GIM-el or gee-MEL
GIMEL is the third letter of the Hebrew alphabet (ג), representing the 'g' sound. In word games, this 5-letter word scores 8 points in Scrabble, with G and M each contributing valuable points.
8
Points in Scrabble
Base tile values • No multipliers applied
💡 Pro Tip:
GIMEL is perfect for themed games or when you have G and M tiles. The word's Hebrew origin makes it less common knowledge, giving you an edge. With G (2 pts) and M (3 pts) providing 5 of the 8 total points, strategic placement on premium squares can yield excellent scores.
Gimel stands as the third letter of the Hebrew alphabet, a symbol carrying millennia of linguistic, religious, and mystical significance. Written as ג in Hebrew script, gimel represents more than just a sound—it embodies concepts of movement, generosity, and spiritual journey. From ancient scrolls to modern Hebrew texts, from religious study to word games, gimel bridges the sacred and secular, connecting contemporary players to one of humanity's oldest writing systems.
In Hebrew, gimel produces a hard 'g' sound, as in "go" or "give." The letter's name itself may derive from 'gamal,' meaning camel, and ancient Hebrew pictographs indeed resembled a camel's neck and head. This association with camels—desert travelers carrying goods across vast distances—infuses gimel with themes of journey, burden-bearing, and connection between distant places. The letter's numerical value in gematria (Hebrew numerology) is 3, linking it to concepts of synthesis and balance.
Jewish mysticism, particularly Kabbalah, attributes profound meaning to gimel. The letter's form—a vav (representing a person) with a yud (representing a foot) extended forward—depicts someone running to give charity. This interpretation connects gimel to 'gemilut chasadim' (acts of loving-kindness), one of Judaism's core values. The Talmud teaches that gimel faces the next letter, dalet (representing the poor), illustrating the wealthy running after the poor to provide assistance.
The Hebrew alphabet's influence extends far beyond Jewish culture. As one of the world's oldest alphabets still in use, Hebrew letters influenced Greek, Latin, and ultimately our modern English alphabet. Gimel became Greek gamma (Γ), then Latin C and G, making gimel the ancestor of two English letters. This linguistic genealogy demonstrates how ancient symbols persist and transform, carrying meaning across cultures and millennia.
In contemporary usage, gimel appears in various contexts beyond religious texts. Israeli currency features Hebrew letters as denomination markers. Mathematical notation uses Hebrew letters, including gimel, for certain functions. The dreidel—a Hanukkah spinning top—bears gimel as one of four letters, where it stands for 'gadol' (great) in the phrase "Nes gadol haya sham" (A great miracle happened there). This playful application shows how ancient letters remain vibrant in modern culture.
For Scrabble enthusiasts, GIMEL represents a valuable addition to their Hebrew letter vocabulary. Alongside ALEPH, BETH, DALETH, and others, these words offer unique scoring opportunities while honoring linguistic heritage. GIMEL's combination of common vowels (I, E) with less common consonants (G worth 2, M worth 3) creates a balanced word that's neither too easy nor impossibly rare. Knowledge of Hebrew letters can provide crucial endgame plays when common words are exhausted.
The etymology of GIMEL varies based on its origin and usage in the English language.
Other Hebrew letters in English
Aleph (א)
First letter, silent consonant
Beth (ב)
Second letter, 'b' sound
Daleth (ד)
Fourth letter, 'd' sound
Kaph (כ)
Eleventh letter, 'k' sound
Qoph (ק)
Nineteenth letter, 'q' sound
Tav (ת)
Last letter, 't' sound
Associated terms and ideas
Gematria
Hebrew numerology system
Gamal
Camel (possible etymology)
Gemilut Chasadim
Acts of loving-kindness
Gamma (Γ)
Greek letter derived from gimel
Dreidel
Spinning top with Hebrew letters
Alphabet
From aleph-beth
Singular
gimel
The letter gimel represents 'g'.
Plural
gimels
Count the gimels in this text.
Alternative Spelling
gimmel
Some sources use gimmel.
Hebrew Form
ג
The Hebrew character itself.
Related Terms
Learning Hebrew ABCs
Grammatical marking
Final forms (not gimel)
Gimel = 3
"The Hebrew teacher pointed to the board: 'After beth comes gimel, which looks like a person walking and represents the number three.'"
"In her calligraphy practice, Sarah struggled with gimel's curved stroke, which required a different wrist motion than English letters."
"The linguistics professor explained how gimel evolved into both C and G in the Latin alphabet, demonstrating language evolution."
"During Hanukkah, the children cheered when the dreidel landed on gimel, allowing the spinner to claim all the chocolate coins."
"The mystic explained that gimel's shape—a figure in motion—represents the soul's journey toward enlightenment."
"Knowing Hebrew letters paid off when I played GIMEL for 24 points, using the G on a double letter score."
"My opponent challenged GIMEL, but the dictionary confirmed it—those Hebrew alphabet words are legitimate!"
Total base points: 8 (Scrabble)
Vowels: 2 | Consonants: 3
Key tiles: G and M = 5 pts combined
5-letter anagrams and related words
Full anagrams:
Can be extended to:
Contains these words:
Note: Hebrew pronunciation varies; shown are English rhymes
If you can't play GIMEL, consider these subwords:
Hebrew represents one of humanity's greatest linguistic resurrections. After existing primarily as a liturgical language for nearly 2,000 years, Hebrew was revived as a spoken language in the late 19th century. Today, 9 million people speak Hebrew daily, using the same alphabet—including gimel—that appears in Dead Sea Scrolls from 2,000 years ago. This continuity makes Hebrew letters living artifacts, connecting modern speakers directly to ancient texts.
Jewish mysticism assigns deep meaning to each Hebrew letter. Gimel's association with generosity and movement reflects in Kabbalistic teachings about divine energy flowing through creation. The letter's numerical value (3) connects to synthesis—uniting opposites to create something new. Modern practitioners meditate on Hebrew letters, including gimel, as spiritual tools. This mystical approach influences contemporary art, jewelry design, and even technology company names seeking deeper meaning.
Teaching Hebrew letters like gimel has evolved dramatically. From traditional cheder methods to gamified apps, educators continually innovate. The visual nature of Hebrew letters—each with distinct personality—aids memory. Gimel's camel association creates memorable mnemonics. Modern Hebrew education often introduces letters through stories: gimel the generous giver, running to help dalet the poor. These narrative approaches make ancient letters accessible to new generations.
Unicode standardization ensures Hebrew letters like gimel survive digitally. Early computing struggled with right-to-left scripts, but modern systems seamlessly handle Hebrew text. Digital Hebrew fonts range from traditional Torah script to modern sans-serifs. Online Hebrew learning platforms reach global audiences, spreading knowledge of letters like gimel beyond traditional communities. This digital preservation guarantees these ancient symbols remain relevant in our interconnected world.
Gimel vs. Gimbal
Gimel is Hebrew letter; gimbal is pivoted support
Gimel vs. Camel
Related etymology but different words
Pronunciation varies
GIM-el or gee-MEL both acceptable
Not Greek gamma
Though related, these are distinct
Other Hebrew letters and cultural words in Scrabble
Practice unscrambling letters to find more high-scoring words like GIMEL