What is the original source of the system of gematria calculations?

Gematria is an ancient system of assigning numbers to words and phrases in which the sum of the corresponding numbers holds some significant meaning. This system has been used by various cultures throughout history and is most commonly associated with Jewish Kabbalah and its use in Hebrew scriptures. However, it may surprise you to learn that the original source of the system of gematria calculations is elusive and is still debated among scholars.

The earliest known use of gematria dates back to as early as 1,500BC, when Babylon first began assigning numerical values to words. This was then adopted by the Ancient Greeks in 800BC and modified around 600BC by Pythagoras. He developed an alphabetical method for representing numerical values, which is the basis for much of today's numerological systems .

The Hebrew use of gematria didn't begin until around 300BC. It was initially used for administrative purposes such as keeping accounts or writing contracts but eventually evolved into a system of assigning numerical values to individual letters for religious purposes. Gematria gained prominence among Jewish texts during the first century AD when rabbinical scholars began using it to unlock hidden meanings from scripture and form important equations from certain words or phrases.

Historians are still divided as to where exactly the origins of gematria can be traced back to, some pointing towards Babylonia while others argue could have originated with Pythagoras or through various other ancient civilizations that predate both Babylonian and Greek sources. While their differences will likely never be fully resolved, it is agreed upon that gematria likely arose through a combination of influences from these ancient societies before taking on its modern form in Judaism.

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