What is the history of using gematria numbers?

The History of gematria numbers

Gematria numbers originate from the ancient Hebrew alphabet and have been used for centuries by Jewish scholars in order to divine hidden meanings in the Torah, as well as other various religious text. The technique is rooted in the concept that each letter of the Hebrew alphabet has a numerical value that can be used to assign numerical significance to words. By applying this system, translators can uncover coding and subtleties in religious texts that were intended by its authors.

Gematria has been used since at least the 4th century BCE when it was known as an "aleph bet", translating words one letter at a time into their root number equivalent by summing up their value, with each individual Hebrew letter having its own numerical value assigned to it. Thus, right away, gematria offered many hints and clues into the true understanding of spiritual writings. For example, if a word had a numerical value that when compared with another revealed some sort of connection between them coming up with one number, this could often benefit an interpreter of religious works by helping them decipher future puzzling texts.

The first documented use of gematria comes from Rabbi Akiva and other rabbis during the Talmudic period dating back roughly 2,000 years ago. According to Jewish tradition, Rabbi Akiva was first cited for using gematria numbers to uncover hidden meanings in certain words and phrases within his study of the Torah. Later on during medieval times (300-800 CE) particularly with Kabbalists in Spain and even mystics from Italy began experimenting with gematria alongside other various Jewish occult practices involving divination and numerology