Hebrew Nuggets, Lesson 27: ta·NAK (Part 3)

Revised: 5-Oct.-2015

The third of the Jewish Bible’s three divisions is known as כְּתוּבִים (ke·tu·VIM, “Writings,” “Hagiographa”). The first letter in כְּתוּבִים (ke·tu·VIM), the כּ (kaf), is a new letter. It is pronounced like the “k” in “kite,” but is never silent like the “k” in “knit.” It is the eleventh letter of the Hebrew alphabet and its numerical value is 20. In the system of transliteration used in “Hebrew Nuggets,” the kaf is represented by “k.”

The singular form of כְּתוּבִים (ke·tu·VIM) is כָּתוּב (ka·TUV), which literally means “written” or “written down.” Derived from this is a second meaning that came into use around the time of Jesus: “a verse or saying from the Bible.”