כְּתָב
ka.tav
writing
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredThe Hebrew word "ka.tav" (H3791) is defined as "writing". This term encompasses various forms of written communication, including texts, documents, and inscriptions. The 17 occurrences of "ka.tav" in the Bible demonstrate its significance in ancient Hebrew culture, where writing played a crucial role in record-keeping, storytelling, and conveying messages. The usage of "ka.tav" is diverse, appearing in contexts such as writing laws (Exodus 24:4), recording historical events (2 Kings 25:30), and creating literary works (Psalm 45:1). The term's range of application highlights the importance of writing in ancient Hebrew society, where it was used to convey information, preserve knowledge, and express artistic creativity. The significance of "ka.tav" lies in its representation of the written word as a powerful tool for communication, record-keeping, and artistic expression. Its repeated appearances in the Bible underscore the value placed on writing in ancient Hebrew culture, where it wasesiyle a means of preserving history, transmitting knowledge, and conveying messages to future generations.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
17 total occurrences across the text
Prepare yourselves after your fathers’ houses by your divisions, according to the writing of David king of Israel, and according to the writing of Solomon his son.
Ezra 2:62These sought their place among those who were registered by genealogy, but they were not found: therefore were they deemed disqualified and removed from the priesthood.
Ezra 4:7In the days of Artaxerxes, Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and the rest of his companions, wrote to Artaxerxes king of Persia; and the writing of the letter was written in Syrian, and delivered in the Syrian language.
Nehemiah 7:64These searched for their genealogical records, but couldn’t find them. Therefore they were deemed disqualified and removed from the priesthood.
Esther 1:22for he sent letters into all the king’s provinces, into every province according to its writing, and to every people in their language, that every man should rule his own house, speaking in the language of his own people.
Esther 3:12Then the king’s scribes were called in on the first month, on the thirteenth day of the month; and all that Haman commanded was written to the king’s local governors, and to the governors who were over every province, and to the princes of every people, to every province according to its writing, and to every people in their language. It was written in the name of King Ahasuerus, and it was sealed with the king’s ring.
Esther 3:14A copy of the letter, that the decree should be given out in every province, was published to all the peoples, that they should be ready against that day.
Esther 4:8He also gave him the copy of the writing of the decree that was given out in Susa to destroy them, to show it to Esther, and to declare it to her, and to urge her to go in to the king, to make supplication to him, and to make request before him, for her people.
Esther 8:8Write also to the Jews, as it pleases you, in the king’s name, and seal it with the king’s ring; for the writing which is written in the king’s name, and sealed with the king’s ring, may not be reversed by any man.”
Esther 8:9Then the king’s scribes were called at that time, in the third month, which is the month Sivan, on the twenty-third day of the month; and it was written according to all that Mordecai commanded to the Jews, and to the local governors, and the governors and princes of the provinces which are from India to Ethiopia, one hundred twenty-seven provinces, to every province according to its writing, and to every people in their language, and to the Jews in their writing, and in their language.
Esther 8:9Then the king’s scribes were called at that time, in the third month, which is the month Sivan, on the twenty-third day of the month; and it was written according to all that Mordecai commanded to the Jews, and to the local governors, and the governors and princes of the provinces which are from India to Ethiopia, one hundred twenty-seven provinces, to every province according to its writing, and to every people in their language, and to the Jews in their writing, and in their language.
Esther 8:13A copy of the letter, that the decree should be given out in every province, was published to all the peoples, that the Jews should be ready for that day to avenge themselves on their enemies.
Esther 9:27the Jews established and imposed on themselves, and on their descendants, and on all those who joined themselves to them, so that it should not fail that they would keep these two days according to what was written, and according to its appointed time, every year;
Ezekiel 13:9“My hand will be against the prophets who see false visions and who utter lying divinations. They will not be in the council of my people, neither will they be written in the writing of the house of Israel, neither will they enter into the land of Israel. Then you will know that I am the Lord Yahweh.”
Daniel 10:21But I will tell you that which is inscribed in the writing of truth. There is no one who holds with me against these, but Michael your prince.
1 Chronicles 28:19“All this”, David said, “I have been made to understand in writing from Yahweh’s hand, even all the works of this pattern.”
2 Chronicles 2:11Then Huram the king of Tyre answered in writing, which he sent to Solomon, “Because Yahweh loves his people, he has made you king over them.”