כָּתָב
something written, i.e. a writing, record or book
Definition
The Hebrew noun כָּתָב (kâthâb) refers to any form of written document, from a formal written record to a piece of sacred scripture. Its primary meaning is 'something written,' which can denote a royal decree or letter, as seen in Esther 3:12 and 1:22. It also specifically refers to official registers or genealogical records, such as the book of the genealogy in Ezra 2:62 and Nehemiah 7:64. In a significant theological context, it describes divinely authored writing, like the 'writing from the hand of the LORD' given to David concerning the temple plans in 1 Chronicles 28:19.
Biblical Usage
כָּתָב is used 16 times in the Old Testament, primarily in historical books like Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther. It consistently appears in contexts of official, authoritative documentation. This includes royal proclamations (Esther), administrative records (Ezra 4:7), and genealogical lists (Ezra 2:62). A key pattern is its use for writings that carry legal, administrative, or divine authority, distinguishing it from more informal writing.
Etymology
The noun כָּתָב is derived from the root verb כָּתַב (kâthab, H3789), meaning 'to write, inscribe, or record.' This root is common in Semitic languages, with cognates in Aramaic and Arabic. The noun form developed to signify the concrete product or result of the action of writing, encompassing everything from a single inscription to an entire book.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it is a foundational term for the concept of Scripture. It points to the tangible, written nature of God's communication and instruction. In 1 Chronicles 28:19, it refers to divinely authored architectural plans, highlighting God's role as author. Understanding כָּתָב enriches the reading of passages about 'the scriptures' by grounding them in the concrete reality of authoritative, recorded text, which was central to Israel's worship, law, and identity.
In ancient Israelite culture, writing was a specialized skill, and a כָּתָב represented authority, permanence, and officiality. Unlike today's abundance of casual text, a written document was typically a formal, legal, or royal instrument. A royal decree (Esther) or a priestly register (Ezra) carried the full weight of the issuing authority. This cultural weight behind the term amplifies the authority of the biblical texts it describes.
סֵפֶר (sêpher, H5612) — A broader term for a 'book' or 'scroll,' often containing a כָּתָב. מִכְתָּב (mikhtâb, H4385) — A 'writing' or 'letter,' very close in meaning but used less frequently.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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