The Greek Qabalah: Alphabetical Mysticism and Numerology in the Ancient World

Rating:
Summary: A landmark book in its field
Review: Barry's new book from Weiser is incredibly insightful and well researched in terms of tracing the historical roots of the practical forms of Qabalah (ie: isopsephy or gematria, notaricon, arithmology, alphabetic symbolsm, etc.) to the Pythagorean, Platonic, Hermetic, Gnostic and Alexandrain schools of Greece as opposed to the commonly held belief of it's classical roots within the Hebraic tradition. Though perhaps a bit dry at points due to it's academic approach, the book is well worth the cover price for the dictonary of Greek gematria (ala Sepher Sephiroth) alone, which provides the serious student of Qabalah with a wealth of material from which to start building upon in their own researches into the Greek language.

Barry hits home time and time again with demonstrable examples of practical qabalistic exegesis from Aristotle to Zosimos, citing examples that range from classic biblical sources and Gnostic texts to Egyptian magical papyri and even common Roman graffiti. Besides excellent examples of dated sources, Barry also leads us along the paths and byways of language itself, giving us a scholarly view of the very nature of the power of the word and how these words and letters were viewed and utilized by the ancient world to literally command the forces and potencies of nature. Whether you're an armchair numerologist, practicing qabalistic magician, or just wish to get a clearer view into the common roots of language, Barry's "The Greek Qabalah" serves up all of it in spades. Probably one of the most comprehensive and concise books on the topic, that will undoubtedly become a classic for scholarly research in this field well into the future.

Rating:
Summary: True Roots of the Tree of Life
Review: Barry's new book from Weiser is incredibly insightful and well researched in terms of tracing the historical roots of the practical forms of Qabalah (ie: isopsephy or gematria, notaricon, arithmology, alphabetic symbolsm, etc.) to the Pythagorean, Platonic, Hermetic, Gnostic and Alexandrain schools of Greece as opposed to the commonly held belief of it's classical roots within the Hebraic tradition. Though perhaps a bit dry at points due to it's academic approach, the book is well worth the cover price for the dictonary of Greek gematria (ala Sepher Sephiroth) alone, which provides the serious student of Qabalah with a wealth of material from which to start building upon in their own researches into the Greek language.

Barry hits home time and time again with demonstrable examples of practical qabalistic exegesis from Aristotle to Zosimos, citing examples that range from classic biblical sources and Gnostic texts to Egyptian magical papyri and even common Roman graffiti. Besides excellent examples of dated sources, Barry also leads us along the paths and byways of language itself, giving us a scholarly view of the very nature of the power of the word and how these words and letters were viewed and utilized by the ancient world to literally command the forces and potencies of nature. Whether you're an armchair numerologist, practicing qabalistic magician, or just wish to get a clearer view into the common roots of language, Barry's "The Greek Qabalah" serves up all of it in spades. Probably one of the most comprehensive and concise books on the topic, that will undoubtedly become a classic for scholarly research in this field well into the future.

Rating:
Summary: A landmark book in its field
Review: It is high time that someone wrote a book which attempts to examine the roots of the Hebrew "literal qabalah". KB has done a good job with this book, which is really first of a kind. Weiser is quite right to say, that the some people may find KB's conclusions to be controversial; namely that the Hebrew literal qabalah actually has Greek origins. There is however, one obvious weakness with KB's book. He has quoted numerous ancient Greek writings, but however, he has quoted virtually no ancient Hebrew writings. This book is very one-sided. Just because KB may not (perhaps) be able to read Hebrew, is no excuse to ignore the huge amount of ancient Hebraic writings. Most of the time, when KB refers to not-so-ancient Hebraic texts, he only quotes what some other reviewers have said. This book appears to be filled with 95% Greek references and only 5% Hebrew. So it is no wonder that he thinks that the literal qabalah has Greek roots. He devotes a pitiful two sentences to the oldest historical example of "gematria", namely the Assyrian script which mentions the Wall of Khorsabad (ca. 700 BC). He fails to even consider or mention the possible implications! This most ancient of examples suggests that the Jews are not indebted to the Greeks, rather, they are indebted to the Assyrio-Babylonian civilization. This example is solid proof that letter-number symbolism was ALREADY WELL-KNOWN to the Babylonians when the Jews were taken into Captivity, and it is during the Captivity (many Qabalists believe) that the Jewish priests incorporated number-letter symbolism into the Sacred Scriptures - adapting methods already in usage by the Babylonian priesthood. After the Exile, the Hexateuch was now substantially complete, and it embodied the number-letter code. The one biblical example often quoted by Qabalists - (partly) in support of the former, is "Eliezer" and the "318 servants of Abraham". However, KB definitely fails to offer any solid evidence that this phrase was inserted into Genesis at a much later date than the main body of Genesis. He quotes one eminent Qabalist who believes as much, however, he does not appear to have consulted with OT Biblical Scholars on this critical point. KB would have done well to get the opinions of some respected OT Scholars (eg: Nahum Sarna) on this most important point. All in all, I like the book, and would recommend it to readers. However, the excessive concentration on Greek writings and the neglect of Hebraic texts is not conducive to arriving at a truly convincing conclusion. Hence, as Weiser says, "some people may find the conclusions controversial".

