the Week of Proper 28 / Ordinary 33
free while helping to build churches and support pastors in Uganda.
Click here to learn more!
Bible Lexicons
Old Testament Hebrew Lexical Dictionary Hebrew Lexicon
Strong's #3789 - כָּתַב
- Brown-Driver-Briggs
- Strong
- to write, record, enrol
- (Qal)
- to write, inscribe, engrave, write in, write on
- to write down, describe in writing
- to register, enrol, record
- to decree
- (Niphal)
- to be written
- to be written down, be recorded, be enrolled
- (Piel) to continue writing
- (Qal)
- Book
- Word
did not use
this Strong's Number
2295) btk (כתב KTB) AC: Write CO: Writing AB: ?
V) btk (כתב KTB) - Write: [Hebrew and Aramaic] KJV (231): (vf: Paal, Niphal, Piel) write, describe, subscribe, record - Strongs: H3789 (כָּתַב), H3790 (כְּתַב)
Nm) btk (כתב KTB) - Writing: Something written as well as the act of writing. [Hebrew and Aramaic] KJV (29): writing, register, scripture, prescribing - Strongs: H3791 (כְּתָב), H3792 (כְּתָב)
cf2) tbftk (כתובת KTWBT) - Writing: KJV (1): any - Strongs: H3793 (כְּתֹבֶת)
hm) btkm (מכתב MKTB) - Writing: A written composition. KJV (9): writing - Strongs: H4385 (מִכְתָּב)
Jeff Benner, Ancient Hebrew Research Center Used by permission of the author.
Qal Perfect ׳כ Joshua 8:32 +, כָּתַבְתָּ Jeremiah 36:6 +, suffix וּכְתַבְתָּם consecutive Deuteronomy 6:9; Deuteronomy 11:20, etc. (Perfect 27t.); Imperfect יִכְתֹּב Isaiah 44:5, וַיִּכְתֹּב Exodus 24:4 +, etc. (Imperfect 39t.); Imperative כְּתֹב Isaiah 8:1 5t., כְּתָבֿ Exodus 34:27 2t.; suffix כָּתְבָהּ Isaiah 30:8, כָּתְבֵם Proverbs 3:3; Proverbs 7:3; plural כִּתְבוּ Deuteronomy 31:9 3 t .; Infinitive absolute כָּתוֺכ Jeremiah 32:44; cstr כְּתוֺב Psalm 87:8, לִכְתֹּב Deuteronomy 31:24; Joshua 18:8; suffix כָּתְבוֺ Jeremiah 45:1; Participle active כֹּתֵב Jeremiah 36:18, plural כֹּתְבִים Jeremiah 32:12; Nehemiah 10:1; passive (113t.), כָּתוּב Joshua 1:8 +, feminine כְּתוּבָה 2 Samuel 1:18 +, plural כְּתוּבִים 1 Kings 15:7 +, כְּתֻבִים 1 Kings 11:41 +; feminine plural כְּתוּבוֺת 2 Chronicles 34:24; —
1 write:
a. with accusative, words Exodus 34:27, commandments Exodus 24:12, etc.; accusative of congnate meaning with verb מכתב Exodus 39:30, compare כַּמִּכְתָּב Deuteronomy 10:4; with כְּ, giving purport of writing, also Esther 8:8; but object also a book, סֵפֶר Exodus 32:32; Deuteronomy 24:1; מְגִלָּה Jeremiah 38:6, compare participle pass, וְהִיא כְּתוּבָה מָּנִים וְאָחוֺר Ezekiel 2:10 ( of מגלה; i.e. written on both sides); a letter, סֵפָר 2 Samuel 11:14; 2 Kings 10:1 4t., אִגֶּרֶת 2 Chronicles 30:1; a divorce-certificate סֵפֶר כְּרִיתֻת Deuteronomy 24:1, etc.; even לֻחֹת כְּתֻבִים tablets inscribed by the finger of God Exodus 31:18 compare Deuteronomy 9:10; מִשְּׁנֵי עֶבְרֵיהֶם׳כ ׳ל Exodus 32:15 tables inscribed on both sides (compare Ezekiel 2:10 above) Here belongs (probably) ׳וְזֶה יִכְתֹּב יָדוֺ לי Isaiah 44:5 and this one shall inscribe his hand, 'Yahweh's', so ᵐ5 Hi Kn Che Br Du Di, Ges Ew Deuteronomy , shall sign (with) his hand unto ׳י.
