Cheth is the eighth letter of the Hebrew alphabet and holds significant value in biblical literature and Hebrew tradition. In the Hebrew language, Cheth is represented by the symbol ח and has a numerical value of eight. This letter is often associated with themes of life, new beginnings, and divine grace, reflecting its symbolic importance in the scriptural context.

Biblical Significance

In the Bible, the Hebrew alphabet is not merely a set of letters but carries profound spiritual and symbolic meanings. Cheth, as the eighth letter, is often linked to the concept of new beginnings and resurrection. The number eight in biblical numerology is frequently associated with a new order or creation, as seen in the eight people saved in Noah's Ark (Genesis 7:13) and the circumcision of male infants on the eighth day (Leviticus 12:3), symbolizing a covenantal relationship with God.

Psalm 119 and Cheth

Psalm 119, the longest chapter in the Bible, is an acrostic psalm that uses each letter of the Hebrew alphabet to begin a section of eight verses. The section corresponding to Cheth (verses 57-64) emphasizes themes of commitment to God's law and the pursuit of righteousness. The Berean Standard Bible translates these verses as follows:

"The LORD is my portion; I have promised to keep Your words. I have sought Your face with all my heart; be gracious to me according to Your promise. I considered my ways and turned my steps to Your testimonies. I hurried without hesitating to keep Your commandments. Though the ropes of the wicked bind me, I do not forget Your law. At midnight I rise to give You thanks for Your righteous judgments. I am a friend to all who fear You, and to those who keep Your precepts. The earth is filled with Your loving devotion, O LORD; teach me Your statutes." (Psalm 119:57-64)

These verses reflect a deep commitment to God's word and a desire for His guidance and instruction, embodying the spiritual essence of Cheth.

Symbolism and Interpretation

Cheth is often depicted as a doorway or an enclosure, symbolizing protection and a passage to a higher spiritual state. This imagery aligns with the biblical understanding of God as a refuge and fortress for His people. The letter's shape, resembling a fence or barrier, can also signify separation from sin and a dedication to holiness.

In Jewish tradition, Cheth is associated with the word "chai," meaning "life." This connection underscores the letter's representation of vitality and divine sustenance. The concept of life in the biblical sense extends beyond mere physical existence to encompass spiritual renewal and eternal life through faith in God.

Conclusion

Cheth, as a letter of the Hebrew alphabet, carries rich theological and symbolic meanings within the biblical narrative. Its association with life, new beginnings, and divine grace highlights its importance in understanding the spiritual dimensions of Scripture. Through its presence in Psalm 119 and its broader symbolic implications, Cheth invites believers to reflect on their relationship with God and their commitment to His commandments.CHETH

See CHETH.

2845. Cheth -- a son of Canaan and probably ancestor of the ...
... Cheth. 2846 . a son of Canaan and probably ancestor of the Hittites. Transliteration:
Cheth Phonetic Spelling: (khayth) Short Definition: Heth. ... Cheth. 2846 . ...
/hebrew/2845.htm - 6k

2850. Chitti -- descendant of Heth
... Word Origin from Cheth Definition desc. ... Patronymically from Cheth; a Chittite, or
descendant of Cheth -- Hittite, Hittities. see HEBREW Cheth. 2849, 2850. ...
/hebrew/2850.htm - 6k

Cheth.
... St. Augustin on the Psalms. Cheth. 57. Let us hear what followeth: "I have
promised to keep Thy law." What meaneth, "My portion, O ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/cheth.htm

Psalm 119 Cheth, the 8Th Part.
... Psalm 119 Cheth, The 8th Part. 8,6,8,6. ^57Thou my sure portion art alone,.
which I did chuse, O Lord: I have resolv'd, and said, that I. ...
/.../anonymous/scottish psalter and paraphrases/psalm 119 cheth the 8th.htm

