← H4384 H4386 →

מִכְתָּב

𐤌𐤊𐤕𐤁

miktâb

H4385 noun

SILEX Entry

Root כתב to write, to inscribe, to record

Definition

A written document or message; the act or product of writing, emphasizing the material or tangible aspect of recorded communication. Denotes a physical writing—such as a letter, copy, official decree, or other document—rather than the abstract act of writing itself. It can refer to the text, inscription, or content of a document in either formal or informal communication.

Semantic Range

writing, document, letter, note, inscription, official message, written communication, copy, decree

Root / Etymology

Derived from the root כתב (k-t-v), meaning 'to write, inscribe.' The noun מִכְתָּב is formed with the מ prefix, generally indicating the product or result (i.e., 'that which is written'), emphasizing the physical result or artifact of writing.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In biblical usage, מִכְתָּב often refers to letters exchanged between individuals or groups, decrees issued by royal or administrative authorities, and other physical writings or inscriptions. During the monarchic and later periods, the term is prominently used for official correspondence or communications between courts and regions. Unlike the more general term סֵפֶר (sefer, 'scroll' or 'book'), מִכְתָּב usually indicates a shorter document—such as a personal letter or official missive—rather than a literary or longer written work. In post-exilic contexts, it continues to denote official correspondence (e.g., letters to and from Persian officials in Ezra and Nehemiah). The English translations 'writing,' 'letter,' or 'document' may not always distinguish the formal, personal, or governmental aspect evident in the Hebrew. The meaning remained generally stable across Israelite and Persian periods, but later Judaean literature sometimes adopted Greek loanwords for official correspondence. The Jewish tradition sometimes employs מכתב in a poetic sense for scriptural or prophetic writings, but its primary sense remains material and documentary.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from כָּתַב; a thing written, the characters, or a document (letter, copy, edict, poem); writing.

Bantu Hebrew

No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.

+ Add Bantu Hebrew Word

Root Family

כתב (k-t-v) — to write, to inscribe, to record

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H3789 כָּתַב in the written ones
H3790 כְּתַב Write!
H3791 כָּתָב in a written document
H3792 כְּתָב the written record
H3793 כְּתֹבֶת and inscribed-mark of

Word Forms

5 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H4385-03 מִכְתַּ֤ב mikhetav HNcmsc writing written document of 4
H4385-01 בְּ/מִכְתָּ֖ב bemikhetav HR/Ncmsa in writing in a written document 2
H4385-04 וּ/בְ/מִכְתַּ֖ב uvemikhetav HC/R/Ncmsc and according to the writing and in the written-document of 1
H4385-05 וְ/הַ/מִּכְתָּ֗ב vehamikhetav HC/Td/Ncmsa and-the-writing and the written document 1
H4385-02 כַּ/מִּכְתָּ֣ב kamikhetav HRd/Ncmsa according to the writing as the written document 1

Occurrences in Scripture

9 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H4385-05 Exodus 32:16 וְ/הַ/מִּכְתָּ֗ב vehamikhetav HC/Td/Ncmsa and-the-writing and the written document
H4385-03 Exodus 32:16 מִכְתַּ֤ב mikhetav HNcmsc writing written document of
H4385-03 Exodus 39:30 מִכְתַּב֙ mikhetav HNcmsc writing written document of
H4385-02 Deuteronomy 10:4 כַּ/מִּכְתָּ֣ב kamikhetav HRd/Ncmsa according to the writing as the written document
H4385-03 Isaiah 38:9 מִכְתָּ֖ב mikhetav HNcmsa The writing written document of
H4385-01 Ezra 1:1 בְּ/מִכְתָּ֖ב bemikhetav HR/Ncmsa in writing in a written document
H4385-03 2 Chronicles 21:12 מִכְתָּ֔ב mikhetav HNcmsa a letter written document of
H4385-04 2 Chronicles 35:4 וּ/בְ/מִכְתַּ֖ב uvemikhetav HC/R/Ncmsc and according to the writing and in the written-document of
H4385-01 2 Chronicles 36:22 בְּ/מִכְתָּ֖ב bemikhetav HR/Ncmsa in writing in a written document
← H4384 Hebrew Lexicon H4386 →