Definition and Significance
Yodh (also spelled Yod) is the tenth letter of the Hebrew alphabet and holds significant importance in biblical texts and Jewish tradition. It is the smallest letter in the Hebrew script, yet it carries profound meaning and symbolism. In the Hebrew language, Yodh represents the sound "y" and has a numerical value of ten. Its small size is often seen as a symbol of humility and the divine spark within creation.

Biblical References
Yodh appears in various contexts throughout the Hebrew Bible, often as part of the Hebrew words and names. One of the most notable references to Yodh is found in the words of Jesus in the New Testament. In Matthew 5:18 , Jesus emphasizes the enduring nature of the Law, stating, "For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not a single jot, not a stroke of a pen, will disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished." The term "jot" in this passage is a reference to Yodh, highlighting its importance even as the smallest letter.

Symbolism and Interpretation
In Jewish mysticism and rabbinic literature, Yodh is often associated with the divine and the spiritual. Its small size is seen as a representation of humility and the idea that even the smallest aspects of the Torah are significant. The letter is also linked to the concept of creation, as it is the first letter in the Tetragrammaton, the sacred name of God (YHWH). This connection underscores the belief that God is present in every detail of the universe.

Yodh in Hebrew Names and Words
Yodh is a common letter in Hebrew names and words, often indicating a connection to God or divine attributes. For example, the name "Israel" (יִשְׂרָאֵל) begins with Yodh, signifying the nation's covenant relationship with God. Similarly, the name "Yeshua" (יֵשׁוּעַ), the Hebrew form of Jesus, starts with Yodh, reflecting His divine mission and identity.

Theological Implications
The presence of Yodh in the biblical text serves as a reminder of the meticulous nature of God's Word. Conservative Christian theology often emphasizes the inerrancy and infallibility of Scripture, and the reference to Yodh in Matthew 5:18 supports the belief that every part of the Bible, down to the smallest letter, is divinely inspired and purposeful. This underscores the importance of studying and adhering to the teachings of Scripture in their entirety.

Conclusion
While Yodh may be the smallest letter in the Hebrew alphabet, its significance in biblical texts and Jewish tradition is immense. It serves as a symbol of humility, divine presence, and the enduring nature of God's Word. Through its use in Scripture, Yodh reminds believers of the importance of every detail in the Bible and the divine inspiration behind it.YODH

yod "y": The 10th letter of the Hebrew alphabet; transliterated in this Encyclopedia as "y". It came also to be used for the number 10.

See JOB, and for name, etc., see ALPHABET.

The Septuagint as a Version.
... and in the printed Bibles must have been practically complete in our Lord's time,
since He refers to the yodh as the smallest letter, and to the kereai which ...
/.../chapter v the septuagint as.htm

Chapter xvi
... reply. Indeed, with excellent self-control he replies moderately (v.6). In
the last word of the verse the second yodh is redundant. 6 ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xvi.htm

The Apocalypse.
... The Hebrew Aleph counts 1, Beth 2, etc., Yodh 10; but Kaph (the eleventh
letter) counts 20, Resh (the twentieth letter) 200, etc. ...
/.../schaff/history of the christian church volume i/section 101 the apocalypse.htm

Chapter ii
... "Good" is used in the sense of "fine" or "excellent." The demonstrative "that"
(written h??' with waw rather than yodh for the feminine) is the first instance ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter ii.htm

Yodh (1 Occurrence)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia YODH. ... See JOB, and for name, etc., see ALPHABET.
Multi-Version Concordance Yodh (1 Occurrence). Psalms 119:73 YODH. ...
/y/yodh.htm - 6k

Yod (1 Occurrence)
... Yod (1 Occurrence). Psalms 119:73 YODH. Thy hands have made me and fashioned me:
Give me understanding, that I may learn thy commandments. (Root in ASV DBY YLT) ...
/y/yod.htm - 6k

Jod (1 Occurrence)
... Standard Bible Encyclopedia JOD. jod "y": Yodh, the tenth letter of the Hebrew alphabet.
See ALPHABET; JOT; YODH. Multi-Version Concordance Jod (1 Occurrence). ...
/j/jod.htm - 6k

Phylactery
... elbow, so that with the bending of the arm it would rest over the heart, the knot
fastening it to the arm being in the form of the Hebrew letter yodh (y), and ...
/p/phylactery.htm - 13k

Aramaic (12 Occurrences)
... The peculiarity which most prominently distinguishes these is the preformative of
the imperfect; in the western, as in Hebrew and Arabic, it is yodh (y), while ...
/a/aramaic.htm - 31k

Language (112 Occurrences)
... The peculiarity which most prominently distinguishes these is the preformative of
the imperfect; in the western, as in Hebrew and Arabic, it is yodh (y), while ...
/l/language.htm - 101k

Jot (1 Occurrence)
... "Iota," in turn, is the nearest Greek equivalent for the Hebrew yodh ("y"), the
smallest letter of the Hebrew alphabet, in New Testament times being little ...
/j/jot.htm - 8k

Meremoth (6 Occurrences)
... The name recurs later in the same list (Nehemiah 12:15) as "Meraioth" through a
scribal error confusing the two Hebrew letters yodh (y) and cholem (o) for mem ...
/m/meremoth.htm - 11k

Acrostic (2 Occurrences)
... Text. The initials of 9:1, 3, 5 are respectively 'aleph, beth, gimel; of
9:9, 11, 13, 15, 17 waw, zayin, cheth, Teth and yodh. Psalm ...
/a/acrostic.htm - 15k

What is YHWH? What is the tetragrammaton? | GotQuestions.org

What is a jot? What is a tittle? | GotQuestions.org

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