures, symbolizes not just physical endurance but also perseverance and the ability to overcome challenges.