What does כָּתַב · γράφω mean in the Bible?
כָּתַב · γράφω is a Hebrew phrase meaning "to record or inscribe in written form".
Hebrew · H3789, G1125
כָּתַב
To grave , by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe) · to "grave", especially to write; figuratively, to describe
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Words in this compound — expand to study each participant
כָּתַבH3789to grave , by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe)
Pronunciationkātab
Encompasses the full arc from physical inscription to authoritative command: engraving permanence into written law and covenant.
Open lexicon entry →γράφωG1125to "grave", especially to write; figuratively, to describe
Pronunciationgráphō
Perfect tense γέγραπται emphasizes Scripture's abiding authority: "it stands written" as permanently binding truth.
Open lexicon entry →What does כָּתַב (kathav) mean in the Bible?
כָּתַב · γράφω is a Hebrew phrase meaning "to record or inscribe in written form".
Full entry for כָּתַב (H3789, G1125) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How many biblical occurrences are listed for H3789, G1125?
H3789, G1125 is connected to 227 lexical occurrence verses in the lexicon data.
Evidence Summary
Hebrew phrase. to record or inscribe in written form
Source Gloss
to record or inscribe in written form
Grammatical Forms
How the stem changes the meaning of this verb across the biblical text.
This verb appears through different tense, voice, mood, or stem patterns. Those forms help readers see how the action is presented in context.
Form groups3Aligned forms120
Qalbasic active stem — the word in its most common, direct sense110×
Participle passive1Chr 9:1 · 1Chr 29:29 · 1Kgs 11:41 · 1Kgs 14:19 · 1Kgs 14:29 · 1Kgs 15:7 · 1Kgs 15:23 · 1Kgs 15:31 · 1Kgs 16:5 · 1Kgs 16:14 · 1Kgs 16:20 · 1Kgs 16:27 · 1Kgs 21:11 · 1Kgs 22:39 · 1Kgs 22:46 · 2Chr 9:2975×
Perfect2Chr 26:22 · 2Chr 30:1 · 2Chr 32:17 · 2Kgs 17:37 · Esth 8:5 · Esth 9:23 · Ezra 4:7 · Jer 36:27 · Job 31:35 · Josh 8:32 · Exod 32:32 · Jer 36:6 · Jer 36:17 · Jer 36:29 · Exod 24:12 · Prov 22:2017×
Sequential imperfectExod 17:14 · Exod 34:27 · Ezek 24:2 · Hab 2:2 · Jer 30:2 · Deut 31:19 · Esth 8:8 · Jer 22:308×
ImperfectEzek 37:20 · Job 13:26 · Num 17:17 · Num 17:18 · Hos 8:12 · Isa 44:5 · Josh 18:68×
Infinitive absoluteEzek 24:21×
Participle activeJer 36:181×
Niphalpassive or reflexive — the subject receives or experiences the action9×
ImperfectEzek 13:9 · Jer 17:13 · Ps 139:16 · Esth 3:9 · Ps 102:195×
Participle passiveEsth 3:12 · Esth 8:82×
JussiveEsth 8:5 · Ps 69:292×
Pielintensive active — emphasizes thoroughness or repeated action1×
PerfectIsa 10:11×
Word Origins
כָּתַב is a primitive root - no further derivation.