b. more often write something on, or in (עַלֿ85t., בְ44t., אֶלֿ 3t.) a tablet, roll, book, etc. (object various, as above): — (I) עַלֿ׳כ followed by סֵפֶר = book Deuteronomy 17:18 55t., especially in phrase ׳כתובים עלסֿפר דברי וגו 1 Kings 11:41 + often Kings Chronicles; עַלמְֿגִּלָּה׳כ Jeremiah 36:2; Jeremiah 36:28; Jeremiah 36:32; Jeremiah 38:29; עַללֿוּח(ותׅ׳כ Exodus 34:1 7t., עַלאֶֿבֶן Deuteronomy 27:3 2t., עַלגּֿלָּיוֺן Isaiah 8:1; עַלמְֿזֻזוֺת בַּיִת Deuteronomy 6:9; Deuteronomy 11:20; עַלמַֿטֶּה on a rod Numbers 17:17; Numbers 17:18; עַלעֵֿץ Ezekiel 37:16 (twice in verse), עַלצִֿיץ (high priest's plate) Exodus 39:30; even (only Chronicles) עַלֿ followed by name of book or its contents: — עַלדִּֿבְרֵי נָתָן׳כ 2 Chronicles 9:29; compare 2 Chronicles 33:19; ׳עַלמִֿדְרַשׁ וגו 2 Chronicles 24:27; עַלהַֿקִּינוֺת 2 Chronicles 35:25; figurative, עַללִֿבָּם׳כ Jeremiah 31:83 I will write them upon their heart; compare עַללֿוּחַ לִבֶּ֑ךָ׳כ Proverbs 3:3. (2) אֶלֿ׳כ appears for עַלֿ׳כ only Jeremiah 36:2 compare Ezekiel 2:10; Jeremiah 51:60. (3) בְּ׳כ followed by ספר = book Joshua 24:26 (E) + 35t.; = letter, bill, deed, 1 Kings 21:9 5t.; בִּמְגִלַּתסֵפֶר כָּתוּב עָלָ֑י Psalm 40:8 it is prescribed to me, על as 2 Kings 22:13 ( N.B.עלֿ ׳כ not used with סֵפֶר = letter, and בְּ׳כ not used with לוּחַ, אבן or עֵץ).
c. other uses of perp. with׳כ are: — בְּ instrumental, בְּחֶרֶט אֱנוֺשׁ׳כ Isaiah 8:1, בְּעֵט בַּרְזֶל׳כ Jeremiah 17:1; כְּתֻבִיםבְּאֶצְבַּע אֱלֹהִים Deuteronomy 9:10; Exodus 31:18; אֶלֿ׳כ unto, of person to whom letter, etc., is addressed 2 Samuel 11:14; 2 Kings 10:6; Esther 9:13; עַלֿ substantive for אֶלֿ (late) 2 Chronicles 30:1; Ezra 4:7; Esther 8:8; the fuller construction is ספר וישׁלח (אֶלֿׅ׳כ 2 Kings 10:1; Esther 8:10; Esther 9:20 +; אֶלֿ׳כ write down for the benefit or use of some one, Judges 8:14; לְ to or for, Deuteronomy 17:18; Deuteronomy 24:1 +; note especially אֶכְתָּו֯בלֿוֺ רֻבֵּו֯ תּוֺרָתִי Hosea 8:12, i.e. either, I write (keep writing) for them ever so many (We, רֹב, compare Ew and most רִבּוֺ(אׅ a myriad) of my directions, or 'Though I write,' 'Were I to write,' etc.; ׳כ followed by ל with infinitive of purpose 2 Chronicles 32:17; Esther 8:5; with מִן in phrase ׳מִמִּי פ׳כ write from the mouth of any one i.e. from dictation, Jeremiah 36:2,32; Jeremiah 38:6,17,27; Jeremiah 45:1.
2 = write down describe in writing, אֶתהָֿאָרֶץ׳כ Judges 18:4,6,8 (3t. in verse); Judges 18:9.
3 = register enroll Isaiah 10:19 (= record the number), 1 Chronicles 24:6; especially passive הַכְּתוּבִים Numbers 11:26 those enrolled compare Nehemiah 12:22; בְּשֵׁמוֺת׳הַכּ 1 Chronicles 4:41 those recorded by name; in prediction, אֶתהָֿאִישׁ׳כ הַזֶּה עֲרִירִי Jeremiah 22:30 register this man as childless; with eschatological reference, כָּלהַֿכָּתוּב לַחַיִּים Isaiah 4:3 all those enrolled (i.e. appointed) unto life; and, more explicitly, כָּלהַֿנִּמְצָא כָּתוּב בַּסֵּפֶר Daniel 12:1; יִסְמֹּר בִּכְתוֺבּ עַמִּים׳י Psalm 87:6 ׳י shall reckon, when he registers (note absence of suffix) the peoples, etc.
4 = decree, תִּכְתֹּב עָלַי מְרֹרוֺת Job 13:26 thou (׳י) decrest against me bitter things.
Niph`al (chiefly late, especially Esther), Imperfect יִכָּתֵב Esther 1:19 +, 3 feminine singular תִּכָּ֫תֶב זֹאת Psalm 102:19; 3 masculine plural יִכָּתֵ֑בוּ Jeremiah 17:13 3t., יִכָּֽתְבוּן Job 19:23; Participle נִכְתָּב Esther 3:12 2t.; —
1 be written, subject words Job 19:23, book Malachi 3:16; be written בְּסֵפֶר Esther 2:23; Esther 9:23, in, or among ב the laws Esther 1:19; once, with עַלֿ, עַלסִֿפְרְךָ כֻּלָּם יִכָּתֵ֑בוּ Psalm 139:16 in thy ׳י's book all of them (my members) are written, i.e. written down, recorded (see below); absolute כְּתָב אֲשֶׁר נִכְתָּבבְּשֵׁם הַמֶּלֶךְ Esther 8:8 a writing which is written in the king's name, compare (impersonal) Esther 3:12; impersonal also וַיִּכָּתֵב כְּכָלאֲֿשֶׁר צִוָּה Esther 3:12; Esther 8:9; ׳יִכָּ followed by לְ = for Psalm 102:19; followed by לְ + infinitive (really = a subject-cl., — the contents of the letter) Esther 3:9; Esther 8:5.
