The Value of Words

There is a value-added to words. Throughout mankind’s civilizations, words have been used as double-edged swords or remarkable healing tools to comfort aching souls. In this series about words, I begin by focusing on the spiritual meaning of words from a Hebrew perspective. I will take a top-down approach, starting with the highest good and then drilling down to the crudest form, words used to maim.

The Phrase “In the Beginning was the Word”

This phrase holds profound significance in Hebrew spirituality, serving as the cornerstone of the creation narrative. It is rooted in the opening verses of the Book of Genesis, the foundational text of the Hebrew Bible, often referred to as the Tanakh. The Tanakh is the foundational sacred text in Judaism, consisting of three main sections. This statement encapsulates the belief that words, as expressed through divine speech, initiated the very fabric of existence. When you hear the expression “choose your words wisely,” it refers to the power, the all-mighty power of words.

This concept is that the Word represents a powerful creative force. The Divine utterance suggests that God, The One, or Great Spirit, spoke into existence and brought the universe into being. Words are seen as an active agent, not merely a means of communication but a catalyst for creation. The Hebrew language has a unique potency. The words carry inherent power, and speaking or reading them is considered sacred. That is due to the deeper hidden meanings behind each letter of the alphabet…