Biblica Analytica

מִכְתָּב

mikh.tav (H4385)

writing

9 verses 5 books OT 8 / NT 0
AI Word Study

# The Hebrew Word מִכְתָּב (miktav): "Writing" The Hebrew word *miktav* denotes written material in its most general sense. Appearing nine times in the biblical text, the term refers to any form of writing—from personal correspondence to official documents. The word's basic meaning encompasses the physical act and product of writing itself, making it a fundamental term for textual communication in ancient Hebrew contexts. Given its limited but consistent presence in Scripture, *miktav* served as a practical designation for written communication across various contexts. The nine occurrences suggest this was a common enough concept to warrant its own specific term, yet not so dominant in biblical vocabulary that it overwhelmed other writing-related terminology. This balance indicates that while writing was important enough to Hebrew speakers to name directly, it was not necessarily their primary focus when discussing documents or messages—suggesting they may have used more specific terms depending on the document's purpose or nature.

AI synthesis uses only provided lexicon data -- never training knowledge.

Exodus 32:16

The tablets were the work of God, and the writing was the writing of God, engraved on the tablets.

Exodus 39:30

They made the plate of the holy crown of pure gold, and wrote on it an inscription, like the engravings of a signet: “HOLY TO YAHWEH”.

Deuteronomy 10:4

He wrote on the tablets, according to the first writing, the ten commandments, which Yahweh spoke to you on the mountain out of the middle of the fire in the day of the assembly; and Yahweh gave them to me.

2 Chronicles 21:12

A letter came to him from Elijah the prophet, saying, “Yahweh, the God of David your father, says, ‘Because you have not walked in the ways of Jehoshaphat your father, nor in the ways of Asa king of Judah,

2 Chronicles 35:4

Prepare yourselves after your fathers’ houses by your divisions, according to the writing of David king of Israel, and according to the writing of Solomon his son.

2 Chronicles 36:22

Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that Yahweh’s word by the mouth of Jeremiah might be accomplished, Yahweh stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying,

Ezra 1:1

Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that Yahweh’s word by Jeremiah’s mouth might be accomplished, Yahweh stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying,

Isaiah 38:9

The writing of Hezekiah king of Judah, when he had been sick, and had recovered of his sickness.