Hebrew · H3789, G1125 · unreviewed

כָּתַב

To grave , by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe) · to "grave", especially to write; figuratively, to describe

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Words in this compound — expand to study each participant

כָּתַב H3789 to grave , by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe)
Pronunciation kātab
Encompasses the full arc from physical inscription to authoritative command: engraving permanence into written law and covenant.
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γράφω G1125 to "grave", especially to write; figuratively, to describe
Pronunciation gráphō
Perfect tense γέγραπται emphasizes Scripture's abiding authority: "it stands written" as permanently binding truth.
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What does כָּתַב (kathav) mean in the Bible?

כָּתַב · γράφω is a Hebrew word meaning "to record or inscribe in written form".

Full entry for כָּתַב (H3789, G1125) · Browse the biblical lexicon

Meaning

to record or inscribe in written form
Grammatical Forms

How the stem changes the meaning of this verb across the biblical text.

Qal basic active stem — the word in its most common, direct sense 110×
Participle passive 1Chr 9:1 · 1Chr 29:29 · 1Kgs 11:41 · 1Kgs 14:19 · 1Kgs 14:29 · 1Kgs 15:7 · 1Kgs 15:23 · 1Kgs 15:31 · 1Kgs 16:5 · 1Kgs 16:14 · 1Kgs 16:20 · 1Kgs 16:27 · 1Kgs 21:11 · 1Kgs 22:39 · 1Kgs 22:46 · 2Chr 9:29 75×
Perfect 2Chr 26:22 · 2Chr 30:1 · 2Chr 32:17 · 2Kgs 17:37 · Esth 8:5 · Esth 9:23 · Ezra 4:7 · Jer 36:27 · Job 31:35 · Josh 8:32 · Exod 32:32 · Jer 36:6 · Jer 36:17 · Jer 36:29 · Exod 24:12 · Prov 22:20 17×
Sequential imperfect Exod 17:14 · Exod 34:27 · Ezek 24:2 · Hab 2:2 · Jer 30:2 · Deut 31:19 · Esth 8:8 · Jer 22:30
Imperfect Ezek 37:20 · Job 13:26 · Num 17:17 · Num 17:18 · Hos 8:12 · Isa 44:5 · Josh 18:6
Infinitive absolute Ezek 24:2
Participle active Jer 36:18
Niphal passive or reflexive — the subject receives or experiences the action
Imperfect Ezek 13:9 · Jer 17:13 · Ps 139:16 · Esth 3:9 · Ps 102:19
Participle passive Esth 3:12 · Esth 8:8
Jussive Esth 8:5 · Ps 69:29
Piel intensive active — emphasizes thoroughness or repeated action
Perfect Isa 10:1
Hebrew Verb Forms

How this verb appears across 120 occurrences in the Hebrew OT (OSHB Leningrad Codex).

Aspect / Form
Participle passive 77 Perfect 18 Imperfect 15 Imperative 8 Infinitive absolute 1 Participle 1
Stem
Qal 110 Niphal 9 Piel 1
Mood
Indicative 18 Indicative/jussive 11 Imperative 8 Jussive 2 Indicative/cohortative 2
OT Occurrences
Exod 17:14 Qal · Imperative · Imperative Exod 24:12 Qal · Perfect · Indicative Exod 31:18 Qal · Participle passive Exod 32:15 Qal · Participle passive Exod 32:15 Qal · Participle passive Exod 32:32 Qal · Perfect · Indicative Exod 34:27 Qal · Imperative · Imperative Num 17:17 Qal · Imperfect · Indicative/jussive Num 17:18 Qal · Imperfect · Indicative/jussive Deut 9:10 Qal · Participle passive Deut 28:61 Qal · Participle passive Deut 31:19 Qal · Imperative · Imperative Josh 8:32 Qal · Perfect · Indicative Josh 10:13 Qal · Participle passive Josh 18:6 Qal · Imperfect · Indicative/jussive 2 Sam 1:18 Qal · Participle passive 1 Kgs 11:41 Qal · Participle passive 1 Kgs 14:19 Qal · Participle passive 1 Kgs 14:29 Qal · Participle passive 1 Kgs 15:7 Qal · Participle passive 1 Kgs 15:23 Qal · Participle passive 1 Kgs 15:31 Qal · Participle passive 1 Kgs 16:5 Qal · Participle passive 1 Kgs 16:14 Qal · Participle passive 1 Kgs 16:20 Qal · Participle passive 1 Kgs 16:27 Qal · Participle passive 1 Kgs 21:11 Qal · Participle passive 1 Kgs 22:39 Qal · Participle passive 1 Kgs 22:46 Qal · Participle passive 2 Kgs 1:18 Qal · Participle passive 2 Kgs 8:23 Qal · Participle passive 2 Kgs 10:34 Qal · Participle passive 2 Kgs 12:20 Qal · Participle passive 2 Kgs 13:8 Qal · Participle passive 2 Kgs 13:12 Qal · Participle passive 2 Kgs 14:15 Qal · Participle passive 2 Kgs 14:18 Qal · Participle passive 2 Kgs 14:28 Qal · Participle passive 2 Kgs 15:6 Qal · Participle passive 2 Kgs 15:11 Qal · Participle passive +80 more occurrences

Aspect in Hebrew reflects grammatical form, not tense. "Perfect" (Perfective) typically denotes completed action; "Imperfect" (Imperfective) denotes incomplete or ongoing action. Stem modifies the action type (Qal=simple, Niphal=passive, Piel=intensive, etc.).

Morphology: OSHB WLC (Open Scriptures, CC BY 4.0) · STEPBible TEHMC (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0)

Word Pictures (Robertson)
Sources