Samaria. Sychem.
... "The Samaritans (saith R. Benjamin) have not the letters he or ain, or cheth.
He is in the name of Abraham, And they have not honour. ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 56 samaria sychem.htm

Exposition on the Book of Psalms
... Psalm CXVI. Psalm CXVII. Psalm CXVIII. Psalm CXIX. Beth. Gimel. Daleth. He. Vav.
Zain. Cheth. Teth. Jod. Caph. Lamed. Mem. Nun. Samech. Ain. Pe. Tadze. Koph. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/

Scottish Psalter and Paraphrases
... Psalm 119 Vau, The 6th Part. Psalm 119 Zain, The 7th Part. Psalm 119 Cheth, The
8th Part. Psalm 119 Teth, The 9th Part. Psalm 119 Jod, The 10th Part. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/anonymous/scottish psalter and paraphrases/

Jewish Homes
... i.1-3). A very curious law provided (Cheth.110), that a man could not oblige his
wife to follow him if he moved either from a township to a town, or the reverse ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/chapter 6 jewish homes.htm

The Dialect of the Galileans, Differing from the Jewish.
... which however the Jews correct in the words alleged, yet it was not unusual among
them, so that "the mystical doctors distinguished not between Cheth and He ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 87 the dialect of.htm

The Upbringing of Jewish Children
... There is both common sense and sound experience in this Talmudical saying
(Cheth.50), "If you set your child to regular study before it is six years old, ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/chapter 7 the upbringing of.htm

Mothers, Daughters, and Wives in Israel
... from the regular Chethubah (literally, writing), or marriage contract, without which
the Rabbis regarded a marriage as merely legalised concubinage (Cheth. ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/chapter 9 mothers daughters and.htm

Palestine Eighteen Centuries Ago
... from the heart of the people. Even superstition becomes here pathetic.
If the Talmud (Cheth. iii. a.) had already expressed the ...
/.../sketches of jewish social life/chapter 1 palestine eighteen centuries.htm

Cheth (1 Occurrence)
...CHETH. See CHETH. Multi-Version Concordance Cheth (1 Occurrence). Psalms 119:57
<CHETH> The Lord is my heritage: I have said that I would be ruled by your words ...
/c/cheth.htm - 6k

Heth (13 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. HETH (1). chath cheth: The eighth letter of the
Hebrew alphabet; transliterated in this Encyclopedia as "ch". ...
/h/heth.htm - 11k

Languages (36 Occurrences)
... Hence, when the Phoenician alphabet passed over into Greece, these unpronounceable
sounds, " ` " (ayin), "ch" (cheth), "h" (he), " ' " aleph) were changed ...
/l/languages.htm - 49k

Nehelamite (4 Occurrences)
... Hence, when the Phoenician alphabet passed over into Greece, these unpronounceable
sounds, " ` " (ayin), "ch" (cheth), "h" (he), " ' " aleph) were changed ...
/n/nehelamite.htm - 89k

Juniper (7 Occurrences)
... of food that many commentators believe that the accepted text is in error, and by
altering a single letter, substituting the Hebrew letter, cheth, ("ch") for ...
/j/juniper.htm - 11k

Chesul'loth (1 Occurrence)
Chesul'loth. Chesulloth, Chesul'loth. Cheth . Multi-Version Concordance
Chesul'loth (1 Occurrence). ... Chesulloth, Chesul'loth. Cheth . Reference Bible.
/c/chesul'loth.htm - 6k

Chettiim

/c/chettiim.htm - 6k

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

Hittites (39 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. HITTITES. hit'-its (bene cheth, chittim; Chettaioi):
One of the seven nations conquered by Israel in Palestine. ...
/h/hittites.htm - 55k

Samaritan (8 Occurrences)
... Genesis 27:36 shows 'aleph (') and he (h) interchanged, he (h) and cheth (ch) in
Genesis 41:45, cheth (ch) for `ayin (`) in Genesis 49:7, and 'aleph (') and ...
/s/samaritan.htm - 42k

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