כָּתַב
Katav
To write, to inscribe
Katav (כָּתַב) is a Hebrew word meaning “to write, to inscribe,” pronounced “ka-TAV.” Derived from the root כ-ת-ב, katav appears 225 times in the Hebrew Bible (Strong's H3789).
| Hebrew | כָּתַב |
|---|---|
| Transliteration | Katav |
| Pronunciation | ka-TAV |
| Meaning | To write, to inscribe |
| Root Letters | כ-ת-ב |
| Occurrences in Hebrew Bible | 225× |
| Key Verse | Exodus 31:18 |
| Strong's Number | H3789 |
| Category | Actions & Verbs |
Of all the ways God could have communicated the Ten Commandments, He chose to katav (כָּתַב) — to write them with His own finger on tablets of stone (Exodus 31:18). The God who spoke the universe into existence chose the permanence and intimacy of writing to deliver His most essential words to humanity. This act elevated writing to a sacred status in Hebrew culture that has never diminished. The Hebrew Bible is divided into three sections: Torah (Teaching), Nevi'im (Prophets), and Ketuvim (Writings) — that last section takes its name directly from katav. Jeremiah prophesied a day when God would katav His Torah not on stone but on human hearts: 'I will put my Torah within them, and I will katav it on their hearts' (Jeremiah 31:33). This prophecy — the promise of the New Covenant — uses the language of writing to describe the most intimate possible relationship between God and humanity. In Psalm 139:16, David marvels that all his days were katav-ed (written) in God's book before one of them came to be. The Hebrew tradition became history's most devoted culture of the written word — Torah scrolls handwritten letter by letter, every character sacred. Understanding katav reveals a God who loves words enough to write them with His own hand, and who considers your story worth inscribing in His book of life.
Key Bible Verse: Exodus 31:18
“And he gave to Moses, when he had finished speaking with him on Mount Sinai, the two tablets of the testimony, tablets of stone, written (ketuvim) by the finger of God.”
What Is the Root of Katav in Hebrew?
Katav comes from the root כ-ת-ב (kaf-tav-bet), meaning 'to write, to inscribe.' The related words 'ketav' (writing/script), 'michtav' (letter), and 'Ketuvim' (the Writings section of the Hebrew Bible) all derive from this root. The ancient Hebrew script is called 'ketav ivri.'
What Does Katav Mean in the Bible?
Katav appears approximately 225 times in the Hebrew Bible. God writes the commandments (Exodus 31:18), the law requires writing a bill of divorce (Deuteronomy 24:1), prophets are told to write down visions (Habakkuk 2:2, Isaiah 30:8), and the book of life is written by God (Psalm 139:16).
How Is Katav Used in Modern Hebrew?
A Torah scroll must be handwritten by a trained sofer (scribe) — a process taking about a year. Every letter must be perfect; a single error can invalidate the scroll. This reverence for katav has made the Jewish people the 'People of the Book' — a culture defined by the sacred written word.
How to Use Katav in Prayer & Worship
Ask God to katav His Torah on your heart, as Jeremiah 31:33 promises. Pray that His words would not just be ink on a page but the living script of your daily life — written by the same finger that inscribed the Ten Commandments.
Frequently Asked Questions About Katav
How do you say “To write” in Hebrew?
“To write” in Hebrew is Katav (כָּתַב), pronounced “ka-TAV.” Katav comes from the root כ-ת-ב (kaf-tav-bet), meaning 'to write, to inscribe.' The related words 'ketav' (writing/script), 'michtav' (letter), and 'Ketuvim' (the Writings section of the Hebrew Bible) all derive from this root. The ancient Hebrew script is called 'ketav ivri.'
What does Katav mean in the Bible?
Katav (כָּתַב) means “To write, to inscribe” in Biblical Hebrew. Katav appears approximately 225 times in the Hebrew Bible. God writes the commandments (Exodus 31:18), the law requires writing a bill of divorce (Deuteronomy 24:1), prophets are told to write down visions (Habakkuk 2:2, Isaiah 30:8), and the book of life is written by God (Psalm 139:16).
How do you pronounce Katav?
Katav is pronounced “ka-TAV.” The word comes from the Hebrew root כ-ת-ב.
What are the Ketuvim in the Hebrew Bible?
Ketuvim (כְּתוּבִים, 'Writings') is the third section of the Hebrew Bible (Tanakh), after Torah and Nevi'im (Prophets). It includes Psalms, Proverbs, Job, Song of Songs, Ruth, Lamentations, Ecclesiastes, Esther, Daniel, Ezra-Nehemiah, and Chronicles. These books represent diverse literary genres — poetry, wisdom, narrative, and prophecy — all united by the sacred act of katav.
Why did God write the Ten Commandments with His finger?
Exodus 31:18 says the tablets were 'written by the finger of God.' This phrase emphasizes the direct, personal nature of God's communication. He didn't dictate — He wrote. The tablets of stone represent permanence (stone endures), divine authorship (God's own finger), and covenant (written agreements sealed partnerships). God's finger writing on stone parallels Jesus writing in the dust (John 8:6).
What does it mean that our days are 'written' in God's book?
Psalm 139:16 says 'in your book were written (katav), every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.' This reveals that God has a purposeful plan inscribed for each life — not rigid fate but a loving author's intention for each character in His story. Your life is not random; it is katav — written with divine purpose.
Sources & Further Study
- Blue Letter Bible — H3789: Katav
- Bible Gateway — Exodus 31:18 (ESV)
- Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (BDB) — entry for כ-ת-ב
More Actions & Verbs Words
Explore other Hebrew words in the Actions & Verbs category
Related Hebrew Words
Learn a New Hebrew Word Every Day
Join 12,000+ Christians discovering the depth of Scripture through Biblical Hebrew.
Subscribe Free