Resh (ר) – Old Testament Hebrew words that start with resh

• Old Testament Hebrew
• New Testament Greek

Quick reference

Hebrew Name:

רֵישׁ

English Name:

resh

Pronunciation:

resh (trilled “R”)

Letter:

ר

Speech Sound:

consonant

Numerical Value:

200

Pronunciation guide

The letter Resh is pronounced somewhat like the English “r” but with a rolled or guttural quality, similar to the “r” in Spanish or the “ch” in Scottish “loch.” This sound can be challenging for some to make, since it’s not a sound commonly used in English.

Numerical significance

Resh has the numerical value of 200 in Hebrew gematria. The number 200 doesn’t have as prominent a place in Hebrew culture as some smaller numbers, but in some traditional contexts, it could represent an amplification of the number 20, which is associated with the expectancy of redemption and the cycle of life.

Cultural and symbolic meaning

The letter Resh is thought to symbolize a head, as it similar to the Hebrew word for “head” (H7218). This suggests leadership, a beginning point, or a person of prominence. In Hebrew manuscripts, a resh can sometimes be found in an enlarged form, possibly to emphasize the start of an important section or idea.