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כָּתַר

𐤊𐤕𐤓

kâthar

H3803 verb

SILEX Entry

Root כתר to encircle, surround, enclose, crown

Definition

To surround or encircle something or someone, often with an implication of enclosing for a specific purpose; contexts dictate whether the action is positive (as in bestowing honor or crowning), negative (as in besieging an enemy), or neutral (as in encircling or surrounding in a non-hostile fashion). The word may carry extended meanings such as crowning, adorning, besetting, or restricting action by enclosing.

Semantic Range

to surround, to encircle, to besiege, to crown, to honor, to bestow distinction, to enclose for restraint, to restrict movement

Root / Etymology

From the root כתר, likely conveying the idea of encircling or surrounding. The form כָּתַר derives directly from this root, functioning as a verb meaning 'to encircle' with figurative extensions (e.g., to crown). There is no evidence for borrowing from neighboring languages; it appears securely native to Hebrew.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the Hebrew Bible, כָּתַר typically refers to encircling in both military and honorific contexts. Most frequently, it appears in poetic or prophetic passages (e.g., Job 36:2, Psalm 8:6[5]), where 'to crown' can refer metaphorically to surrounding with honor or privileges. In military terms, it describes besieging a city or enemy (e.g., Nahum 3:18 — a rare use). The crowning meaning (to bestow a crown or honor) is relatively uncommon, with explicit physical crowning usually expressed with עטר (ʿatar), making כָּתַר slightly more abstract or figurative. The semantic range in post-biblical Hebrew expands further, with significant overlap between כָּתַר (to crown) and עטר in later literature. English translations often collapse both the hostile and honorific senses as 'encircle,' 'besiege,' or 'crown,' but context in the Hebrew text makes distinctions clear.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a primitive root; to enclose; hence (in a friendly sense) to crown, (in a hostile one) to besiege; also to wait (as restraining oneself); beset round, compass about, be crowned inclose round, suffer.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

כתר (k-t-r) — encircle, surround, enclose, crown

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H3804 כֶּתֶר in a crown of
H3805 כֹתֶרֶת the crowning capitals

Word Forms

5 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H3803-05 יַכְתִּ֣רוּ yakhetiru HVhi3mp are crowned they will encircle 2
H3803-01 כַּתַּר katar HVpv2ms wait Encircle tightly! 1
H3803-03 כִּתְּרֽוּ/נִי kiteruni HVpp3cp/Sp1cs have enclosed me they have encircled me 1
H3803-02 כִּתְּר֤וּ kiteru HVpp3cp they surrounded they encircled closely 1
H3803-04 מַכְתִּ֣יר makhetir HVhrmsa surrounds one who encircles 1

Occurrences in Scripture

6 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H3803-02 Judges 20:43 כִּתְּר֤וּ kiteru HVpp3cp they surrounded they encircled closely
H3803-04 Habakkuk 1:4 מַכְתִּ֣יר makhetir HVhrmsa surrounds one who encircles
H3803-03 Psalms 22:13 כִּתְּרֽוּ/נִי kiteruni HVpp3cp/Sp1cs have enclosed me they have encircled me
H3803-05 Psalms 142:8 יַכְתִּ֣רוּ yakhetiru HVhi3mp will crown they will encircle
H3803-05 Proverbs 14:18 יַכְתִּ֥רוּ yakhetiru HVhi3mp are crowned they will encircle
H3803-01 Job 36:2 כַּתַּר katar HVpv2ms wait Encircle tightly!
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