קְטַל (qe.tal)
qe.tal
to slay
A:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 6 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- A:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb qatal means simply to kill or slay someone. It appears six times in the Bible, with five of those occurrences found in the book of Daniel. The word describes the physical act of putting a person to death, without adding emotional nuance like grief or anger. It is a straightforward term for execution or violence.
In Daniel, this verb highlights the power of earthly rulers over life and death. For example, the king commands that certain individuals be slain, showing how political authority can enforce finality. The text uses this word to mark decisive moments where human law overrides survival. It does not describe accidental death or natural causes, but deliberate action.
Translators usually render qatal as "slay" or "kill," keeping the tone neutral and direct. Unlike other Hebrew words that might imply murder or vengeance, qatal focuses on the result: the person is no longer alive. This clarity helps readers understand the severity of the events in Daniel without distraction.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word qatal appears only six times in Scripture, primarily within the book of Daniel. It describes the straightforward act of putting someone to death, focusing on the finality of the event rather than the emotions behind it. In these narratives, we see earthly rulers exercising their power to slay whom they choose, highlighting the fragility of human life under political authority.
Yet this word also serves as a backdrop for God’s ultimate sovereignty. Even when kings issue decrees to kill, such as in Daniel 2:13, God’s people find deliverance through faith and wisdom. The text reminds us that while human power can take life, it cannot override God’s purposes. This clarity helps readers grasp the severity of the threats faced by biblical figures without distraction from emotional language.
For your faith, this word offers a sobering perspective on trust. When circumstances seem dire, remember that God remains in control. His plans are not thwarted by human decisions or violent acts. Instead, these moments often become opportunities for divine intervention and witness.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 6 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- to/ kill1×
- to/ be killed1×
- killing1×
- it was killed1×
- it killed1×
- he was killed1×
- [were] about to be killed1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- קָטֵ֗ל1×
- קַטִּ֣ל1×
- קְטִילַ֤ת1×
- קְטִ֕יל1×
- מִֽתְקַטְּלִ֑ין1×
- לְ/קַטָּלָ֔ה1×
- לְ/הִתְקְטָלָֽה\׃\ \פ1×
Key Verses
-
Daniel 2:13
So the decree went out, and the wise men were to be slain. They sought Daniel and his companions to be slain.
This verse shows the decree to slay wise men, highlighting how political authority enforces finality in life-and-death decisions.
-
Daniel 5:19
Because of the greatness that he gave him, all the peoples, nations, and languages trembled and feared before him. He killed whom he wanted to, and he kept alive whom he wanted to. He raised up whom he wanted to, and he put down whom he wanted to.
Here, the word emphasizes Nebuchadnezzar’s absolute power to kill or spare, contrasting human dominion with God’s ultimate control.
-
Daniel 5:30
In that night Belshazzar the Chaldean King was slain.
The slaying of Belshazzar marks the end of his reign, demonstrating that earthly power is temporary and subject to divine judgment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does qatal mean in the Bible?
How is qatal different from other words for killing?
Where does qatal appear most frequently?
Every Occurrence (6 verses across 1 books)
Daniel 6 verses
So the decree went out, and the wise men were to be slain. They sought Daniel and his companions to be slain.
Daniel 2:14Then Daniel returned answer with counsel and prudence to Arioch the captain of the king’s guard, who had gone out to…
Daniel 3:22Therefore because the king’s commandment was urgent and the furnace exceedingly hot, the flame of the fire killed those…
Daniel 5:19Because of the greatness that he gave him, all the peoples, nations, and languages trembled and feared before him. He…
Daniel 5:30In that night Belshazzar the Chaldean King was slain.
Daniel 7:11“I watched at that time because of the voice of the arrogant words which the horn spoke. I watched even until the…