Rating:
Summary: The definitive history of Qabalah
Review: Kieren Barry has done the entire religious world a great service with this volume. In it he presents in a very readable form the definitive history of Qabalah, with a particular emphasis on origins.

While religious readers may take offense at his secular scholarly approach and certain conclusions he reaches based on that approach, they should not use that as a reason to set the book aside. When those conclusions, derived from pre-conceived notions of what can and cannot be with regard to true divinity, are ignored, we have a masterfully told drama of the origin of man's attempt to understand God by means of scientific exploration.

The science in question is mathematics, and the results are predictable. God is created in man's image, and is discovered by man's knowledge, not be revelation. This is a fascinating story, and should not be overlooked, because it tells us more about ourselves than about God.

At the same time, the serious student of the Qabalistic mysteries should not overlook this book, whether for understanding of the number of the Beast of Revelation 13:17-18, or for his own interest. Barry has conclusively shown all of the key elements of the techniques, and their origins, beginning with the Egyptians, Pythagoras, and eventually to Plato and the Gnostics. The Jews are not ignored, but are shown to be latecomers, with the first real activity in the 13th century AD.

Definitely a work not to be ignored.

Rating:
Summary: The infusion of gematria into Kabbalah
Review: This book looks at the historical roots of gematria in the world of Kabbalah. This book does a nice job of retracing the steps from Pythangoras to modern day interpretations of the Torah. The books purpose is not to discount the entire branch of study known as Kabbalah nor even the use of gematria for some interpretations but reduce the possibility of this systems origination in the Hebrew world. Torah, especially the Oral branch allows the introduction of new knowledge and the infusion of gematria is certainly evidence of this. The book is written is very understandable terms and flows well making this an easy and enjoyable read. The student of religion will most certainly enjoy this book.

Rating:
Summary: The infusion of gematria into Kabbalah
Review: This book looks at the historical roots of gematria in the world of Kabbalah. This book does a nice job of retracing the steps from Pythangoras to modern day interpretations of the Torah. The books purpose is not to discount the entire branch of study known as Kabbalah nor even the use of gematria for some interpretations but reduce the possibility of this systems origination in the Hebrew world. Torah, especially the Oral branch allows the introduction of new knowledge and the infusion of gematria is certainly evidence of this. The book is written is very understandable terms and flows well making this an easy and enjoyable read. The student of religion will most certainly enjoy this book.

Rating:
Summary: Great study!
Review: Yes, I will agree with almost all the reviewers, this is a great book to read, and a great way to understand a good deal of arithmos knowledge. I will have to disagree with the reader pointing that the author doesn't state written Hebrew evidence. Are there any at the time of Greek Pythagoras or even Plato, concerning this knowledge? Anything written in Hebrew I mean. That's the question! The common knowledge is that the Qabalah is the body of Egyptian mysteries transferred to priests and students of the mysteries (many of them being either Greek or Hebrew). The study of Pythagoras and Plato alone would astonish the Qabalh student (I suggest it!). So, it is neither Hebrew knowledge nor Greek. It's universal knowledge, transferred through the Egyptians to any adept!
let's not go far from the evident of 'common sources'. The names of "Hebrew" qabalistic literature are 60% Greek. Even the Hexatefxon the reader mentions is a greek word meaning 'six volumes'!!! And we all know what Gematria means, don't we? Or maybe tetragrammaton (that's an interesting one, since it applies to the name of the 'Hebrew' god)...'Four lettered being/word' it means! And this greek word thing proves the known. The Hebrews and the Greeks have lived together (not in the best of terms, true! Hanuka proves it!), and Hebrew scholars would talk and even write in Greek at the time. Just like it happened with the so called Roman-Byzantine empire, that turned to be a Greek speaking/writing/creating empire! I don't understand why that's such a bad thing to admit! The Greeks admit that they use Turkish words in the everyday vocabulary nowdays... Doesn't make them less Greek or anything.
All this attitude is racistic and only leads to further hatred and misunderstanding. So, if you're looking for part of the truth then...read this book, it's worth your time, your money, your studies... And then study Pythagoras and Plato... You'll even clear any confusions you many have from your original Qabalah studies! And of course don't give up on your Qabalah studies!