קָטַר
𐤒𐤈𐤓
qâṭar
H6999 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To make smoke, particularly by burning incense or offerings, often in a ritual or cultic context; more broadly, to produce smoke or odor from burning. In the Hebrew Bible, קָטַר most commonly refers to the act of burning incense or sacrifices on an altar as part of prescribed ritual, typically as an act of worship, thanksgiving, or atonement. The term may denote either the action itself (to make something go up in smoke) or the experienced result (aromatic smoke). In some contexts, it can be used more generally to refer to burning, but always with an emphasis on the production of smoke, especially aromatic smoke.
Semantic Range
to burn incense, to make smoke (as an act of worship), to offer by burning (incense or sacrifice), to produce aromatic smoke, to burn ritual offerings; make smoke ascend
Root / Etymology
קָטַר derives from the root ק־ט־ר, which fundamentally means 'to make smoke' or 'to produce aroma by burning.' The word probably relates to the sensory result of burning sacrifices or incense—namely the rising smoke—rather than to mere combustion. No clear cognates are found in other Semitic languages, though Ethiopic has a possibly related form denoting burning incense. The root meaning is 'to smoke, make fumes,' from which the verb develops its specialized ritual meaning.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the Hebrew Bible, קָטַר is largely confined to ritual contexts, referring to the act of burning incense or sacrifices at sanctuaries. This usage is prevalent in priestly and Deuteronomistic texts. The term contrasts with other Hebrew verbs meaning 'to burn' (e.g., שָׂרַף saraf, which refers to burning in general or destructive burning) in that קָטַר stresses the intended production of fragrant or ritual smoke as opposed to mere incineration. In earlier Israelite practice, burning incense or meat offerings (מִנְחָה minḥah) was a central element at the sanctuary; later, prophetic literature often critiques improper or unauthorized use of קָטַר, especially outside the central sanctuary or in connection with foreign worship. English translations such as 'burn (incense),' 'offer up (sacrifice),' or 'kindle' capture only part of the word's meaning: the focus on the transformation of the offering into smoke—a key aspect of the ritual—is often underrepresented. In later periods, the act of קָטַר was increasingly restricted to the Jerusalem Temple and became emblematic of proper or improper worship practices.
Translation Consistency
The primary sense is producing smoke by fire—especially burning incense or offerings—so the natural, consistent English verb is “burn.” It fits ritual contexts (“burn incense,” “burn offering”), covers action and result (burning, burned, burning up), and is the most straightforward, idiomatic choice for all forms of קָטַר.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root (identical with through the idea of fumigation in a close place and perhaps thus driving out the occupants); to smoke, i.e. turn into fragrance by fire (especially as an act of worship); burn (incense, sacrifice) (upon), (altar for) incense, kindle, offer (incense, a sacrifice).
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
קטר (q-ṭ-r) — to smoke, to make smoke, to give off aroma
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H4729 | מִקְטָר | incense-hearth of |
| H4730 | מִקְטֶרֶת | his incense-burning vessel |
| H6988 | קְטוֹרָה | smoke-offering incense |
| H6989 | קְטוּרָה | Keturah |
| H7000 | קָטַר | incense-burnings |
Word Forms
41 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6999-29 |
וְ/הִקְטִ֥יר | vehiqetir | HC/Vhq3ms |
and he shall burn | and he made smoke ascend | and he caused to burn | 18 |
H6999-07 |
לְ/הַקְטִ֥יר | lehaqetir | HR/Vhc |
to burn incense | to make smoke ascend | to burn incense | 12 |
H6999-24 |
וַ/יַּקְטֵ֥ר | vayaqeter | HC/Vhw3ms |
and burned | and he made smoke ascend | and he made smoke ascend | 10 |
H6999-08 |
לְ/קַטֵּ֥ר | leqater | HR/Vpc |
to burn incense | to send up aromatic smoke | to burn incense | 8 |
H6999-23 |
וּֽ/מְקַטְּרִ֖ים | umeqaterim | HC/Vprmpa |
and burning incense | and the smoke-makers | and those burning | 6 |
H6999-26 |
וַ/יְקַטְּרוּ | vayeqateru | HC/Vpw3mp |
and have burned incense | they made aromatic smoke | and they burned aromatic smoke | 5 |
H6999-17 |
קִטְּרוּ | qiteru | HVpp3cp |
burned incense | they made smoke ascend | they burned incense | 4 |
H6999-21 |
וּ/מַקְטִֽיר | umaqetir | HC/Vhrmsa |
and-burning | and the smoke-maker | and the burner | 3 |
H6999-11 |
מְקַטְּרִ֣ים | meqaterim | HVprmpa |
are burning incense | smoke-making ones | burning incense | 3 |
H6999-25 |
וַ/יְקַטֵּ֛ר | vayeqater | HC/Vpw3ms |
and burned incense | and he made smoke ascend | and he burned incense | 3 |
Occurrences in Scripture
117 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6999-28 |
Exodus 29:13 | וְ/הִקְטַרְתָּ֖ | vehiqetareta | HC/Vhq2ms |
and burn | and you shall cause to go up in smoke | and you shall cause to go up in smoke |
H6999-28 |
Exodus 29:18 | וְ/הִקְטַרְתָּ֤ | vehiqetareta | HC/Vhq2ms |
and you shall burn | and you shall cause to go up in smoke | and you shall cause to go up in smoke |
H6999-28 |
Exodus 29:25 | וְ/הִקְטַרְתָּ֥ | vehiqetareta | HC/Vhq2ms |
and burn | and you shall cause to go up in smoke | and you shall cause to go up in smoke |
H6999-29 |
Exodus 30:7 | וְ/הִקְטִ֥יר | vehiqetir | HC/Vhq3ms |
and shall burn | and he made smoke ascend | and he caused to burn |
H6999-37 |
Exodus 30:7 | יַקְטִירֶֽ/נָּה | yaqetirenah | HVhi3ms/Sp3fs |
he shall burn it | he will make-her smoke | he will make it smoke |
H6999-37 |
Exodus 30:8 | יַקְטִירֶ֑/נָּה | yaqetirenah | HVhi3ms/Sp3fs |
he shall burn it | he will make-her smoke | he will make it smoke |
H6999-07 |
Exodus 30:20 | לְ/הַקְטִ֥יר | lehaqetir | HR/Vhc |
to burn | to make smoke ascend | to burn incense |
H6999-24 |
Exodus 40:27 | וַ/יַּקְטֵ֥ר | vayaqeter | HC/Vhw3ms |
and he burned | and he made smoke ascend | and he made smoke ascend |
H6999-29 |
Leviticus 1:9 | וְ/הִקְטִ֨יר | vehiqetir | HC/Vhq3ms |
and the priest shall offer up in smoke | and he made smoke ascend | and he caused to burn |
H6999-29 |
Leviticus 1:13 | וְ/הִקְטִ֣יר | vehiqetir | HC/Vhq3ms |
and-he-shall-turn-into-smoke | and he made smoke ascend | and he caused to burn |