During the Second Temple period, between the 6th and 2nd century BCE, Jews gradually replaced Paleo-Hebrew script with a 'square' form of the Aramaic alphabet. This square variant developed into the Hebrew alphabet proper, with the process completing around the 1st century CE. The letter samekh developed its closed circular form around 100 BCE during the Hasmonean period, becoming standard in early Herodian hands in the 1st century CE. This script transition reflected Jewish cultural adaptation following Babylonian exile while maintaining distinct Hebrew identity.

The square Hebrew script became the standard for writing biblical texts, including the Hebrew Bible Torah scrolls, and all subsequent Jewish religious literature. This script enabled preservation of Hebrew poetry including biblical psulteries, prophetic writings, and later Jewish poetic traditions. The script's stability across centuries facilitated continuous Hebrew literary production from biblical times through medieval religious poetry to modern Hebrew literature.