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כָּתַב

𐤊𐤕𐤁

kâthab

H3789 verb

SILEX Entry

Root כתב to engrave, to write, to record

Definition

To write, inscribe, or engrave symbols, letters, or words, whether on stone, metal, parchment, or other materials. Refers primarily to the act of setting information down for the purpose of communication, recording, legal formalization, or instruction. In extended senses, includes describing, making a written record, or prescribing a rule or decree.

Semantic Range

to write (letters, words, documents); to inscribe (on stone, monuments); to record (in official documents, annals); to prescribe (set down a law or rule in writing); to describe (put information in written form); to subscribe (sign or endorse in writing)

Root / Etymology

Root: כתב (k-t-b). This root fundamentally denotes the act of engraving or marking with symbols, extended to writing with ink or stylus. The verb itself is a primary root in Northwest Semitic languages, including Ugaritic and Aramaic.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In early periods (patriarchal and early monarchy), כָּתַב primarily denoted physical cutting or carving of symbols in hard materials (stone, metal). By the monarchic period, it was commonly used for writing on papyrus, leather, and parchment with ink. The verb is used for writing legal documents (contracts, decrees, laws), letters, genealogical records, historical chronicles, as well as inscriptions on monuments. The transition from 'engrave' to the broader 'write' reflects the spread of alphabetic writing technologies and increasing administrative and literary functions in Israelite society. In post-exilic and later periods, כָּתַב becomes the regular verb for writing in all media. The English 'engrave' reflects its earliest sense, but 'write' better represents the majority of biblical usage. Contrast with חָרַט (to carve, especially images or idols), which remains more closely tied to physical sculpture. In biblical Hebrew, כָּתַב never carries the sense of 'compose poetry' or 'create literature' per se, but always focuses on the physical act of writing or recording information.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a primitive root; to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe); describe, record, prescribe, subscribe, write(-ing, -ten).

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

כתב (k-t-b) — to engrave, to write, to record

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H3790 כְּתַב Write!
H3791 כָּתָב in a written document
H3792 כְּתָב the written record
H3793 כְּתֹבֶת and inscribed-mark of
H4385 מִכְתָּב in a written document

Word Forms

64 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H3789-21 כְּתֻבִ֖ים ketuvim HVqsmpa written written ones 54
H3789-48 וַ/יִּכְתֹּ֣ב vayikhetov HC/Vqw3ms and he wrote and he wrote 18
H3789-11 כַּ/כָּתוּב֙ kakatuv HRd/Vqsmsa as it is written as written 14
H3789-12 כָּתַ֔ב katav HVqp3ms he wrote he wrote 10
H3789-17 כָּתוּב֙ katuv HVqsmsa written written 10
H3789-06 הַ/כָּת֖וּב hakatuv HTd/Vqsmsa that is written the written one 8
H3789-08 הַ/כְּתוּבִ֖ים haketuvim HTd/Vqsmpa that were written the written ones 6
H3789-43 וַ֠/יִּכָּתֵב vayikatev HC/VNw3ms and was written and was inscribed 5
H3789-39 וּ/כְתֹ֤ב ukhetov HC/Vqv2ms and write and write 5
H3789-50 וְ֠/כָתַב vekhatav HC/Vqq3ms and he writes and he wrote 4

Occurrences in Scripture

227 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H3789-19 Exodus 17:14 כְּתֹ֨ב ketov HVqv2ms Write Write!
H3789-48 Exodus 24:4 וַ/יִּכְתֹּ֣ב vayikhetov HC/Vqw3ms and wrote and he wrote
H3789-14 Exodus 24:12 כָּתַ֖בְתִּי kataveti HVqp1cs I have written I wrote
H3789-21 Exodus 31:18 כְּתֻבִ֖ים ketuvim HVqsmpa written written ones
H3789-21 Exodus 32:15 כְּתֻבִים֙ ketuvim HVqsmpa written written ones
H3789-21 Exodus 32:15 כְּתֻבִֽים ketuvim-2 HVqsmpa written written ones
H3789-13 Exodus 32:32 כָּתָֽבְתָּ kataveta HVqp2ms You have written you wrote
H3789-52 Exodus 34:1 וְ/כָתַבְתִּי֙ vekhataveti HC/Vqq1cs and I will write and I wrote
H3789-18 Exodus 34:27 כְּתָב ketav HVqv2ms Write Write!
H3789-48 Exodus 34:28 וַ/יִּכְתֹּ֣ב vayikhetov HC/Vqw3ms And he wrote and he wrote
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