Gematria has been used as a method of Torah interpretation by Hebrew scholars for two thousand years.
The first nine Hebrew letters (aleph through teth) are given values 1 through 9, and the additional nine are labeled 10, 20, …, 100, and final three are labeled 200, 300, 400.
The combined total of the letters in a word reveals its numerical meaning.
Alef=1
Bet=2
Gimel=3
Dalet=4
He=5
Vav=6
Zayin=7
Chet=8
Tet=9
Yod=10
Kaf=20
Lamed=30
Mem=40
Nun=50
Samech=60
Ayin=70
Pe=80
Tsade=90
Qof=100
Resh=200
Shin=300
Tav=400
