If you’re new to the Hebrew language, this chart can serve as your gateway to understanding the building blocks of the Bible’s original language.
The Hebrew alphabet, known as the Aleph-Bet, consists of 22 letters, each with its own distinct shape, sound, and numerical value. In Hebrew, some letters undergo a visual transformation when they appear at the end of a word, a phenomenon known as “final forms.” Five Hebrew letters – Khaf, Mem, Nun, Pay, and Tzadi – assume distinct shapes when positioned at the end of a word.
In Hebrew, letters are not only used for communication but also carry numeric significance. This numerical system, known as Gematria, assigns a unique value to each letter, providing an additional layer of meaning to the words and texts. You will find the numeric value of each Hebrew letter in the top left corner of each box.
Explore, learn, and enjoy the fascinating world of the Hebrew alphabet!
Since the Aleph is silent¹ we will use it in the example for each sound
¹ If there is a vowel underneath the letter, the sound of the vowel is pronounced. If there is no vowel underneath, the letter remains silent.
² In Hebrew there are two types ov Sh’vas. A sh’va na is cosidered a vowel and is pronounced. This is represented in our transliteration by the apostrophe (‘) and pronounced like the ‘e’ in father. The other sh’va, the sh’va nakh, indicates the end of a syllable. It does not have its own sound, and therefore no phonetic representation.
³ A kamatz katan looks similar to a regular kamatz but is pronounced like a kholam.
⁴ The Hebrew alphabet has a unique feature known as gematrya, in which every letter is assigned a numerical value. The numerical value is shown above each letter in the chart.
The Israel Bible is the world’s first Tanakh (Hebrew Bible) centered around the Land of Israel, the People of Israel, and the dynamic relationship between them.
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