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כָּתָב

𐤊𐤕𐤁

kâthâb

H3791 noun

SILEX Entry

Root כתב to write, inscribe, record

Definition

A written document or inscription; an object or product of writing, encompassing records, documents, decrees, letters, or literary compositions. The term refers to physical writings as opposed to oral communication, ranging from brief inscriptions or notes to extended texts or scrolls.

Semantic Range

writing, document, inscription, official record, decree, register, letter, book, scriptural or literary text

Root / Etymology

From the root כָּתַב (katav), meaning 'to write.' כָּתָב (kâthâb) is the noun form signifying the product of writing, that which is written. The root indicates the action, while the noun denotes the result or artifact of that action.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In biblical usage, כָּתָב commonly designates written records, official documents, or literary works, including legal decrees (Ezra 6:2), inscriptions (Ezekiel 2:10), and registries. In the monarchic and post-exilic eras, the cultural practice of record keeping increased, leading to more frequent references to כָּתָב as writing became central to governance and the preservation of laws and lineage. Although some English translations render it 'book' or 'scripture,' the term more broadly denotes any form of writing, not exclusively sacred literature. כָּתָב is less common than related terms such as סֵפֶר (sefer, generally 'book' or formal document), but carries emphasis on the act or fact of having something set down in writing. Unlike סֵפֶר which may refer to a finished literary work, כָּתָב highlights physicality and the act of documentation, often official or legal in character. In some later contexts, it underlies the sense of an authoritative record, but without the later religious connotations of 'scripture.' The use of this noun reflects broader trends in the shift from oral to written culture in Israelite society.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from כָּתַב; something written, i.e. a writing, record or book; register, scripture, writing.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

כתב (k-t-v) — write, inscribe, record

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H3789 כָּתַב in the written ones
H3790 כְּתַב Write!
H3792 כְּתָב the written record
H3793 כְּתֹבֶת and inscribed-mark of
H4385 מִכְתָּב in a written document

Word Forms

9 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H3791-01 בִּ/כְתָ֖ב bikhetav HR/Ncmsc in writing in a written document 4
H3791-06 כִּ/כְתָבָ֔/הּ kikhetavah HR/Ncmsc/Sp3fs according to its script her written document 3
H3791-05 כְתָבָ֛/ם khetavam HNcmsc/Sp3mp their register their written document 2
H3791-02 הַ/כְּתָ֗ב haketav HTd/Ncmsa of-the-writing the written record 2
H3791-03 כְּתָֽב ketav HNcmsc of the document Write! 1
H3791-09 וּ/בִ/כְתָ֤ב uvikhetav HC/R/Ncmsc and-in-writing and in written record of 1
H3791-07 כִּ/כְתָבָ֖/ם kikhetavam HR/Ncmsc/Sp3mp according to their writing their written document 1
H3791-08 וּ/כְתָב֙ ukhetav HC/Ncmsc and the writing of and written-document of 1
H3791-04 כְתָ֞ב khetav HNcmsa writing written document 1

Occurrences in Scripture

16 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H3791-09 Ezekiel 13:9 וּ/בִ/כְתָ֤ב uvikhetav HC/R/Ncmsc and-in-writing and in written record of
H3791-06 Esther 1:22 כִּ/כְתָבָ֔/הּ kikhetavah HR/Ncmsc/Sp3fs according to its writing her written document
H3791-06 Esther 3:12 כִּ/כְתָבָ֔/הּ kikhetavah HR/Ncmsc/Sp3fs according to its script her written document
H3791-02 Esther 3:14 הַ/כְּתָ֗ב haketav HTd/Ncmsa of-the-writing the written record
H3791-03 Esther 4:8 כְּתָֽב ketav HNcmsc of the document Write!
H3791-04 Esther 8:8 כְתָ֞ב khetav HNcmsa writing written document
H3791-06 Esther 8:9 כִּ/כְתָבָ֔/הּ kikhetavah HR/Ncmsc/Sp3fs according to its script her written document
H3791-02 Esther 8:13 הַ/כְּתָ֗ב haketav HTd/Ncmsa of the writing the written record
H3791-07 Esther 9:27 כִּ/כְתָבָ֖/ם kikhetavam HR/Ncmsc/Sp3mp according to their writing their written document
H3791-01 Daniel 10:21 בִּ/כְתָ֖ב bikhetav HR/Ncmsc in the writing in a written document
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