Learning a Little Hebrew: The Mystery of Aleph-Tav (אֵת)
ללמוד עברית
Introduction: The Significance of Aleph-Tav
The Hebrew Aleph-Tav (אֵת) is a small but profound combination of letters found throughout the Hebrew Bible. Though seemingly a grammatical marker, its presence holds deep spiritual significance for those who seek to understand its mystery.
Aleph (א) is the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet, and Tav (ת) is the last letter, much like the English phrase “A to Z” or the Greek “Alpha and Omega” (Α – Ω). The expression Aleph-Tav can thus be understood as meaning “the beginning and the end, and everything in between.”
But there is something extraordinary about how Aleph-Tav appears in the original Hebrew text of the Bible—especially in passages that hint at a Messianic connection.
Aleph-Tav in Genesis 1:1
One of the most striking appearances of Aleph-Tav is found in Genesis 1:1, the very first verse of the Bible:
בְּרֵאשִׁית בָּרָא אֱלֹהִים אֵת הַשָּׁמַיִם וְאֵת הָאָרֶץ.
Transliteration:
Bereishit bara Elohim et hashamayim v’et haaretz.
English Translation:
“In the beginning, God created את the heavens and ואת the earth.”
At first glance, the Hebrew word אֵת (et) appears to be an untranslatable part of Hebrew grammar, serving as a direct object marker. However, why would the first sentence in Scripture—a statement about the beginning of creation itself—contain this specific Aleph-Tav construction twice?
For believers who see Messianic foreshadowing in the Old Testament, this is no coincidence. In the book of Revelation, Yeshua (Jesus) declares Himself to be the “Alpha and the Omega”, the beginning and the end:
📖 Revelation 22:12-13
“Behold, I am coming quickly… I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.”
If Aleph-Tav is the Hebrew equivalent of Alpha and Omega, could this be a hidden reference to the Messiah in Genesis 1:1? Could it be that Yeshua, the Aleph and Tav, was present in the very act of creation?
Messianic Connections: Aleph-Tav in Prophecy
The Aleph-Tav appears thousands of times throughout the Hebrew Scriptures. While many instances may serve as grammatical markers, there are several key passages where the placement of Aleph-Tav carries profound meaning—especially in Messianic prophecies.
Zechariah 12:10 – “They Shall Look Upon Me, את Whom They Have Pierced”
📖 Zechariah 12:10 (Literal Hebrew translation)
“And I will pour out on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. And they will look to Me את whom they have pierced.”
In this verse, the Aleph-Tav (את) appears directly before “whom they have pierced”—a prophecy widely understood as referring to the crucifixion of Yeshua. The exact placement of the Aleph-Tav in the Hebrew text is remarkable. It suggests that Yeshua, the Aleph and the Tav, is the One who was pierced.
Micah 5:1 – “The Judge of Israel”
📖 Micah 5:1 (Literal Hebrew translation)
“And they will strike upon the cheek the את judge of Israel with a rod.”
Again, the Aleph-Tav appears before “judge of Israel”, subtly identifying the Messiah as the One who will be struck.
These examples strengthen the case that the Aleph-Tav in the Hebrew Scriptures could point to Yeshua—the One who declared Himself as the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.
A Pattern Hidden in Plain Sight?
For centuries, Jewish scribes faithfully copied the Aleph-Tav in the Torah and the Prophets, even though its meaning was not fully understood. Today, with the revelation of Yeshua, many see Aleph-Tav as a signature of the Messiah embedded in the Hebrew text itself.
Could it be that Yeshua—the One who was with God in the beginning—left His divine fingerprint throughout the Scriptures?
As John 1:1-3 says:
📖 John 1:1-3
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. Through Him all things were made.”
This directly parallels Genesis 1:1, where the Aleph-Tav stands in the middle of creation itself.
Conclusion: Yeshua, the Aleph and the Tav
Understanding the Aleph-Tav opens up a deeper layer of meaning in the Hebrew Scriptures. Whether in Genesis, the Prophets, or Revelation, the First and the Last—Yeshua—is woven throughout the biblical text.
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