Secret of the Hebrew letter Samech

Transcript of “Secret of the Hebrew letter Samech”

The 15th letter of the Hebrew alphabet is SAMECH.

The numeric value of SAMECH is 60.

The pictogram, or symbol, behind the shape of the letter SAMECH, is a circle, indicating to surround, to protect.

The Hebrew word SAVAV (SAMECH BET BET) means to surround or to encircle. The spelling of the word starts with a SAMECH.

The Hebrew word SAVIV (SAMECH BET YUD BET) means "all around, encircling, on all sides". Again, the spelling of the word starts with a SAMECH.

The Hebrew word SOCHECH (SAMECH KAF KAF) means "a protective shield". Again, the spelling of the word starts with a SAMECH.

SAMECH, as a word in Hebrew, is spelled SAMECH MEM KAF. The word SAMACH, same spelling but a slightly different pronunciation, means "to sustain, to uphold, to rely upon, to strengthen or refresh".

The idea on view here, both from the pictogram and from the meaning of the word SAMECH (and related words), is clear ... Jesus is our Protector. In Him, we are secure. And, I think the implication is that it is only in Him that we are secure.

Psalm 118:8 is the middle verse of the Bible, based on a word count in the original languages. Psalm 118:8 says, "It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man." In Hebrew, "Tov lachasot be’Adonai mibtoach be'adam."

"Take refuge" in the LORD. Take refuge in Jesus. Hide in Him. Be found in Him. Let Him be your protector and shield.

This thought is carried through into the New Testament.

We are told over and over again that those who have saving faith in Jesus are "in Him", "in Christ", "in the Beloved".

For example, Ephesians 1:3-14 say in part: "... God ... has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenlies in Christ ... He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world ... His grace which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our sins ... according to His intention which He purposed in Him ... the summing up of all things in Christ ... In Him also we have obtained an inheritance ... that we who were the first to hope in Christ would be to the praise of His glory. In Him ... we believed the gospel of our salvation ... in Him we were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise..."

In this passage we are told ten times that we are "in Jesus" and of the blessings of that spiritual state.

It is not difficult to see our need to be protected by the LORD, to see Him as the shield surrounding us. But the New Testament also shows that He is in us. Galatians chapter 2 verse 20 says: "I have been crucified with Christ. I no longer live, but Christ lives in me".

Colossians chapter 1 verse 27 says of believers: "Christ in you, the hope of glory."

It is interesting how this thought – of you being in Christ and He being in you – is hinted at in the Old Testament.

Take a book that is full of imagery – Song of Songs – a book which many see not just as a love song of King Solomon for the Shulammite maid, but also as a picture of the LORD's love for His bride, the church.

Jewish people read this book in their synagogues at Passover each year.

Chapter 3 verse 7 says: "Behold, it is the couch of Solomon. Sixty mighty men around it, of the mighty men of Israel."

The numeric value of SAMECH is sixty. The picture here is of these sixty mighty men surrounding the throne of Solomon. The Hebrew word is "SAVIV" (SAMECH BET YUD BET). "Shishim gibburim saviv la".

Then in chapter 6 verse 8 we read that Solomon was attended by "sixty queens". I am sure that the number sixty is not there by random chance – in both cases.

The numeric value of SAMECH is sixty. SAMECH speaks of being surrounded and protected.

We are in Christ. He is our Protector – like the mighty men around Solomon. But He is also in us. Our relationship is that close. Even as Solomon was attended by sixty queens.