Hebrew numerals facts for kids

The system of Hebrew numerals is a quasi-decimal alphabetic numeral system using the letters of the Hebrew alphabet.

In this system, zero does not have a place, and the number values for each letter are added together. Each unit (1, 2, ..., 9) is assigned a separate letter, each tens (10, 20, ..., 90) a separate letter, and each hundreds (100, 200, ..., 900) a separate letter.

Main table

Hebrew has masculine and feminine ways of saying the words. For just counting, feminine is used. Otherwise, the gender is used (ex. two boys, two girls).

• The number is first, then the noun (ex. shlosha yeladim), except for number one where it is reversed (ex. yelad echad).
• The number two is special. Shnayim (m.) and shtayim (f.) become shney (m.), and shtey (f.) when describing the number of some noun.
• Mixed groups are always addressed as male, which is the case with all Hebrew.
• Objects are either male or female (ex. a book (sefer) is male).

Images for kids

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  The lower clock on the Jewish Town Hall building in Prague, with Hebrew numerals in counterclockwise order.

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  Early 20th century pocket watches with Hebrew numerals in clockwise order (Jewish Museum, Berlin).

See also

In Spanish: Numeración hebrea para niños