The Ancient Hebrew Lexicon of the BibleYAD...........................................................................................................................
The Early Semitic pictograph of this letter is M, an arm and hand. The meaning of this
letter is work, make and throw, the functions of the hand. The Modern Hebrew name
“yud” is a derivative of the two letter word “yad” meaning "hand", the original name
for the letter.
The ancient and modern pronunciation of this letter is a "y". In Ancient Hebrew this
letter also doubled as a vowel with an “i” sound. The Greek language adopted this letter
as the “iota”, carrying over the “i” sound.
The ancient pictograph M, was turned 90 degrees to become the M in the Middle
Semitic script. The letter continued to evolve into the simpler form M in the Late
Semitic script. The Middle Semitic form became the Greek and Roman Ι. The Late
Semitic form became the Modern Hebrew M.
KAPH.........................................................................................................................
The Ancient form of this letter is O the open palm of a hand. The meanings of this
letter are bend and curve from the shape of the palm as well as to tame or subdue as one
who has been bent to another’s will.
The Modern Hebrew name for this letter is kaph, a Hebrew word meaning “palm” and
is the original name for the letter. This letter is pronounced as a “k”, as in the word
“kaph”, when used as a stop or as a “kh” (pronounced hard like the German name
Bach), as in the word “yalakh” (to walk) when used as a spirant.
The Early Semitic O evolved into O in the Middle Semitic script. This letter continued
to evolve into O in the Late Semitic script and becoming the Modern Hebrew O and the
/ (final kaph). The Middle Semitic O became the Greek and Roman K (written in
reverse direction).