CE: The Bible has layers of meaning
🔤 God’s Secret Language
Notarikon: The Hidden Treasure in Hebrew Letters
📖 What Is Notarikon?
Notarikon is a big word, but it means something really cool:
It’s a way to find hidden meanings in Hebrew words by looking at what the letters mean!
Each Hebrew letter is like a tiny piece of a puzzle. When you put them together, they tell a big story about God!
Some people think Notarikon is just a game or make-believe. But it’s not!
It’s one of the special ways God shows us what He’s like and what He’s done—right inside His words.
✨ A Thought Before the World
Before the world began, God had a plan.
That plan was inside His alphabet!
Here’s what a few Hebrew letters tell us:
- י (Yod) = The Creator and His first thought
- ו (Vav) = He spoke into the darkness א (Aleph) = He spoke and created the heavens and the earth, but when split it is made of other letters (יוי), whispering God's name. Ee-oo-ee sounds liek Yahweh, the name he told Moses to call him.
- Even before he created all things using word, the letters forming those words were telling us about God!
🌍 The First Word: “Bereshit” (In the beginning)
The Bible starts with one amazing Hebrew word: Bereshit (בְּרֵאשִׁית)
That word can be broken down to say:
“He revealed that God spoke and created the heavens and the earth. His word didn’t return empty—it gave life!”
And… the first part of the word "ברא" means 'created'; the last part “שית” is the number six in Hebrew.
Guess what? God made the world in six days!
📖 Two Ways God Speaks
God shows us who He is in two amazing ways:
- Creation (like stars, trees, animals) speaks in a muffled way.
- His Word (the Bible and even the letters in it!) speaks in a knowable way.
So when you look at the sky or read the Bible, you’re seeing and hearing God’s voice.
🔠 Why Hebrew Is Special
All languages have letters and sounds, but only Hebrew has this kind of treasure:
- Each letter means something
- The way they are written has purpose
- Even the shapes and lines are part of the message!
The letters are like a special lesson book from God—before any other words were ever written!
❗ Is This Just a Trick?
Some people say Notarikon is just a weird idea.
But think about it:
- If God spoke the world into being,
- And He used words,
- Then every part of His language must be full of meaning!
Notarikon isn’t something extra—it’s part of how God built His words.
💬 Final Thought
Notarikon helps us see deeper into God’s Word.
The letters were shouting His name, even before the first story began.
When we listen closely… we hear:
“I am your Creator. I love you. My Word brings life.”
📝 Activity Page: Discovering God’s Alphabet
1. 🔍 What Does This Word Mean?
Let’s try Notarikon with the word Adam (אדם)
Match the letter to its meaning:
| Letter | Draw a line to… |
|---|---|
| א | A. Law finished by the Son |
| ד | B. Spirit (who spoke and created the heavens and the earth) |
| ם | C. Command or law |
Now, what do all 3 letters tell us about Adam?
✏️ Adam had _______________, _______________, and _____________.
2. ✨ What Came First?
Put these in the right order by numbering them 1–4:
- God spoke
- God created letters
- God made the world
- The letters pointed to Jesus
3. 💡 Read a Word using Notarikon!
Let’s say you saw the word LOVE (in Hebrew) אהב. Do you recognize some of the letters?
א = ____________
ב = ____________
אב = ____________
Since ה means 'not understanding, or those who don't understand' What does the word LOVE mean?
אהב = ____________
Did you see it as א(ה)ב or אב with ה in his heart? The father with those who don't understand in his heart.
4. ✅ True or Not True?
Circle T or N
- Hebrew letters have special meaning T / N
- Notarikon is just for fun T / N
- God made the world by speaking T / N
- The word “Bereshit” means “In the beginning” T / N
5. 🙏 Thank You, God!
“Dear God, thank You for creating a language full of Your love. Help me to listen to…”
(Draw or write your prayer below.)
🖍️ Coloring Page Idea
Title: “God’s Alphabet Tells His Story!”
Illustration includes:
- Big Hebrew letters: א, ב, ד, י, ו, מ
- A scroll that says “Bereshit” with rays of light shining out
- The earth being formed as Hebrew letters float around it
- A smiling child reading the Bible while stars and letters swirl above
- A heart-shaped speech bubble saying: “My Word brings life.”
