What does כָּתָב (kātāb) mean in the Bible?
כָּתָב (kātāb): Writing as the inscribed, authoritative record that makes words legally binding and permanently authoritative
Hebrew · H3791
כָּתָב
Something written , i.e. a writing , record or book
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.
כָּתָבH3791
Pronunciationkātāb
What does כָּתָב (kātāb) mean in the Bible?
כָּתָב (kātāb): Writing as the inscribed, authoritative record that makes words legally binding and permanently authoritative
Full entry for כָּתָב (H3791) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How does the BSB render H3791?
The BSB source-word alignment has 17 aligned rows for this entry. Common renderings include of the text (2), their family records (2), - (1), . . . (1), according to the instructions written (1).
Where does כָּתָב (kātāb) appear in Scripture?
The source-word alignment first shows this entry at 1 Chronicles 28:19. Its strongest book concentrations include Esther (9), 2 Chronicles (2), Ezra (2), 1 Chronicles (1).
Source Word Evidence
BSB source-word alignment connects this entry to exact verse rows, English rendering, source form, transliteration, and parsing.
How English Renders Itof the text2×Esther 3:14, Esther 8:13
their family records2×Ezra 2:62, Nehemiah 7:64
-1×Ezra 4:7
. . .1×Esther 8:9
according to the instructions written1×2 Chronicles 35:4
according to their regulation1×Esther 9:27
For a decree1×Esther 8:8
in its own script1×Esther 1:22
in the Book1×Daniel 10:21
in the register1×Ezekiel 13:9
in the script1×Esther 3:12
in their own script1×Esther 8:9
in writing1×1 Chronicles 28:19
of the written1×Esther 4:8
wrote a letter1×2 Chronicles 2:11
Show sample aligned rows
1 Chronicles 28:19בִּכְתָ֛בtoin writingPreposition-b | Noun - masculine singular2 Chronicles 2:11בִּכְתָ֔בtowrote a letterPreposition-b | Noun - masculine singular2 Chronicles 35:4בִּכְתָ֗בtoaccording to the instructions writtenPreposition-b | Noun - masculine singular constructEzra 2:62כְתָבָ֛םtotheir family recordsNoun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine pluralEzra 4:7וּכְתָב֙to-Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular constructNehemiah 7:64כְתָבָ֛םtotheir family recordsNoun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine pluralEsther 1:22כִּכְתָבָ֔הּtoin its own scriptPreposition-k | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person feminine singularEsther 3:12כִּכְתָבָ֔הּtoin the scriptPreposition-k | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person feminine singularEsther 3:14הַכְּתָ֗בtoof the textArticle | Noun - masculine singularEsther 4:8כְּתָֽב־toof the writtenNoun - masculine singular construct
Usage map
A compact distribution from source-word alignment before the full evidence tables.
First aligned row1 Chronicles 28:19
Aligned rows17
Books represented7
1 Chronicles12 Chronicles2Ezra2Nehemiah1Esther9Ezekiel1Daniel1
Source forms
כִּכְתָבָ֔הּ3xkiḵ·ṯā·ḇāhEsther 1:22, Esther 3:12, Esther 8:9
הַכְּתָ֗ב2xhak·kə·ṯāḇEsther 3:14, Esther 8:13
כִּכְתָבָ֖ם2xkiḵ·ṯā·ḇāmEsther 8:9, Esther 9:27
כְתָבָ֛ם2xḵə·ṯā·ḇāmEzra 2:62, Nehemiah 7:64
בִּכְתָ֛ב1xbiḵ·ṯāḇ1 Chronicles 28:19
בִּכְתָ֔ב1xbiḵ·ṯāḇ2 Chronicles 2:11
בִּכְתָ֗ב1xbiḵ·ṯāḇ2 Chronicles 35:4
בִּכְתָ֖ב1xbiḵ·ṯāḇDaniel 10:21
Parsing patterns
Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person feminine singular3xEsther 1:22, Esther 3:12, Esther 8:9
Article | Noun - masculine singular2xEsther 3:14, Esther 8:13
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural2xEzra 2:62, Nehemiah 7:64
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular2x1 Chronicles 28:19, 2 Chronicles 2:11
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct2x2 Chronicles 35:4, Daniel 10:21
Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural2xEsther 8:9, Esther 9:27
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct1xEzra 4:7
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct1xEzekiel 13:9
Evidence Summary
Hebrew word. Writing as the inscribed, authoritative record that makes words legally binding and permanently authoritative
Source Gloss
something written , i.e. a writing , record or book
Extended definitionSource: Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon + Brown-Driver-Briggs
Writing as the inscribed, authoritative record that makes words legally binding and permanently authoritative
something written, i.e. a writing, record or book BDB: writing Usage: register, scripture, writing.
Grammatical Forms
How this word appears across different grammatical cases and numbers.
Word Origins
כָּתָב 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.