Lexical Summary
kathab: To write, record, inscribe
Original Word:כָּתַב
Part of Speech:Verb
Transliteration:kathab
Pronunciation:kah-THAV
Phonetic Spelling:(kaw-thab')
KJV: describe, record, prescribe, subscribe, write(-ing, -ten)
NASB:written, write, wrote, recorded, written down, describe, record
Word Origin:[a primitive root]
1. to engrave, carve
2. (by implication) to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe)
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
describe, record, prescribe, subscribe, writing,
A primitive root; to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe) -- describe, record, prescribe, subscribe, write(-ing, -ten).
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origina prim. root
Definitionto write
NASB Translationdecreed (1), describe (3), described (1), inscribed (1), prescribed (2), record (3), recorded (7), registered (3), registers (1), sign (1), signed (2), write (31), write them down (1), write down (1), write...down (1), writes (2), writing (1), written (126), written down (4), wrote (27), wrote down (2).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
223 (Late Hebrew
id.; Phoenician ; Aramaic ,
Nabataean , see especially Nö in Eut
Nab. p. 43; thence Arabic
Ethiopic
book, Di
Lex. 852 (as loan-words, Frä
249 DHM
VOJ i (1887), 29); MV Buhl compare Arabic
draw or sew together, conjoin (letters), etc., compare Fl
ZMG 1873, 427) —
PerfectJoshua 8:32 +,Jeremiah 36:6 +, suffix consecutiveDeuteronomy 6:9;Deuteronomy 11:20, etc. (Perfect 27 t.);ImperfectIsaiah 44:5,Exodus 24:4 +, etc. (Imperfect 39 t.);ImperativeIsaiah 8:1 5t.,Exodus 34:27 2t.; suffixIsaiah 30:8,Proverbs 3:3;Proverbs 7:3; pluralDeuteronomy 31:9 3t .;Infinitive absoluteJeremiah 32:44;cstrPsalm 87:8,Deuteronomy 31:24;Joshua 18:8; suffixJeremiah 45:1;Participle activeJeremiah 36:18, pluralJeremiah 32:12;Nehemiah 10:1;passive (113 t.),Joshua 1:8 +, feminine2 Samuel 1:18 +, plural1 Kings 15:7 +,1 Kings 11:41 +; feminine plural 2Chronicles 34:24; —
write:
with accusative, wordsExodus 34:27, commandmentsExodus 24:12, etc.; accusative of congnate meaning with verbExodus 39:30, compareDeuteronomy 10:4; with , giving purport of writing, alsoEsther 8:8; but object also a book,Exodus 32:32;Deuteronomy 24:1;Jeremiah 38:6, compare participle pass,Ezekiel 2:10 ( of ; i.e. written on both sides); a letter,2 Samuel 11:14;2 Kings 10:1 4t., 2Chronicles 30:1; a divorce-certificateDeuteronomy 24:1, etc.; eventablets inscribed by the finger of GodExodus 31:18 compareDeuteronomy 9:10;Exodus 32:15tables inscribed on both sides (compareEzekiel 2:10 above) Here belongs (probably)Isaiah 44:5and this one shallinscribe his hand, 'Yahweh's', so Hi Kn Che Br Du Di, Ges Ew De,shall sign (with)his hand unto .
write somethingon, orin (85t., 44t., 3t.) a tablet, roll, book, etc. (object various, as above): — (I) followed by =bookDeuteronomy 17:18 55t., especially in phrase1 Kings 11:41 + often Kings Chronicles;Jeremiah 36:2;Jeremiah 36:28;Jeremiah 36:32;Jeremiah 38:29;Exodus 34:1 7t.,Deuteronomy 27:3 2t.,Isaiah 8:1;Deuteronomy 6:9;Deuteronomy 11:20;on a rodNumbers 17:17;Numbers 17:18;Ezekiel 37:16 (twice in verse), (high priest's plate)Exodus 39:30; even (only Chronicles) followed by name of book or its contents: — 2Chronicles 9:29; compare 2 Chronicles 33:19; 2Chronicles 24:27; 2Chronicles 35:25; figurative,Jeremiah 31:83I will write them upon their heart; compareProverbs 3:3. (2) appears for onlyJeremiah 36:2 compareEzekiel 2:10;Jeremiah 51:60. (3) followed by =bookJoshua 24:26 (E) + 35 t.; =letter, bill, deed,1 Kings 21:9 5t.;Psalm 40:8it is prescribed to me, as2 Kings 22:13 ( not used with =letter, and not used with , or ).
are: — instrumental,Isaiah 8:1,Jeremiah 17:1;Deuteronomy 9:10;Exodus 31:18;unto, of person to whom letter, etc., is addressed2 Samuel 11:14;2 Kings 10:6;Esther 9:13; substantive for (late) 2 Chronicles 30:1;Ezra 4:7;Esther 8:8; the fuller construction is2 Kings 10:1;Esther 8:10;Esther 9:20 +;write down for the benefit or use of some one,Judges 8:14;to or for,Deuteronomy 17:18;Deuteronomy 24:1 +; note especiallyHosea 8:12, i.e. either,I write (keep writing) for them ever so many (We, , compare
Ew and most a myriad)of my directions, or'Though I write,' 'Were I to write,' etc.; followed by with infinitive of purpose 2 Chronicles 32:17;Esther 8:5; with in phrasewrite from the mouth of any one i.e. from dictation,Jeremiah 36:2,32;Jeremiah 38:6,17,27;Jeremiah 45:1.
=write down describe in writing,Judges 18:4,6,8 (3 t. in verse);Judges 18:9.
=register enrollIsaiah 10:19 (= record the number),1 Chronicles 24:6; especially passiveNumbers 11:26those enrolled compareNehemiah 12:22;1 Chronicles 4:41those recorded by name; in prediction,Jeremiah 22:30register this man as childless; with eschatological reference,Isaiah 4:3all those enrolled (i.e. appointed)unto life; and, more explicitly,Daniel 12:1;Psalm 87:6shall reckon, when he registers (note absence of suffix)thepeoples, etc.
=decree,Job 13:26thou ()decrest against me bitter things.
(chiefly late, especially Esther),ImperfectEsther 1:19 +, 3 feminine singularPsalm 102:19; 3masculine pluralJeremiah 17:13 3t.,Job 19:23;ParticipleEsther 3:12 2t.; —
be written, subject wordsJob 19:23, bookMalachi 3:16;be writtenEsther 2:23;Esther 9:23,in, or among the lawsEsther 1:19; once, with ,Psalm 139:16in thy 'sbook all of them (my members)are written, i.e.written down, recorded (see below); absoluteEsther 8:8a writing which is written in the king's name, compare (impersonal)Esther 3:12; impersonal alsoEsther 3:12;Esther 8:9; followed by =forPsalm 102:19; followed by + infinitive (really = a subject-cl., — the contents of the letter)Esther 3:9;Esther 8:5.
be written down, recorded,Ezra 8:34;enrolled,Ezekiel 13:9in the enrolement of the house of Israel they are not enrolled (eschatolog.);Psalm 69:29 ("" ) —Jeremiah 17:13 is difficult; Gie reads, plausibly, (comparePsalm 34:17;Psalm 101:8, etc.)
frequently,Perfect andParticiple, onlyIsaiah 10:1 andbusy writers that make a business of writing oppression (i.e. register unjust sentences, compare ; "" ).
(see Biblical Hebrew); —
Perfect3masculine singularDaniel 6:26 person + oratio recta [direct speech],Daniel 7:1 accusative of thing; 3 masculine pluralEzra 4:8 accusative ; 1 pluralEzra 5:10, accusative of thing;Participle active absolute feminine singularDaniel 5:5, subject , feminine pluralDaniel 5:5, subject .
(WCG 224)Perfect3masculine singular Ezra 5:7thus (it) was written, soEzra 6:2.
Topical Lexicon
Meaning and Range of UsageStrong’s Hebrew 3789, kātab, occurs about 227 times, spanning the Torah, Prophets, and Writings. It embraces the full act of writing—inscribing on stone (engraving), drafting on papyrus or parchment, composing literary works, recording royal annals, and issuing legal or prophetic documents. The verb is flexible enough to describe both divine inscription and ordinary human correspondence, underscoring the pervasive role of writing in Israel’s covenant life.
Writing as Divine Initiative
The earliest occurrences show that writing begins with God’s own command. “Then the LORD said to Moses, ‘Write this on a scroll as a reminder…’” (Exodus 17:14). Writing is not merely human invention; it is ordained for the preservation of revelation and memory.Exodus 34:1 records the LORD Himself engraving the Ten Words, whileExodus 34:27-28 presents Moses writing according to divine dictation, illustrating a partnership that guarantees accuracy yet involves human agency.
Writing the Covenant and Law
Writing is foundational to covenant administration. Moses “wrote down all the words of the LORD” (Exodus 24:4) before the covenant meal. Later, “Moses wrote this law and gave it to the priests” (Deuteronomy 31:9); the Levites were to place the scroll beside the ark as perpetual witness (Deuteronomy 31:26). Joshua continued the pattern: “He wrote there on the stones a copy of the law of Moses” (Joshua 8:32). Inscribed covenant documents testify that the people are bound not by oral tradition alone but by an enduring, inspectable canon.
Writing in Prophetic Ministry
The prophets relied on writing to secure and publicize their messages. Isaiah was told, “Go now, write it on a tablet for them… that it may be a witness forever” (Isaiah 30:8). Jeremiah’s scroll episodes (Jeremiah 36:2-32) show writing preserving prophecy against hostile destruction—when Jehoiakim burned the scroll, Jeremiah dictated another “with many similar words added.” Habakkuk was instructed, “Write down the vision and clearly inscribe it on tablets, so that a herald may run with it” (Habakkuk 2:2). Writing thus safeguarded prophecy, ensured broader circulation, and anticipated fulfillment.
Writing in Historical Records and Kingship
Royal courts maintained official chronicles. Samuel “wrote the regulations of the kingship in a book and laid it before the LORD” (1 Samuel 10:25). Numerous summaries cite sources such as “the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel” (e.g.,1 Kings 14:19), indicating systematic record-keeping.2 Kings 18:17-37 and2 Chronicles 32:32 show parallel, independently written accounts, reinforcing historical reliability through multiple witnesses.
Writing in Royal Decrees and Administrative Correspondence
Kings and governors used writing to govern distant territories. David dispatched Uriah’s death warrant in a letter (2 Samuel 11:14). Persian officials “wrote in the name of King Ahasuerus… sealed with the king’s signet ring” (Esther 3:12; 8:10). Ezra and Nehemiah include diplomatic letters (Ezra 4:7-23;Nehemiah 2:7-9) illustrating the legal weight of written edicts within imperial bureaucracies and God’s providence through secular documents.
Writing in Wisdom Literature and Poetry
Wisdom writers valorize writing for moral formation: “Let steadfast love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart” (Proverbs 3:3). Parental instruction is to be “written on the tablet of your heart” (Proverbs 7:3), implying learned internalization. Psalms speaks of future generations reading: “Let this be written for a future generation, that a people not yet created may praise the LORD” (Psalm 102:18).
Writing for Personal and Communal Piety
Every household was to display Scripture: “You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates” (Deuteronomy 6:9; 11:20). The king himself had to “write for himself in a book a copy of this law… and read it all the days of his life” (Deuteronomy 17:18-19), emphasizing personal submission to the written Word. Post-exilic communities revived this practice when Ezra “read aloud from daybreak till noon” from the Law he had earlier written and collated (Nehemiah 8:3-8).
Writing and Preservation of Scripture
Kātab undergirds the entire Old Testament canon. From Mosaic Torah through prophetic scrolls to post-exilic compilations, inspired authors committed revelation to writing so it could be transmitted unchanged (Psalm 119:89). Scribes emerged as guardians and copyists (Jeremiah 36:32;Ezra 7:6). This written form enabled meticulous transmission, public reading in synagogues, and later translation (e.g., the Aramaic Targums, Septuagint).
Theological and Ministry Implications
1. Authority. Because God commands and participates in the writing process, the resulting Scriptures carry His unalterable authority (2 Samuel 23:2).
2. Clarity and Permanence. Written revelation curbs corruption of memory and provides an objective standard for teaching, reproof, correction, and instruction (cf.Proverbs 22:20-21).
3. Universality. Written words cross geographic and temporal boundaries—what was “written aforetime” instructs believers today (Romans 15:4).
4. Discipleship. The pattern of leaders writing and people reading models modern ministry: preparation of faithful resources, encouragement of literacy, and devotion to public reading of Scripture (1 Timothy 4:13).
5. Mission. Habakkuk’s “herald running with the written vision” parallels the Great Commission’s call to make disciples of all nations, teaching them to observe all Christ commanded (Matthew 28:20), preserved for us in written form.
In sum, kātab threads through Israel’s covenant life as the divinely sanctioned means of revelation, remembrance, governance, worship, and witness. Its enduring legacy is seen every time Scripture is read, taught, or copied, fulfilling the LORD’s purpose that His words be “written… not for them alone, but also for us” (cf.Psalm 102:18;1 Corinthians 10:11).
Forms and Transliterations
אֶ֨כְתָּב־ אֶכְתֲּבֶ֑נָּה אכתב־ אכתבנה בְּכָתְבוֹ֩ בִּכְת֣וֹב בַּכְּתֻבִ֔ים בכתבו בכתבים בכתוב הַכְּתֻבִ֖ים הַכְּתֻבִ֣ים הַכְּתוּב֣וֹת הַכְּתוּבִ֖ים הַכְּתוּבִ֨ים הַכְּתוּבָ֕ה הַכְּתוּבָ֖ה הַכָּת֔וּב הַכָּת֖וּב הַכָּת֥וּב הַכָּתוּב֙ הַכֹּתְבִ֖ים הכתבים הכתוב הכתובה הכתובות הכתובים וְ֠כָתַב וְאֶכְתֹּב֙ וְיִכְתְּב֥וּ וְיִכָּתְב֣וּן וְיִכָּתֵ֛ב וְכִתְב֤וּ וְכָ֨תַב וְכָת֣וּב וְכָת֥וּב וְכָת֨וֹב וְכָתַבְתִּי֙ וְכָתַבְתָּ֣ וְכֹתְבִ֑ים וְנִכְתָּ֖ב וַ֠יִּכָּתֵב וַ֠תִּכְתֹּב וַֽיִּכְתְּבֵ֔ם וַֽיִּכְתְּבֵ֗ם וַֽיִּכְתְּבֵ֡ם וַיִּכְתְּב֣וּ וַיִּכְתְּב֧וּהָ וַיִּכְתָּב־ וַיִּכְתֹּ֗ב וַיִּכְתֹּ֣ב וַיִּכְתֹּ֤ב וַיִּכְתֹּ֥ב וַיִּכְתֹּ֨ב וַיִּכְתֹּב֩ וַיִּכָּתֵ֗ב וַיִּכָּתֵ֣ב וַיִּכָּתֵ֥ב וַתִּכְתֹּ֤ב וַתִּכְתֹּ֥ב וָאֶכְתֹּ֤ב וּֽמְכַתְּבִ֥ים וּכְת֣וֹב וּכְתַבְתָּ֛ם וּכְתֹ֖ב וּכְתֹ֣ב וּכְתֹ֤ב ואכתב ויכתב ויכתב־ ויכתבו ויכתבוה ויכתבון ויכתבם וכתב וכתבו וכתבים וכתבת וכתבתי וכתבתם וכתוב ומכתבים ונכתב ותכתב יִכְתְּבֵֽם׃ יִכְתֹּ֤ב יִכָּ֫תֵ֥בוּ יִכָּתֵ֔בוּ יִכָּתֵ֖ב יִכָּתֵ֞ב יִכָּתֵֽבוּ׃ יכתב יכתבו יכתבו׃ יכתבם׃ כְּת֣וֹב כְּתָב־ כְּתֹ֨ב כְּתֻבִ֔ים כְּתֻבִ֖ים כְּתֻבִ֗ים כְּתֻבִֽים׃ כְּתֻבִים֙ כְּתוּבִ֔ים כְּתוּבִ֕ים כְּתוּבִ֖ים כְּתוּבִ֗ים כְּתוּבִ֜ים כְּתוּבִים֙ כְּתוּבָ֛ה כְּתוּבָה֙ כְתוּבִ֗ים כְתוּבָ֖ה כִּכְתָבָ֔הּ כִּכְתָבָ֖ם כִּתְב֞וּ כִּתְב֤וּ כִּתְב֨וּ כִּתֵּֽבוּ׃ כַּכָּת֑וּב כַּכָּת֕וּב כַּכָּת֖וּב כַּכָּת֛וּב כַּכָּת֣וּב כַּכָּתֽוּב׃ כַּכָּתוּב֙ כַכָּת֑וּב כַכָּת֣וּב כָּ֝תְבֵ֗ם כָּ֝תַ֗ב כָּת֗וּב כָּת֣וּב כָּת֥וּב כָּתְב֣וּ כָּתַ֔ב כָּתַ֖בְתִּי כָּתַ֗ב כָּתַ֛ב כָּתַ֛בְתָּ כָּתַ֣ב כָּתַ֥ב כָּתַ֨ב כָּתַ֨בְתָּ כָּתַֽבְתָּ־ כָּתַב֙ כָּתָֽבְתָּ׃ כָּתוּב֙ כָת֔וּב כָת֗וּב כָתְבָ֥הּ כָתַ֣בְתִּי כֹּתֵ֥ב כְּתָב־ ככתבה ככתבם ככתוב ככתוב׃ כתב כתב־ כתבה כתבו כתבו׃ כתבים כתבים׃ כתבם כתבת כתבת־ כתבת׃ כתבתי כתוב כתובה כתובים ל֔וֹ לְךָ֙ לִכְתֹּ֛ב לִכְתֹּ֨ב לו לך לכתב נִכְתָּ֔ב נִכְתָּ֣ב נכתב תִּכְתְּב֤וּ תִּכְתֹּ֖ב תִּכְתֹּ֧ב תִּכָּ֣תֶב תִכְתֹּ֣ב תכתב תכתבו ’eḵ·tă·ḇen·nāh ’eḵ·tāḇ- ’eḵtāḇ- ’eḵtăḇennāh bak·kə·ṯu·ḇîm bakkəṯuḇîm bakketuVim bə·ḵā·ṯə·ḇōw bechateVo bəḵāṯəḇōw bichTov biḵ·ṯō·wḇ biḵṯōwḇ chakkaTuv chaTavti chateVah chaTuv chetuVah chetuVim echtaVennah Echtov hak·kā·ṯūḇ hak·kə·ṯū·ḇāh hak·kə·ṯu·ḇîm hak·kə·ṯū·ḇîm hak·kə·ṯū·ḇō·wṯ hak·kō·ṯə·ḇîm hakkāṯūḇ hakkaTuv hakkəṯūḇāh hakkəṯuḇîm hakkəṯūḇîm hakkəṯūḇōwṯ hakketuVah hakketuVim hakketuVot hakkōṯəḇîm hakkoteVim kā·ṯā·ḇə·tā kā·ṯaḇ kā·ṯaḇ·tā kā·ṯaḇ·tā- kā·ṯaḇ·tî ḵā·ṯaḇ·tî ḵā·ṯə·ḇāh kā·ṯə·ḇêm kā·ṯə·ḇū kā·ṯūḇ ḵā·ṯūḇ kak·kā·ṯūḇ ḵak·kā·ṯūḇ kakkāṯūḇ ḵakkāṯūḇ kakkaTuv kāṯaḇ kāṯāḇətā kāṯaḇtā kāṯaḇtā- kāṯaḇtî ḵāṯaḇtî kaTav kaTaveta katavta kaTavti ḵāṯəḇāh kāṯəḇêm kāṯəḇū kateVem kateVu kāṯūḇ ḵāṯūḇ kaTuv kə·ṯāḇ- kə·ṯō·wḇ kə·ṯōḇ kə·ṯū·ḇāh ḵə·ṯū·ḇāh kə·ṯu·ḇîm kə·ṯū·ḇîm ḵə·ṯū·ḇîm kəṯāḇ- keTo kəṯōḇ ketov kəṯōwḇ kəṯūḇāh ḵəṯūḇāh kəṯuḇîm kəṯūḇîm ḵəṯūḇîm ketuVah ketuVim kichtaVah kichtaVam kiḵ·ṯā·ḇāh kiḵ·ṯā·ḇām kiḵṯāḇāh kiḵṯāḇām kiṯ·ḇū kit·tê·ḇū kiṯḇū kittêḇū kitTevu kitVu kō·ṯêḇ kōṯêḇ koTev lə·ḵā leCha ləḵā lichTo liḵ·tōḇ liḵtōḇ lo lōw nichTav niḵ·tāḇ niḵtāḇ tichteVu tichTo tik·kā·ṯeḇ tiḵ·tə·ḇū tiḵ·tōḇ ṯiḵ·tōḇ tikkāṯeḇ tikKatev tiḵtəḇū tiḵtōḇ ṯiḵtōḇ ū·ḵə·ṯaḇ·tām ū·ḵə·ṯō·wḇ ū·ḵə·ṯōḇ ū·mə·ḵat·tə·ḇîm uchetavTam ucheTo ucheTov ūḵəṯaḇtām ūḵəṯōḇ ūḵəṯōwḇ umechatteVim ūməḵattəḇîm vaechTo vaiyichteVem vaiyichteVu vaiyichteVuha vaiyichTo vaiyichtov vaiyikkaTev vattichTo Vechatav vechatavTa vechatavTi vechaTov vechaTuv vechitVu vechoteVim veechTo venichTav veyichteVu veyikkaTev veyikkateVun wā’eḵtōḇ wā·’eḵ·tōḇ wat·tiḵ·tōḇ wattiḵtōḇ way·yik·kā·ṯêḇ way·yiḵ·tāḇ- way·yiḵ·tə·ḇêm way·yiḵ·tə·ḇū way·yiḵ·tə·ḇū·hā way·yiḵ·tōḇ wayyikkāṯêḇ wayyiḵtāḇ- wayyiḵtəḇêm wayyiḵtəḇū wayyiḵtəḇūhā wayyiḵtōḇ wə’eḵtōḇ wə·’eḵ·tōḇ wə·ḵā·ṯaḇ wə·ḵā·ṯaḇ·tā wə·ḵā·ṯaḇ·tî wə·ḵā·ṯō·wḇ wə·ḵā·ṯūḇ wə·ḵiṯ·ḇū wə·ḵō·ṯə·ḇîm wə·niḵ·tāḇ wə·yik·kā·ṯə·ḇūn wə·yik·kā·ṯêḇ wə·yiḵ·tə·ḇū wəḵāṯaḇ wəḵāṯaḇtā wəḵāṯaḇtî wəḵāṯōwḇ wəḵāṯūḇ wəḵiṯḇū wəḵōṯəḇîm wəniḵtāḇ wəyikkāṯêḇ wəyikkāṯəḇūn wəyiḵtəḇū yichteVem yichTo yik·kā·ṯê·ḇū yik·kā·ṯêḇ yiḵ·tə·ḇêm yiḵ·tōḇ yikkāṯêḇ yikkāṯêḇū yikkaTev yikkaTevu yiḵtəḇêm yiḵtōḇ
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