What does כְּתַב (kĕtab) mean in the Bible?
".
Hebrew · H3790
כְּתַב
Write(-ten).
Reading a lexicon entry
What this page is: Each lexicon entry shows the original Hebrew or Greek word behind the English translation: its meaning, its range of use, and where it appears in Scripture.
Strong's number: The Strong's code (H- or G-) is the standard reference number for this word. It connects this entry to chapter and passage language tabs.
Where it appears: The witness passages show where this word is used in context. Click any to open the study page for that passage.
This lexicon entry is part of our ongoing editorial review. If you notice missing content, unclear wording, or a possible correction, please send us a note through theConnect page. Screenshots are helpful.
כְּתַבH3790
Pronunciationkĕtab
What does כְּתַב (kĕtab) mean in the Bible?
כְּתַב (kĕtab) is a Hebrew word meaning "write(-ten).".
Full entry for כְּתַב (H3790) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How does the BSB render H3790?
The BSB source-word alignment has 8 aligned rows for this entry. Common renderings include wrote (2), and wrote (1), He wrote down (1), read as follows (1), was writing (1).
Where does כְּתַב (kĕtab) appear in Scripture?
The source-word alignment first shows this entry at Ezra 4:8. Its strongest book concentrations include Daniel (4), Ezra (4).
Source Word Evidence
BSB source-word alignment connects this entry to exact verse rows, English rendering, source form, transliteration, and parsing.
How English Renders Itwrote2×Ezra 4:8, Daniel 6:25
and wrote1×Daniel 5:5
He wrote down1×Daniel 7:1
read as follows1×Ezra 5:7
was writing1×Daniel 5:5
we could write down1×Ezra 5:10
written1×Ezra 6:2
Show sample aligned rows
Ezra 4:8כְּתַ֛בוּtowroteVerb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine pluralEzra 5:7כְּתִ֣יבtoread as followsVerb - Nifal - Perfect - third person masculine singularEzra 5:10נִכְתֻּ֥בtowe could write downVerb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common pluralEzra 6:2כְּתִ֥יבtowrittenVerb - Nifal - Perfect - third person masculine singularDaniel 5:5וְכָֽתְבָן֙toand wroteConjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - feminine pluralDaniel 5:5כָתְבָֽה׃towas writingVerb - Qal - Participle - feminine singularDaniel 6:25כְּ֠תַבtowroteVerb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singularDaniel 7:1כְתַ֔בtoHe wrote downVerb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Usage map
A compact distribution from source-word alignment before the full evidence tables.
First aligned rowEzra 4:8
Aligned rows8
Books represented2
Ezra4Daniel4
Source forms
וְכָֽתְבָן֙1xwə·ḵā·ṯə·ḇānDaniel 5:5
כְתַ֔ב1xḵə·ṯaḇDaniel 7:1
כְּ֠תַב1xkə·ṯaḇDaniel 6:25
כָתְבָֽה׃1xḵā·ṯə·ḇāhDaniel 5:5
כְּתַ֛בוּ1xkə·ṯa·ḇūEzra 4:8
כְּתִ֣יב1xkə·ṯîḇEzra 5:7
כְּתִ֥יב1xkə·ṯîḇEzra 6:2
נִכְתֻּ֥ב1xniḵ·tuḇEzra 5:10
Parsing patterns
Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person masculine singular2xEzra 5:7, Ezra 6:2
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular2xDaniel 6:25, Daniel 7:1
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - feminine plural1xDaniel 5:5
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common plural1xEzra 5:10
Verb - Qal - Participle - feminine singular1xDaniel 5:5
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine plural1xEzra 4:8
Evidence Summary
Hebrew word. write(-ten).
Source Gloss
write(-ten).
Extended definitionSource: Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon + Brown-Driver-Briggs
BDB: write Usage: write(-ten).
Word Origins
כְּתַב is built from this root:
Part of These Phrases
Compound and idiomatic phrases that include this word. Follow a link to study the phrase and how its parts work together.