In the Hebrew alphabet, there are five letters that have a final form used when they appear at the end of a word. These letters are:
1. Kaf (כ) - final form: ך
2. Mem (מ) - final form: ם
3. Nun (נ) - final form: ן
4. Pe (פ) - final form: ף
5. Tzadi (צ) - final form: ץ
These final forms are called "sofit" (סופית) in Hebrew, meaning "final" or "ending." Originally, these forms were used to denote the end of a word when Hebrew did not use spaces between words. However, since the 7th century, Hebrew has regularly employed word spacing, and final forms are now used primarily for aesthetics and tradition.
The final forms of these letters have distinct shapes compared to their regular forms. For example, the final mem (ם) is a closed square, while the regular mem (מ) is open at the bottom. The final nun (ן) extends below the baseline, unlike its regular form (נ).
The letter mem symbolizes the physical world stemming from the divine word, as well as the boundary between the revealed and hidden/spiritual realms. Its meaning of "water" connects to the primordial waters in Genesis from which all creation emerged.
מים (mayim) meaning "water" includes the letter Mem in both its standard form and its final form, seperated by the Yod. (Much could be written about that alone!). Water being so related to the letter Mem connects to the letter Mem's original pictographic meaning of water.
Water plays a central role in the Torah narratives, representing both the primordial creative force and the sustaining, life-giving power of God's word (Torah). Many pivotal events in the journey of the Israelites are associated with bodies of water.
- The creation story, where the spirit of God hovered over the waters before creating the world (Genesis 1:2). Water is presented as a primordial element.
- Noah's ark and the great flood (Genesis 6-9). God unleashed the waters to destroy the wicked world and start anew with Noah's family.
- The Israelites crossing the Red Sea (Exodus 14). God miraculously parted the waters, allowing the Israelites to escape from Egypt and the pursuing Egyptian army.
- Moses striking the rock at Meribah to bring forth water for the thirsty Israelites in the desert (Exodus 17:1-7, Numbers 20:1-13).
- The giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai after the Israelites crossed the Red Sea (Exodus 19-20). Water is seen as a metaphor for Torah, which is life-giving.
- The Israelites crossing the Jordan River to enter the Promised Land (Joshua 3). The waters miraculously parted, echoing the crossing of the Red Sea.
- The Hebrew word for baptism is tevilah, which means "to totally immerse" in water.
The story of the bitter waters at Marah in Exodus 15:22-27 is a significant event in the Israelites' journey after crossing the Red Sea. It is also an early shadow of the Messiah:
The people grumbled against Moses over the lack of drinkable water. The prophet Moses cried out to God, who showed him a piece of wood. When Moses threw it into the water, the water became sweet and drinkable.
God then gave the Israelites a statute and rule at Marah, promising them freedom from diseases if they obeyed His commands. This was a test of their obedience.
The bitter waters represented the challenges and bitterness the Israelites faced in the wilderness after their initial joy of being freed from Egypt. God's provision of sweet water foreshadowed His sustaining grace despite their grumbling.
The incident taught the Israelites to trust God's provision and obey His laws, even amidst difficulties. It marked an early test in shaping them into a covenant people through the wilderness experience.
The bitter waters story highlights key themes of grumbling, testing, obedience, and God's miraculous provision and healing power over seemingly impossible circumstances.
There are three letter "Mems" and three letter "Yods" in the phrase "Living Water" in Hebrew מַֽיִם־חַיִּ֖ים mayim-ḥayyîm. This Hebrew phrase has an usually dominant use of the letter Mem. The mem מַֽ appears at the end of both words in its final form, the mem sofit ם.
Several important biblical Hebrew words start with the letter mem (מ) including:
- מקום (makom) meaning "place", which is also one of the names of God. This word contains the mem at the beginning and end, with the root קו (line/boundary) in the middle, symbolizing the boundary between the known and unknown realms.
- משיח (mashiach) meaning "messiah" or "anointed one". The mem represents the messianic era and secrets of the Torah being revealed.
- מצוה (mitzvah) meaning "commandment". The Mishnah, the oral law, begins and ends with the letter mem, highlighting its importance.
- מלך (melech) meaning "king". The mem represents physical/worldly existence, connecting to kingship and rulership.
- מדבר (midbar) meaning "wilderness" or "desert", from the root meaning "to lead" or "to speak", representing the physical world being revealed through God's word.
- מלאך (mal'akh) meaning "angel" or "messenger". This connects to the spiritual realm represented by the closed form of the mem.
- מצרים (mitzrayim) meaning "Egypt", the place the Israelites were enslaved before the Exodus.
- מנחה (minchah) meaning "grain offering" or "gift", one of the major types of offerings in the Temple service.
- מזבח (mizbe'ach) meaning "altar", the place where sacrificial offerings were made.
- מרים (Miryam) meaning "Mary", the name of Moses' sister and the most famous woman in the Torah besides Eve.
