Bible Dictionary
TETH
Teth is the ninth letter of the Hebrew alphabet, representing a distinctive or emphatic “t” sound. It was also used as the numeral nine and in certain combinations to represent fifteen and sixteen.
Definition
Teth is the ninth letter of the Hebrew alphabet. It represents a more intense or emphatic “t” sound and was also used as a numerical sign.
Biblical Usage
The source gives no specific biblical appearance or theological association for Teth beyond its use in the Hebrew alphabet and in numerical notation.
Historical Background
Teth was used for nine. Combined with waw it represented fifteen, and with zayin it represented sixteen. These combinations avoided forming regular numerical series with the abbreviation for Yahweh.
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>teth (T): The 9th letter of the Hebrew alphabet; transliterated in this Encyclopedia as "T" (a more intense "t"). It came also to be used for the number 9; and with waw ("w") for 15, with zayin ("z") for 16 (i.e. 9 plus 6 and 9 plus 7) to avoid forming regular series with the abbreviation for Yahweh. For name, etc., see ALPHABET.</p>