What does cabala mean?
Cabala is an alternative English spelling of Kabbalah, the Jewish mystical tradition that seeks concealed meanings within the Torah and the structure of creation itself. Emerging in medieval Provence and Spain, this body of doctrine spread through Hebrew texts such as the Zohar and became a byword for hidden wisdom. In English, 'cabala' has long been used both for the specifically Jewish tradition and, by extension, for any secretive or esoteric system of knowledge. The word's history is intertwined with that of 'cabal', which refers to a small faction engaged in intrigue — both trace back to the Hebrew term meaning 'received tradition', reflecting how sacred transmitted knowledge could acquire an aura of mystery. Today 'cabala' appears mostly in historical, literary, and scholarly contexts, since contemporary writers favor the spelling 'Kabbalah'. Its enduring appeal lies in its suggestion of veiled truths accessible only to the initiated.
An esoteric mystical tradition, especially the Jewish Kabbalah, concerned with the hidden meanings of scripture and the secrets of creation.
"The medieval text drew heavily on the cabala to explain the divine names of God."
Variant spelling of Kabbalah; now largely historical.
Any secret or esoteric body of doctrine, tradition, or knowledge held by an initiated few.
"To outsiders, the society's rituals seemed like an impenetrable cabala."
A generalized, figurative sense of the first definition.
Rarely pluralized; the plural appears mainly when contrasting distinct traditions or systems.
"Medieval scholars compared the cabalas of different mystical schools."
The same Hebrew root that gave us 'cabala' also gave us 'cabal' — so the word for secret mystical knowledge and the word for a shadowy conspiracy are literally related.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of cabala
Cabala derives from Hebrew 'qabbālāh', meaning 'reception' or 'that which has been received', referring to an oral tradition of mystical teaching passed down through generations. The word entered European languages in the late Middle Ages through Latin and French adaptations as Jewish mystical texts circulated among Christian scholars during the Renaissance. English adopted several spellings, including cabala, cabbala, and kabala, all denoting the same tradition; the Hebrew-derived spelling Kabbalah later became standard. From the same source came 'cabal', originally a term for secret mystical learning before shifting to mean a small conspiratorial group.
Related word forms
How cabala is actually used
'Cabala' is a historical variant spelling, common in older English texts alongside forms like 'cabbala' and 'kabbala'; modern usage overwhelmingly prefers 'Kabbalah'. The word carries connotations of secrecy, mystery, and arcane learning.
Easily confused with cabala
A cabal is a small secret group plotting something, while cabala refers to an esoteric system of mystical knowledge; they share a Hebrew root but differ entirely in meaning.
Kabbalah is the standard modern spelling of the Jewish mystical tradition, whereas cabala is an older, less common English variant of the same word.