- מנורה (Menorah) meaning "lamp" or "candelabra". It refers to the seven-branched candelabra used in the ancient Temple in Jerusalem.
- מצה (Matzah) meaning "unleavened bread". It is an important part of the Passover holiday, commemorating the Israelites' hurried exodus from Egypt when they did not have time for their bread to rise.
Mem in the New Testament
Water plays a symbolic role in the New Testament, as well, representing spiritual cleansing, new life, and the gift of the Holy Spirit given through Yeshua Hamashiach. In the New Testament several important scenes take place around water:
- Jesus' baptism by John the Baptist in the Jordan River (Matthew 3:13-17, Mark 1:9-11, Luke 3:21-22, John 1:32-34). This marked the beginning of Jesus' public ministry.
- Jesus walks on water on the Sea of Galilee (Matthew 14:22-33, Mark 6:45-52, John 6:16-21). This demonstrated Jesus' divine power over nature.
- Jesus calms the storm on the Sea of Galilee (Matthew 8:23-27, Mark 4:35-41, Luke 8:22-25). This showed Jesus' authority over the wind and waves.
- Jesus meets the Samaritan woman at Jacob's well (John 4:1-42). This encounter revealed Jesus as the source of "living water" and Messiah.
- Jesus heals a man at the pool of Bethesda in Jerusalem (John 5:1-15). This miracle on the Sabbath caused controversy with Jewish leaders.
- Jesus washes the disciples' feet with water (John 13:1-17). This act demonstrated humble service and spiritual cleansing.
- The crucifixion scene where blood and water flowed from Jesus' pierced side (John 19:34). This signified the life-giving power of Christ's death.
Gematria Reveals
Mem is the 13th letter in the 22 letter Hebrew aleph-beyt. 13 is the gematria value of the Hebrew word for Love Ahavah (אהבה).
Mem's numerical value is 40. Here again the letter Mem plays a key role in many biblical scenes and events related to the significant number 40:
Old Testament
- The great flood lasted 40 days and nights of rain (Genesis 7:4, 12).
- Moses spent 40 days and nights on Mount Sinai receiving the Ten Commandments (Exodus 24:18, 34:28).
- The Israelites wandered in the wilderness for 40 years before entering Canaan (Numbers 14:33-34, 32:13).
- Spies scouted the Promised Land for 40 days (Numbers 13:25).
- Goliath taunted the Israelites for 40 days before David defeated him (1 Samuel 17:16).
- Ezekiel laid on his right side for 40 days to symbolize Judah's sins (Ezekiel 4:6).
- Jonah warned Nineveh they had 40 days to repent or be destroyed (Jonah 3:4).
New Testament
- Jesus fasted for 40 days and nights in the wilderness and was tempted by Satan (Matthew 4:1-11, Mark 1:12-13, Luke 4:1-13).
- After his resurrection, Jesus appeared to his disciples over a period of 40 days before ascending to heaven (Acts 1:3).
The number 40 is used repeatedly to signify a period of testing, trial, purification, or preparation before a major transition or new beginning in biblical narratives. It represents the time required for spiritual renewal and transformation.
The Hebrew letter mem (מ) has a notable and symbolic shape:
- It has two forms - an open form (מ) and a closed/final form (ם) when appearing at the end of a word.
- The open mem resembles a square or box with a small opening at the bottom left corner. This opening is said to represent the flowing of water, connecting to the letter's original pictographic meaning of "water".
- The closed final mem has no opening, representing contained or potential waters/creation.
- The open mem's shape incorporates the letters kaf (כ) and vav (ו), symbolizing the divine flow of creation from the infinite (kaf) through the connecting vav into the physical world.
- The closed final mem fully encloses the vav within the kaf, representing them divine creative force in potentiality before actualization.
- This dual form is said to symbolize the revealed/knowable (open) and the hidden/unknowable (closed) aspects of God's wisdom and Torah.
The unique open and closed shapes of the mem convey deep symbolic meanings related to water as the primordial element, the dynamics of divine creation flowing into manifestation, and the interplay between the revealed and concealed realms of Torah wisdom.
As you can see, there is a lot to be said about the letter Mem. I've tried to say some of it. I hope it blesses you.
[1] The Hebrew Letter MEM - Tishrei - HIS-ISRAEL https://his-israel.com/the-hebrew-letter-mem-tishrei/
[2] Mem - The thirteenth letter of the Hebrew alphabet - Chabad.org https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/137085/jewish/Mem.htm
[3] The Letter Mem - Hebrew for Christians https://www.hebrew4christians.com/Grammar/Unit_One/Aleph-Bet/Mem/mem.html
[4] מ Mem — Alphabet of Kabbalah, a free course - Glorian https://glorian.org/learn/courses-and-lectures/alphabet-of-kabbalah/mem
[5] The Amazing Biblical Language: The Importance of The Letter Mem https://objectivetranslation.home.blog/2019/05/30/the-amazing-biblical-language-the-importance-of-the-letter-mem/
