ר
Resh
Head, person, chief, beginning, highest
Resh (ר) is the twentieth letter of the Hebrew alphabet, and its ancient pictographic form was a human head — representing leadership, authority, and the beginning of things. The Hebrew word 'rosh' (רֹאשׁ, head) gives us Rosh Hashanah (Head of the Year/New Year), Rosh Chodesh (Head of the Month), and the concept of being the 'head and not the tail' (Deuteronomy 28:13). Resh teaches that true leadership begins in the mind — with right thinking, vision, and wisdom. Every great endeavor starts with what happens in the 'rosh' (head) before it manifests in action.
How to Pronounce Resh
Resh makes an 'R' sound. In modern Israeli Hebrew, it's a guttural R from the back of the throat, similar to the French R. In some traditions, it's rolled.
“The LORD will make you the head (rosh), not the tail. If you pay attention to the commands of the LORD your God.”
Ancient Pictographic Form
The ancient Resh was drawn as a human head in profile. It evolved through Phoenician into the Greek Rho (Ρ) and the Latin R.
Pictograph: A person's head in profile
Spiritual Significance
Resh represents leadership, headship, and the power of thought. As the 'head' letter, it teaches that spiritual transformation begins in the mind (Romans 12:2). Its value of 200 connects to the concept of double blessing and abundant provision.
Connection to Scripture
Bereshit (בְּרֵאשִׁית, 'In the beginning') contains Resh — the head/beginning of all things. Ruach (Spirit) begins with Resh — the Spirit of God hovered over the waters. Rosh Hashanah celebrates the 'head of the year.'
Words That Begin with Resh
Rosh
Head, beginning
Ruach
Spirit, wind, breath
Rachamim
Mercy, compassion
Ratzon
Will, desire
Reshit
Beginning, firstfruits
Modern Hebrew Usage
In modern Hebrew, Resh appears in words like רֹאשׁ (rosh, head), רוּחַ (ruach, spirit/wind), רַחֲמִים (rachamim, mercy/compassion), and רָצוֹן (ratzon, will/desire).
People Also Ask
What does Rosh mean in Hebrew?
Rosh (רֹאשׁ) means 'head' in Hebrew. It represents leadership, authority, and the beginning of things. It appears in Rosh Hashanah (Head of the Year), Rosh Chodesh (Head of the Month), and the concept of being the 'head and not the tail.'
What is the connection between Resh and the Holy Spirit?
The Hebrew word for Spirit — Ruach (רוּחַ) — begins with Resh. Ruach means spirit, wind, and breath. The Spirit of God (Ruach Elohim) hovered over the waters in Genesis 1:2, connecting Resh to the divine presence that brings life and order.
Fun Fact
The word 'Bereshit' (In the beginning) — the very first word of the Bible — contains Resh at its heart. Some rabbis read it as 'B-Rosh-it' — 'with the head/beginning He created' — suggesting that creation began with divine thought.
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