כְּתַב (ke.tav)
ke.tav
to write
A:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 6 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- A:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun ketav denotes a written document or record. It appears in six biblical verses, primarily within the books of Ezra and Daniel, where it refers to official decrees, letters, and legal records. The term emphasizes the physical artifact of writing—the scroll or tablet itself—rather than the abstract act of inscribing text.
In its context, ketav often carries significant political weight. For instance, in Daniel 6, the king’s signed decree is called a ketav, highlighting its permanence and legal authority. The word underscores the power of written law to bind subjects and preserve memory across distances and time.
Translators typically render ketav as "writing," "document," or "record." This reflects its function as a tangible proof of agreement or command. The consistency of its usage in administrative contexts shows how ancient Near Eastern societies relied on written texts for governance and historical continuity.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word ketav points to the tangible reality of a written record. In ancient times, a scroll or tablet was not just paper; it was a binding legal document, an official decree that could change lives across vast distances. When we read about King Darius signing a decree in Daniel 6, we see how seriously these societies took the permanence of ink on parchment. It was a promise that could not be easily undone.
For your faith life, this reminds us that God’s promises are just as permanent and reliable as any royal decree. While human laws can shift with political winds, the written Word of God stands firm. You can trust that what He has spoken is settled and secure. It offers a steady anchor when the world around you feels unstable.
Consider how Daniel recorded his visions in Daniel 7:1. He did not keep them secret but wrote them down so they would be remembered. This act of writing preserves truth for future generations. We are invited to do the same—recording God’s faithfulness in our own lives, creating a personal history of grace that encourages us when we look back.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 6 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- it was written2×
- we will write1×
- they wrote1×
- he wrote1×
- and/ [they were] writing1×
- [was] writing1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- נִכְתֻּ֥ב1×
- כְּתַ֛בוּ1×
- כְּתִ֥יב1×
- כְּתִ֣יב1×
- כָתְבָֽה\׃1×
- כְתַ֔ב1×
- וְ/כָֽתְבָן֙1×
Key Verses
-
Ezra 4:8
Rehum the chancellor and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to Artaxerxes the king as follows.
This verse introduces the term as an official letter sent to a foreign king, showing its use in high-level political correspondence.
-
Daniel 7:1
In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon, Daniel had a dream and visions of his head while on his bed. Then he wrote the dream and told the sum of the matters.
Daniel writes down his dream and visions, using ketav to preserve spiritual revelation for future understanding.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Hebrew word ketav mean?
Where does ketav appear most frequently?
How is ketav different from other words for writing?
Every Occurrence (6 verses across 2 books)
Ezra 4 verses
Rehum the chancellor and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to Artaxerxes the king as follows.
Ezra 5:7They sent a letter to him, in which was written: To Darius the king, all peace.
Ezra 5:10We asked them their names also, to inform you that we might write the names of the men who were at their head.
Ezra 6:2A scroll was found at Achmetha, in the palace that is in the province of Media, and in it this was written for a record: