כָּתַב

to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe)

Definition

The Hebrew verb כָּתַב (kâthab) fundamentally means 'to write' or 'to inscribe,' but its semantic range extends beyond mere penmanship. It can denote the act of recording information permanently, as when God commands Moses to write a memorial in a book (Exodus 17:14). It also encompasses the concept of authoritative inscription, such as God writing the Ten Commandments on tablets of stone (Exodus 31:18). In legal or covenantal contexts, it implies prescribing or decreeing, as seen in the writing of the Book of the Covenant (Exodus 24:4, 7). The word thus covers writing for record, revelation, and regulation.

Biblical Usage

כָּתַב is used over 210 times across the Old Testament, especially in the Pentateuch, historical books, and prophetic writings. It frequently appears in contexts of divine command (Exodus 34:27), legal documentation (Deuteronomy 24:1, 3), and historical record-keeping (Joshua 10:13). A significant pattern is its use for God's direct writing, such as the tablets of the law (Exodus 32:15-16), and for human writing under divine instruction, emphasizing the transmission of authoritative text. It is also used for personal writing, like Moses' plea in Exodus 32:32.

Etymology

כָּתַב is a primitive root, meaning its origin is not derived from another Hebrew word. Cognates exist in related Semitic languages like Aramaic (כְּתַב) and Arabic (kataba), all carrying the core meaning 'to write.' This suggests an ancient, shared concept of inscribing or marking. The Hebrew meaning developed from the physical act of engraving or cutting into a surface to the broader act of writing with a stylus or pen on various materials.

Semantic Range

This word is theologically significant as it is intimately connected with the concept of Scripture and divine revelation. When God 'writes,' it signifies the permanence, authority, and objective reality of His communication (Exodus 31:18). The act of writing under God's command, as with Moses, establishes the written Word as a foundational medium of covenant and law. Understanding כָּתַב enriches Bible reading by highlighting that biblical texts are often presented not as mere human compositions but as divinely authorized written documents, central to Israel's identity and faith.

In ancient Near Eastern culture, writing was a specialized skill, often associated with scribal classes, royal administration, and religious authority. Writing materials ranged from stone tablets (Exodus 32:16) to scrolls of papyrus or leather (Jeremiah 36:2). The act of writing conferred durability and official status to laws, treaties, and records. This contrasts with modern casual writing; in the biblical world, to 'write' something often carried legal, covenantal, or monumental weight, making it a formal and consequential act.

חָקַק (châqaq, H2710) — to engrave, inscribe, or decree; often used for carving in stone or enacting a statute. סָפַר (câphar, H5608) — to count, recount, or tell; relates to narrating or declaring, not the physical act of writing. רָשַׁם (râsham, H7559) — to note or inscribe; a later Aramaic-influenced term for writing or signing.

Word Details

Scripture References