Jots and Tittle: What Are They?

Jots and Tittles - What Are They?

Jots and tittles are small elements of written text.

The Phrase Finder says that:

A jot is the name of the least letter of an alphabet or the smallest part of a piece of writing. It is the Anglicized version of the Greek iota - the smallest letter of the Greek alphabet, which corresponds to the Roman 'i'. This, in turn, was derived from the Hebrew word jod, or yodr, which is the the smallest letter of the square Hebrew alphabet.

In the Wikipedia article "Tittle" it explains:

"....in the Gospel of Matthew 5:18:

"For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled" (NKJV).

...the quotation uses them as an example of extremely minor details. The phrase "jot and tittle" indicates that every small detail has received attention. The word tittle in this far older text refers, however, to the Hebrew sign, the tagin".

Wikipedia explains that a tagin (or tittle) is:

A tag (Hebrew: תג‎, plural tagin, תגין) is a decoration drawn over the letters Gimel, Zayin, Tet, Nun, Ayin, Tzadi and Shin in Jewish scrolls.

In fact a tagin looks a little like a small three pronged crown.

Go back to the start of Judianity - A "Third Way" Between Judaism or Christianity?

A predictable change to the law to circumcise gentile proselytes for Passover, caused turmoil for the church in Acts. Why isn't a similar level of fuss recorded if the rest of the law was "done away"? Does Galatians really mean the Torah law is " done away" if Paul kept Nazirite vows & offered sacrifices at the temple, after the crucifixion as many christian theologians believe ?