The Hebrew Letter: MEM (מ)

The letter MEM (מ) is the thirteenth letter of the Hebrew alphabet. It has a profound significance in the Hebrew language and Scripture, symbolizing water, wisdom, and revealed knowledge. The shape of MEM resembles the flowing of water, signifying life, purification, and nourishment. It is seen as a vessel that holds the flowing waters of wisdom, understanding, and divine revelation.

The numerical value of MEM is 40, a number that is highly significant in biblical tradition. The number 40 is associated with testing, trial, purification, and transformation. It represents periods of spiritual preparation or formation, such as the 40 years the Israelites spent in the desert or the 40 days Moses spent on Mount Sinai. These periods were times of deep learning and spiritual renewal, aligning with the nature of MEM as a letter of formation and spiritual sustenance.

Words Formed from MEM

The letter MEM is found in many words that are central to the Hebrew faith, including terms that represent life, wisdom, nourishment, and the divine flow of knowledge.

1. מַיִם (Mayim) – Water: The word Mayim, meaning water, is one of the most basic and significant words associated with MEM. Water in Scripture is often a symbol of life, purification, and blessing. It represents the essential nature of God’s provision and the life-giving force that sustains all creation.
   • Biblical Example: John 7:37-38 – “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” Here, living water symbolizes the Holy Spirit, who provides spiritual nourishment and life.
2. מַחְשָׁבָה (Machshavah) – Thought, Plan: The word Machshavah means thought or plan. It refers to the mind’s inner workings, the process of reasoning, and the formation of intentions or ideas. MEM here represents the deep waters of the mind, from which plans and ideas flow.
   • Biblical Example: Jeremiah 29:11 – “For I know the plans (machshavah) I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” God’s thoughts and plans are like deep, nourishing waters, bringing blessing and hope to His people.
3. מַתָּנָה (Matnah) – Gift: The word Matnah means gift and speaks to the nourishing nature of God’s gifts to His people. Gifts, whether material or spiritual, are like water, which flows freely and provides for every need.
   • Biblical Example: James 1:17 – “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” Gifts from God are portrayed as blessings, like water, that flow from Him.
4. מַכְּבֵּר (Makkebir) – Breaker, Burden Bearer: This word, related to MEM, speaks of a powerful force that can break through obstacles, much like water erodes and reshapes the land over time.
   • Biblical Example: Isaiah 59:19 – “So shall they fear the name of the Lord from the west, and His glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him.” Here, the floodwaters are a powerful force, much like the nourishing but forceful flow of water in MEM.

Scriptural References Connected to MEM

1. Genesis 1:2 – “The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.” The opening passage of the Bible introduces waters as a powerful, creative force. MEM, symbolizing water, marks the beginning of creation, with God’s Spirit working over the waters to bring forth life.
2. Exodus 14:21 – “Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the Lord caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea into dry land, and the waters were divided.” In this instance, water is used by God as a means of deliverance, showing that the flow of water can represent both blessing and deliverance.
3. Psalm 42:1-2 – “As the deer pants for the water brooks, so my soul pants for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.” Here, the Psalmist’s thirst for God is likened to the thirst of the deer for water, symbolizing the spiritual nourishment and life-giving sustenance that only God can provide.
4. Proverbs 2:6 – “For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.” Wisdom is often likened to water, which is a source of life and sustenance. In this passage, God’s wisdom flows like living water, nourishing and refreshing the soul.
5. Ezekiel 36:25-26 – “Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.” The sprinkling of clean water symbolizes purification and the renewal of life, reflecting the spiritual cleansing that MEM represents.

Ancient Meaning and Hidden History of MEM

The ancient Hebrew letter MEM is said to have originated from the pictograph of water or a wave, highlighting the connection between water and life. In ancient times, water was the most crucial resource for survival and was symbolic of the nourishment that sustains the physical body. In the biblical context, water was not just a physical need but also a spiritual need for cleansing, renewal, and growth.

Historically, MEM was seen as the symbol of God’s provision. The Israelites, in their journey through the desert, were provided with water from the rock, a constant reminder that God is the source of both physical and spiritual nourishment. MEM represents the flow of God’s Word and Spirit, which nourishes, cleanses, and sustains believers in their journey with God.

The Role of MEM in Your Spiritual Journey

In your spiritual journey, MEM invites you to nourish your soul with the living water of God’s Word. Just as water refreshes and sustains the body, the wisdom and truth from God’s Scriptures provide spiritual nourishment and cleansing for your life. MEM speaks of God’s provision, His cleansing power, and the constant flow of His life-giving presence.

The letter MEM encourages you to seek God’s wisdom as a primary source of nourishment in your life. It teaches you that, just as physical water is essential to survival, spiritual water from God is essential for a thriving relationship with Him. MEM also signifies the importance of purification, where God removes the impurities from your heart and mind and fills you with His wisdom.

When to Use MEM Oil in Prayer

1. Prayers for Wisdom and Understanding: Use MEM oil when seeking deeper insight into God’s Word and when desiring His guidance in difficult situations. This oil represents nourishment from the Lord and the flowing waters of wisdom that help you grow in understanding.
2. Prayers for Spiritual Cleansing: Apply MEM oil in moments of repentance, asking God to cleanse your heart and mind from the influences of sin and impurity. The water symbolism connects to the purification that only God can provide.
3. Prayers for Deliverance and Life-Giving Nourishment: MEM oil can be used when praying for deliverance from spiritual droughts or difficult circumstances. Just as water brings life, ask God to refresh your spirit and provide what you need for your journey.
4. Prayers for Renewal and Transformation: Use MEM oil during times of transformation, as it symbolizes spiritual renewal. Ask God to renew your heart, mind, and spirit, and to fill you with His wisdom and guidance.

By anointing with MEM oil, you are inviting God’s living water to flow freely through your life, providing spiritual nourishment, cleansing, and wisdom as you continue your journey with Him.