Bible Codes 2000

• Platform: IBM PC Compatible
• Release Date: 2000
• Genre: Home
• Style: Reference
• Similar Games: Bible Quiz (IBM PC Compatible), The Jerusalem Dictionary (IBM PC Compatible)

Game Description

Bible Codes 2000 is designed to analyze the Old Testament for hidden information by typing in a Key Code which designates the hidden word or phrase being researched. The program searches for the phrase using a mathematical formula based on the Equidistant Skip Interval (ESI) that works on the principle that each letter in the word or code entered is separated by an equal number of letters in the text. For example, the series of letters "h u t h e h g u l r u t l f n r o" contains the word "hello" at an ESI of three (every fourth letter after "h" spells "hello").

The software contains several databases to help determine searchable code selections. The Dictionary database focuses on the Hebrew equivalents of English words, the Lexicon database contains people, places, and significant events ranging from biblical times to recent history and the Concordance lists every word in the Old Testament, how many times it appears and its locations.

People or place names not in the dictionary or lexicon can be added using transliteration sounds from English to Hebrew and then stored in My Dictionary, which comes stocked with common words, names, and phrases. Search every name in the Old Testament with the Biblical Names Database or use the First Names Database, which includes names not in the Old Testament but which may appear when searching for codes.

The Date Converter and Years Database is used to search for specific dates or years by changing the year from the Gregorian Calendar to the Hebrew Calendar. Numbers can also be converted. After searching for ESIs, the codes are displayed in a 2D-matrix format and marked by different colors and shapes. The code word is written in Hebrew with the English translation also available.

Additional codes occasionally appear after a successful search for a specific key code and can be analyzed by using a statistical formula. The formula helps determine whether the key code or additional codes were found by chance or whether they're significant. The program provides a tutorial to help with the basics of code searching.

Roots & Influences

Decoding the Bible using the theory of Equidistant Letter Sequences began in earnest with the use of the computer in 1994, when three Israeli mathematicians broke the key by researching the Book of Genesis using the "equidistant skip interval" methodology. Professor Elyahu Rips from the Hebrew University, Doron Witztum and Yoav Rosenberg printed their successful theory and results in the journal Statistical Science.

The theory that historic facts (past, present and future) are embedded in the Hebrew Scriptures is an ancient tradition that says God dictated the Torah (the first five books of The Old Testament, also known as the Pentateuch), to Moses, letter by letter. Computronic Corporation, an Israel based company, has also published The Jerusalem Dictionary, also known as Super Milon 2000.

Review: Overall

Bible Codes 2000 is a number crunching program, not a divination tool. If you plan to discover spellbinding prophecies at a moment's whim, the game will be a disappointment. You need to select personal key codes and additional codes for testing, a process that involves a lot of trial and error, with results often punctuated by failure. The process become easier and more interesting after achieving your first success and, if you're willing to put in the time and are patient, the program can be quite rewarding.

Any program of this nature will have translation difficulties but, in this case, the program does a fair job of overcoming them. However, Bible Codes 2000 has its share of significant quirks. For example, the dictionary database is fairly easy to use but selecting a word can be confusing. Let's say you're searching for the key code "beloved" and you want to use the dictionary to find the Hebrew translation. There are no fewer than four different entries, all with subtle nuances that the dictionary does not translate. Only if you were familiar with the Hebrew language would you be able to match the word to the specific definition you had in mind. There's simply no way to select one definition with the exact meaning you're seeking.

While searching for specific text or words, you can select from all the books in the Old Testament, also known as the Tanach in the Judaic tradition. However, this freedom is problematic and adds to the labor of searching since it's difficult to decide how to limit a search. Searching the entire database can take 5-10 minutes to complete, depending on the number of codes you enter.

Even when a key code is entered with confidence, there is no guarantee it will be found in the text, although the problem occurs most frequently when searching for Additional Codes in proximity to a key code. The transliteration feature is also difficult to work with as the Transliteration Keyboard gives only the most basic sound translations for Hebrew characters, making it difficult to accurately render the sound of a word.

The program works best if you refrain from creating your own words and use the provided lexicon and databases instead. Having a solid idea of what codes you want to search is also helpful. The lexicon and dictionary both provide a variety of people, places, concepts and verbs to assist in code searching.

If you need help with the program, E-mailing or faxing customer support questions to Computronic is recommended since the telephone support number is in Israel.

Review: Enjoyment

Those who have a basic knowledge of linguistics and enjoy research will enjoy the program. There's a steep learning curve, so patience is required to reap any rewards.

Review: Graphics

Text based.

Review: Sound

None in the program.

Review: Replay Value

An infinite number of codes can be searched within the {-Old Testament} text, although the hit-or-miss results dampen the desire for replay.

Review: Documentation

The manual is extensive but necessary while learning the process of code searching.