- - , ANE: DISCUSSION LIST FOR THE STUDY OF THE ANCIENT NEAR EAST, Journal, [0], 26 Feb 2005, Ian Hutchesson: Does anyone know when the Jewish system of using letters for numbers can
first definitely be seen in literature?
Thomas L. Thompson: To be first in literature is particularly difficult when we find it so difficult to date the literature. However, "first" in Genesis is Gen 14, 14's 318 servants born into Abraham's house, flirting with Gen 15,2's Eliezer (=318).