כֶּתֶם
𐤊𐤕𐤌
kethem
H3800 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A rare and poetic noun referring to highly valuable gold, typically in its native or unalloyed, pure state. In biblical usage, kethem generally denotes fine or refined gold, often contrasted with other less refined metals or alloys. The term can encompass both naturally occurring lumps (nuggets, ingots) and the refined metal, emphasizing its value, purity, and desirability.
Semantic Range
pure gold, refined gold, fine gold; gold in natural, valuable, or unalloyed form; precious metal; gold nugget, gold ornament
Root / Etymology
Derived from the root כתם (k-t-m), which probably means 'to carve out, engrave, inscribe' but is primarily attested in the noun כֶּתֶם. The connection between the root meaning and the noun may reflect the concept of gold as a metal carved or extracted from the earth. The root itself is rare and its usage outside this noun is uncertain.
Historical & Contextual Notes
כֶּתֶם appears only a handful of times in the Hebrew Bible (e.g., Job 28:16, Proverbs 25:12), often in parallel with other terms for gold (such as זָהָב, zahav), suggesting a specific connotation of especially pure or high-quality gold. In poetic usage, כֶּתֶם can evoke imagery of luxury, wealth, or splendid ornament. While later translations (including the Septuagint and Vulgate) sometimes render the term as 'gold,' they may dilute its original meaning of particularly pure or precious gold. In the context of Israelite society, gold was scarce and highly valued, used in royal and cultic contexts. כֶּתֶם contrasts with זָהָב, the general term for gold, in stressing quality or form (such as naturally occurring nuggets or precious ornaments). English translations often render כֶּתֶם as 'fine gold,' 'pure gold,' or 'choice gold,' but may overlook the nuance of gold's form or origin. The later Rabbinic tradition sometimes interprets כֶּתֶם as meaning a specific kind of high-quality or imported gold, reflecting ongoing interpretation.
Translation Consistency
Kethem specifically denotes gold in its unalloyed, valuable state — refined or fine metal. “Pure gold” is the most natural, clear English rendering that captures the typical biblical sense (unalloyed/refined gold) and will read naturally and consistently across all occurrences.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from כָּתַם; properly, something carved out, i.e. ore; hence, gold (pure as originally mined); ((most) fine, pure) gold(-en wedge).
Bantu Hebrew
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כתם (k-t-m) — to carve out, to mark, to inscribe; by extension carved-out precious metal
Word Forms
6 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3800-01 |
בְּ/כֶ֣תֶם | bekhetem | HR/Ncmsc |
in gold | in fine gold | in fine gold | 4 |
H3800-06 |
וְ֝/לַ/כֶּ֗תֶם | velaketem | HC/Rd/Ncmsa |
or to fine gold | and to the fine gold | and to the fine gold | 1 |
H3800-05 |
מִ/כֶּ֥תֶם | miketem | HR/Ncmsc |
than gold | from refined gold | than fine gold | 1 |
H3800-03 |
כֶּ֣תֶם | ketem | HNcmsc |
pure gold | fine gold of | fine gold | 1 |
H3800-04 |
כָ֑תֶם | khatem | HNcmsa |
of fine gold | pure gold | pure gold | 1 |
H3800-02 |
הַ/כֶּ֣תֶם | haketem | HTd/Ncmsa |
the fine gold | the refined gold | the refined gold | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
9 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3800-05 |
Isaiah 13:12 | מִ/כֶּ֥תֶם | miketem | HR/Ncmsc |
than gold | from refined gold | than fine gold |
H3800-01 |
Psalms 45:10 | בְּ/כֶ֣תֶם | bekhetem | HR/Ncmsc |
in gold | in fine gold | in fine gold |
H3800-04 |
Proverbs 25:12 | כָ֑תֶם | khatem | HNcmsa |
of fine gold | pure gold | pure gold |
H3800-01 |
Job 28:16 | בְּ/כֶ֣תֶם | bekhetem | HR/Ncmsc |
in-gold | in fine gold | in fine gold |
H3800-01 |
Job 28:19 | בְּ/כֶ֥תֶם | bekhetem | HR/Ncmsa |
in gold | in fine gold | in fine gold |
H3800-06 |
Job 31:24 | וְ֝/לַ/כֶּ֗תֶם | velaketem | HC/Rd/Ncmsa |
or to fine gold | and to the fine gold | and to the fine gold |
H3800-03 |
Song of Songs 5:11 | כֶּ֣תֶם | ketem | HNcmsc |
pure gold | fine gold of | fine gold |
H3800-02 |
Lamentations 4:1 | הַ/כֶּ֣תֶם | haketem | HTd/Ncmsa |
the fine gold | the refined gold | the refined gold |
H3800-01 |
Daniel 10:5 | בְּ/כֶ֥תֶם | bekhetem | HR/Ncmsc |
with | in fine gold | in fine gold |