Samekh is the fifteenth letter of the Hebrew alphabet, represented by the symbol ס. In terms of its origins, samekh is believed to be derived from the Phoenician letter sāmekh, which also had the same phonetic value.
As a consonant, samekh typically has the sound of a voiceless alveolar fricative, similar to the English "s" sound. However, in modern Hebrew, samekh may also be pronounced with a uvular sound, similar to the "kh" in German "Bach".
In the realm of Hebrew numerology, samekh has a numerical value of 60. In Hebrew gematria, the study of assigning numerical values to letters and words, this numerical value is often used to represent perfection, as the number 6 denotes completion and the number 10 represents the divine.
In the Hebrew language, samekh is commonly used as a preposition meaning "like" or "similar to." Additionally, samekh is frequently seen as a prefix to indicate similarity. Furthermore, samekh can function as a consonantal marker known as a dageish, indicating that the proceeding consonant should be pronounced with a doubled or heavy sound.
Symbolically, samekh is often associated with the concept of support or reliance, as the shape of the letter is reminiscent of a prop or pillar. It represents strength and stability, serving as a visual reminder of the interdependence of different elements in the world.
