תְּפִלָּה

Prayer

te-fi-LAH

About “Prayer” in Hebrew

Jewish prayer is structured around three daily services: Shacharit (morning), Mincha (afternoon), and Ma'ariv (evening), traditionally said to correspond to the prayers of the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The root of tefillah means 'to judge oneself,' suggesting that prayer is as much about self-reflection as communication with God.

Example

הַתְּפִלָּה מְחַזֶּקֶת אֶת הַנְּשָׁמָה.
Prayer strengthens the soul.

Gematria of “Prayer” (תפילה)

In Hebrew numerology (gematria), each letter has a numerical value. The word תפילה (te-fi-LAH) has a gematria value of 525.

400ת+
80פ+
10י+
30ל+
5ה
 =
total525

Torah Verses with Gematria 525

These Bible verses share the same numerical value as “Prayer” (525).

Genesis 19:18בראשית 19:18

ויאמר לוט אלהם אל נא אדני

But Lot said to them, “Oh no, my lord!

English translation: THE JPS TANAKH, Revised Edition (2023) © Jewish Publication Society, via Sefaria. CC BY-NC 4.0

Prayer” in the Bible

Verses from the Torah and Hebrew Bible (Tanakh) mentioning “prayer”.

Daniel 9:3דניאל 9:3

ואתנה את פני אל אדני האלהים לבקש תפלה ותחנונים בצום ושק ואפר

I turned my face to the Sovereign God, devoting myself to prayer and supplication, in fasting, in sackcloth and ashes.

Daniel 9:17דניאל 9:17

ועתה שמע אלהינו אל תפלת עבדך ואל תחנוניו והאר פניך על מקדשך השמם למען אדני

“O our God, hear now the prayer of Your servant and his plea, and show Your favor to Your desolate sanctuary, for [Your] sake, O my Sovereign.

Daniel 9:21דניאל 9:21

ועוד אני מדבר בתפלה והאיש גבריאל אשר ראיתי בחזון בתחלה מעף ביעף נגע אלי כעת מנחת ערב

While I was uttering my prayer, the figure whom I had previously seen in the vision, Gabriel, was sent forth in flight, and reached me about the time of the evening offering.

English translation: THE JPS TANAKH, Revised Edition (2023) © Jewish Publication Society, via Sefaria. CC BY-NC 4.0

This word starts with the Hebrew letter tav.

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