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 the Connect page. Screenshots are helpful.
כְּתַב H3790
Pronunciation kĕtab
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 It wrote 2× Ezra 4:8, Daniel 6:25
and wrote 1× Daniel 5:5
He wrote down 1× Daniel 7:1
read as follows 1× Ezra 5:7
was writing 1× Daniel 5:5
we could write down 1× Ezra 5:10
written 1× Ezra 6:2
Show sample aligned rows
Ezra 4:8 כְּתַ֛בוּ to wrote Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine plural Ezra 5:7 כְּתִ֣יב to read as follows Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person masculine singular Ezra 5:10 נִכְתֻּ֥ב to we could write down Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common plural Ezra 6:2 כְּתִ֥יב to written Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person masculine singular Daniel 5:5 וְכָֽתְבָן֙ to and wrote Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - feminine plural Daniel 5:5 כָתְבָֽה׃ to was writing Verb - Qal - Participle - feminine singular Daniel 6:25 כְּ֠תַב to wrote Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular Daniel 7:1 כְתַ֔ב to He wrote down Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Usage map
A compact distribution from source-word alignment before the full evidence tables.
First aligned row Ezra 4:8
Aligned rows 8
Books represented 2
Ezra 4 Daniel 4
Source forms
וְכָֽתְבָן֙ 1x wə·ḵā·ṯə·ḇān Daniel 5:5
כְתַ֔ב 1x ḵə·ṯaḇ Daniel 7:1
כְּ֠תַב 1x kə·ṯaḇ Daniel 6:25
כָתְבָֽה׃ 1x ḵā·ṯə·ḇāh Daniel 5:5
כְּתַ֛בוּ 1x kə·ṯa·ḇū Ezra 4:8
כְּתִ֣יב 1x kə·ṯîḇ Ezra 5:7
כְּתִ֥יב 1x kə·ṯîḇ Ezra 6:2
נִכְתֻּ֥ב 1x niḵ·tuḇ Ezra 5:10
Parsing patterns
Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person masculine singular 2x Ezra 5:7, Ezra 6:2
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular 2x Daniel 6:25, Daniel 7:1
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - feminine plural 1x Daniel 5:5
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common plural 1x Ezra 5:10
Verb - Qal - Participle - feminine singular 1x Daniel 5:5
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine plural 1x Ezra 4:8
Evidence Summary
Hebrew word. write(-ten).
Source Gloss
write(-ten).
Extended definition Source: 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.
Sources
MorphGNT Strong's Dictionary XML — CC0 1.0 Public Domain
Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible (morphhb/OSHB) — CC BY 4.0
Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon — CC BY 4.0
Berean Standard Bible (BSB) source-word alignment - CC0 Public Domain