אוֹת
Ot
Sign, wonder, miracle, symbol
Ot (אוֹת) is a Hebrew word meaning “sign, wonder, miracle, symbol,” pronounced “OHT.” Derived from the root א-ו-ת, ot appears 79 times in the Hebrew Bible (Strong's H226).
| Hebrew | אוֹת |
|---|---|
| Transliteration | Ot |
| Pronunciation | OHT |
| Meaning | Sign, wonder, miracle, symbol |
| Root Letters | א-ו-ת |
| Occurrences in Hebrew Bible | 79× |
| Key Verse | Isaiah 7:14 |
| Strong's Number | H226 |
| Category | Additional Important Words |
The Hebrew word ot (אוֹת) carries a meaning that connects the ordinary and the miraculous in a way that transforms how you see God's activity in the world. An ot is a sign — but in Hebrew, signs are not just supernatural spectacles. The rainbow is an ot (Genesis 9:12) — God's covenant sign in nature. Circumcision is an ot (Genesis 17:11) — God's covenant sign in the body. The Sabbath is an ot (Exodus 31:13) — God's covenant sign in time. And the virgin birth is an ot (Isaiah 7:14) — God's supreme sign in history. Every ot points beyond itself to a greater reality — it is God's way of making the invisible visible, the spiritual tangible. Remarkably, the Hebrew letters themselves are called 'otot' — signs. Every letter of the alphabet is an ot, and the Word of God is composed of otot upon otot. This means that language itself — the ability to communicate truth through signs — is God's gift, and every word of Scripture is a collection of divine signs pointing to ultimate truth.
Key Bible Verse: Isaiah 7:14
“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign (ot). Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”
What Is the Root of Ot in Hebrew?
Ot may come from a root meaning 'to come' or 'to consent,' suggesting that a sign is something that arrives as confirmation or agreement. Others connect it to 'mark' or 'signal.' Remarkably, ot is also the word for each letter of the Hebrew alphabet — every letter is a 'sign.'
What Does Ot Mean in the Bible?
Ot appears 79 times in the Hebrew Bible. It describes the plagues in Egypt as signs (Exodus 7:3), the rainbow (Genesis 9:12), circumcision (Genesis 17:11), the Sabbath (Exodus 31:13), prophetic signs (Isaiah 7:14, 38:7), and the Hebrew letters themselves.
How Is Ot Used in Modern Hebrew?
In modern Hebrew, 'ot' means both 'letter of the alphabet' and 'sign/signal.' Traffic signs, road signs, and symbols are all called 'otot.' The dual meaning preserves the ancient sense that signs — whether linguistic or miraculous — are communications from a reality beyond the surface.
How to Use Ot in Prayer & Worship
Ask God to open your eyes to His otot — the signs He is placing in your path. Some are miraculous; others are as quiet as a rainbow after rain. Every sign points beyond itself to His faithfulness. And ask for the ot of Immanuel — the assurance that God is with you.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ot
How do you say “Sign” in Hebrew?
“Sign” in Hebrew is Ot (אוֹת), pronounced “OHT.” Ot may come from a root meaning 'to come' or 'to consent,' suggesting that a sign is something that arrives as confirmation or agreement. Others connect it to 'mark' or 'signal.' Remarkably, ot is also the word for each letter of the Hebrew alphabet — every letter is a 'sign.'
What does Ot mean in the Bible?
Ot (אוֹת) means “Sign, wonder, miracle, symbol” in Biblical Hebrew. Ot appears 79 times in the Hebrew Bible. It describes the plagues in Egypt as signs (Exodus 7:3), the rainbow (Genesis 9:12), circumcision (Genesis 17:11), the Sabbath (Exodus 31:13), prophetic signs (Isaiah 7:14, 38:7), and the Hebrew letters themselves.
How do you pronounce Ot?
Ot is pronounced “OHT.” The word comes from the Hebrew root א-ו-ת.
What are 'signs and wonders' in the Bible?
The phrase 'otot u'moftim' (signs and wonders) describes God's miraculous interventions, especially during the Exodus (Deuteronomy 6:22). An ot (sign) points to meaning and confirms God's message. A mofet (wonder) evokes awe and reveals God's power. Together they are God's way of authenticating His messengers and His message through visible, undeniable acts.
What is the sign in Isaiah 7:14?
Isaiah 7:14 prophesies: 'The Lord Himself will give you an ot — a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, Immanuel.' Christians see this fulfilled in the virgin birth of Jesus. The ot is not merely the miraculous conception but the name 'Immanuel' — God with us — the ultimate sign that God has entered human history in person.
Why are Hebrew letters called otot (signs)?
Each Hebrew letter is called an 'ot' — a sign. This reflects the belief that the Hebrew alphabet is not arbitrary but divinely designed. Each letter carries meaning beyond its sound. In Jewish mystical tradition, God created the world through the otot of the Hebrew alphabet — speech and sign united in creation.
Sources & Further Study
- Blue Letter Bible — H226: Ot
- Bible Gateway — Isaiah 7:14 (ESV)
- Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (BDB) — entry for א-ו-ת
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