2 be written down, recorded, Ezra 8:34; enrolled, בִּכְתָבבית ישׂראל לֹא יִכָּתֵ֑בוּ Ezekiel 13:9 in the enrolement of the house of Israel they are not enrolled (eschatolog.); וְעִםצַֿדִּיקִים אַליִֿכָּתֵ֑בוּ Psalm 69:29 ("" חַיִּים יִמָּחוּ מִסֵּפֶר) — בָּאָרֶץ יִכָּתֵ֑בוּ Jeremiah 17:13 is difficult; Gie reads, plausibly, מֵאֶרֶץ יִכָּרֵ֑תוּ (compare Psalm 34:17; Psalm 101:8, etc.)
Pi`el frequently, Perfect and Participle, only כִּתֵּ֑בוּוּמְכַתְּבִים עָמָל Isaiah 10:1 and busy writers that make a business of writing oppression (i.e. register unjust sentences, compare Qal 4; "" הַחֹקֲקִים חִקֲקֵיאָֿוֶן).
כְּתַב verb write (see Biblical Hebrew); —
Pe`al Perfect 3 masculine singular ׳כ Daniel 6:26 ל person + oratio recta [direct speech], Daniel 7:1 accusative of thing; 3 masculine plural כְּתַ֫בוּ Ezra 4:8 accusative אִגְּרָה; 1 plural נִכְתּוּב Ezra 5:10, accusative of thing; Participle active absolute feminine singular כָּֽתְבָה Daniel 5:5, subject יְדָא, feminine plural כָּֽתְבָן Daniel 5:5, subject אֶצְבְּעָן.
Pe`il (W CG 224) Perfect 3 masculine singular כִּדְנָהכְּ תִּיב Ezra 5:7 thus (it) was written, so ׳כֵּן כ Ezra 6:2.
כָּתַב fut. יִכְתֹּב to write. (Arab., Syr., Ch. id. [“Eth. ክታብ፡ book, letter”].) Constr. followed by an acc. of that which is written, 2 Samuel 11:14; Deuteronomy 10:2, 31:24, but followed by עַל Deuteronomy 6:9, 11:20 אֶל Jeremiah 36:2; Ezra 2:10, and בְּ Nehemiah 7:5, 8:14 13:1, of the material written on, more rarely followed by an acc. Isaiah 44:5, יִכְתֹּב יָדוֹ לַיהֹוָה pr. “he fills his hand with letters (er befchreibt feine Hand) in honour of Jehovah;” compare Exodus 32:15; Ezra 2:10. כָּתַב סֵפֶר אֶל־פּ׳ to write a letter to any one, 2 Samuel 11:14 followed by עַל of pers. 2 Chronicles 30:1. But this last mentioned construction also denotes, to prescribe, to direct in writing, 2 Kings 22:13; Psalms 40:8 also followed by אֶל Esther 9:23, and לְ Proverbs 22:20; Hosea 8:12; Ezra 4:7, כָּתוּב אֲרָמִית “written in Aramean letters.” Specially it is
(a) to write down, to put in writing (auffchreiben), Numbers 33:2; Judges 8:14.
(b) to describe, Joshua 18:4, 6:8.
(c) to inscribe, to put down in a list, men, citizens, or soldiers, Psalms 87:6, יְהֹוָה יִסְפֹּר בִּכְתוֹב עַמִּים “Jehovah will count as he writes down the peoples;” Isaiah 4:3, כָּל־הַכָּתוּב לַחַיִּים “whosoever is written down for life;” compare Jeremiah 22:30; Psalms 69:29.
(d) to write a sentence, i.e. to decree, Isaiah 65:6; Job 13:26. (Arab. كتب followed by عاى to decree concerning any one; كتاب the sentence of a judge.)
Niphal, pass. to be written, written down, Esther 1:19, 2:23 Job 19:23; Jeremiah 17:13.
Piel i.q. Kal let. d, Isaiah 10:1.
Hence מִכְתָּב and the words immediately following.
כְּתָב m. (with kametz impure) i.q. Syr. ܟܬܳܒܳܐ Arab. كِتَابُ a word used in the later Hebrew for the more ancient סֵפֶר.
(1) something written, a writing, Esther 3:14, 8:8 2 Chronicles 2:10, וַיּאֹמֶר בִּכְתָב “and he said in writing,” i.e. by letters: used of the kind of writing, or of the form of letters, Ezra 4:7 of a transcript, Esther 4:8.
(2) a book, Daniel 10:21 specially a list, a register, Ezekiel 13:9; Ezra 2:62; Nehemiah 7:64.