(Aramaic) corresponding to כָּתָב; {something written, i.e. a writing, record or book}; prescribing, writing(-ten).
Transliteration:kᵉthâb
Pronunciation:keth-awb'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Aramaic term `{{H3792}}` (kᵉthâb), derived from the root meaning "to write," denotes "something written." Its semantic range is broad, encompassing various forms of written communication and record-keeping. It can refer to a "writing" in general, a specific "record," an official "document," a "letter," or even a "book." The base definition explicitly notes its correspondence to the Hebrew term `{{H3791}}` (kâthâb), which carries a similar meaning. Fundamentally, `{{H3792}}` conveys the idea of information inscribed and preserved, often carrying authority or legal weight, hence the nuance of "prescribing" or "that which is written" as a directive.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term `{{H3792}}` appears exclusively in the Aramaic portions of the books of Ezra and Daniel, where it consistently refers to various forms of written communication, often with significant legal or administrative implications.
In Ezra, `{{H3792}}` frequently denotes official correspondence or decrees:
* In [[Ezra 4:7]], [[Ezra 4:8]], and [[Ezra 4:11]], it refers to the "letter" (or "copy of the letter") sent by the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin to King Artaxerxes, accusing the Jews of rebellion. This highlights its use for formal, official communication.
* [[Ezra 4:23]] uses it for the "copy of King Artaxerxes' letter," which contained the royal command to halt the rebuilding of the temple. Here, `{{H3792}}` signifies a binding royal decree.
* In [[Ezra 6:2]], it describes the "scroll" or "record" found in Ecbatana, containing the decree of King Cyrus regarding the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem. This usage emphasizes a written historical or legal record.
In Daniel, `{{H3792}}` takes on a more dramatic and even eschatological significance:
* Most prominently, in [[Daniel 5:7]], [[Daniel 5:8]], [[Daniel 5:15]], [[Daniel 5:16]], [[Daniel 5:17]], and [[Daniel 5:24]], it refers to the mysterious "writing" that appeared on the wall during Belshazzar's feast (Mene, Mene, Tekel, Upharsin). Here, `{{H3792}}` represents a divine, revelatory message, inscrutable to human wisdom but interpreted by Daniel. This "writing" carries immediate judgment and prophetic weight.
* In [[Daniel 6:8]], [[Daniel 6:10]], [[Daniel 6:12]], and [[Daniel 6:13]], `{{H3792}}` refers to the "writing of the decree" or the "decree" itself, signed by King Darius, which forbade petitioning any god or man except the king for thirty days. This again underscores its meaning as a binding, official edict.
* Perhaps most profoundly, [[Daniel 7:10]] states, "the books were opened." Here, `{{H3792}}` (in its plural form) refers to divine "books" or "records" that are opened during the heavenly judgment scene. These are not human writings but celestial registers, implying God's meticulous record-keeping of human deeds and destinies.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related term is its Hebrew counterpart, `{{H3791}}` (kâthâb), which also means "something written" or "a writing." Both words derive from the common Semitic root *k-t-b*, meaning "to write." The verbal form, `{{H3789}}` (kâthab), "to write," is foundational to understanding the noun.
Beyond direct lexical parallels, `{{H3792}}` is conceptually linked to:
* **Authority and Decree:** The use of `{{H3792}}` for royal decrees and official letters highlights the power inherent in written commands.
* **Record-Keeping:** Whether human historical records (Ezra) or divine registers (Daniel 7), the word speaks to the permanence and reliability of written documentation.
* **Divine Revelation and Judgment:** In Daniel 5, the "writing" is a direct message from God, leading to immediate judgment. In Daniel 7, the "books" represent the basis for divine judgment. This connects `{{H3792}}` to the broader concept of God's revealed will and His justice.
* **Covenant and Law:** While not directly used for the Mosaic Law, the concept of a "written" covenant or law is intrinsically linked, as written documents provide the enduring standard for obedience and accountability.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of `{{H3792}}` is profound, particularly in its depiction of divine activity and human accountability.
1. **The Authority of the Written Word:** The consistent use of `{{H3792}}` for official decrees underscores the binding nature of that which is committed to writing. This resonates with the broader biblical emphasis on the authority of God's written Word, the Scriptures themselves, which serve as His authoritative revelation to humanity.
2. **Divine Record-Keeping and Judgment:** The "writing on the wall" in Daniel 5 and the "books" opened in Daniel 7:10 are powerful metaphors for God's omniscience and His meticulous record of human actions. These passages convey the truth that nothing escapes God's notice, and a day of reckoning, based on these divine records, awaits all. This concept reinforces God's justice and sovereignty.
3. **Permanence and Reliability:** Unlike fleeting words, that which is written endures. This quality of `{{H3792}}` speaks to the eternal nature of God's decrees and judgments. His word, once written, stands forever.
4. **Revelation and Interpretation:** The inability of human wisdom to interpret the divine writing in Daniel 5, contrasted with Daniel's Spirit-empowered understanding, highlights the necessity of divine revelation and spiritual insight to comprehend God's messages.
### Summary
`{{H3792}}` (kᵉthâb) is an Aramaic term referring to "something written," encompassing a wide range of written forms such as letters, records, decrees, and books. Its occurrences in Ezra primarily denote official human correspondence and administrative records, emphasizing the authority and permanence of written commands. In Daniel, the word takes on a deeper theological resonance, referring to a mysterious divine message of judgment (the writing on the wall) and, most significantly, to the celestial "books" that serve as divine records for judgment. The study of `{{H3792}}` thus underscores the biblical emphasis on the authority of written decrees, both human and divine, the meticulous nature of God's record-keeping, and the ultimate accountability of humanity before the divine standard.
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