Cabala is often specifically used to denote the Christian version of Jewish Kabbalah. It ws primarily developed by Giovanni Pico. The two systems are quite different. Though equally valid as paradigms.

Cab"a*la (?), n. [LL. See Cabal, n.]

1.

A kind of occult theosophy or traditional interpretation of the Scriptures among Jewish rabbis and certain mediaeval Christians, which treats of the nature of god and the mystery of human existence. It assumed that every letter, word, number, and accent of Scripture contains a hidden sense; and it teaches the methods of interpretation for ascertaining these occult meanings. The cabalists pretend even to foretell events by this means.

2.

Secret science in general; mystic art; mystery.

 

© Webster 1913.

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