Original Word: קָטַל
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: qatal
Pronunciation: kah-TAHL
Phonetic Spelling: (kaw-tal')
Definition: to cut off, put to death
Meaning: To cut off, put to death

Word Origin: A primitive root

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: The Greek equivalent of the Hebrew קָטַל (qatal) is found in Strong's Greek Number G615 • ἀποκτείνω (apokteinō), which also means "to kill" or "to put to death." This Greek term is used in the New Testament in similar contexts, often referring to the act of killing or executing someone, whether in a judicial setting or as part of persecution and martyrdom narratives.

Usage: The verb קָטַל (qatal) is used in the Hebrew Bible to denote the act of killing or putting to death. It is often used in contexts involving judicial execution or acts of violence.

Context: The Hebrew verb קָטַל (qatal) is a primitive root that primarily conveys the action of killing or putting to death. It appears in various forms throughout the Hebrew Scriptures, often in legal or narrative contexts where the act of execution or killing is described. The term is used to express both literal and figurative acts of cutting off life, whether through judicial means or in the context of warfare and personal violence.

In the Old Testament, קָטַל is frequently found in passages that discuss the consequences of breaking the law, where the prescribed punishment is death. For example, in cases of murder or idolatry, the community is instructed to "cut off" the offender from among the people, often implying execution. The term is also used in narratives describing battles or conflicts where individuals or groups are put to death.

The use of קָטַל underscores the seriousness of certain offenses and the ultimate penalty of death as a means of maintaining justice and holiness within the community. It reflects the ancient Near Eastern context where capital punishment was a common legal recourse.

Word Origin
a prim. root
Definition
to slay
NASB Translation
kills (1), slay (2).

[קָטַל] verb slay (in poetry and late) (Arabic Ethiopic Sabean קתל Hom^Chrest.126, all slay (original form with ת; changed later, after ק); Aramaic קְטַל, ; Old Aramaic קטל, כטל, קתל); —

Qal Imperfect with accusative of person, 3 masculine singular יִקְטָלֿ Job 24:14; suffix, subject God, יִקְטְלֵנִי Job 13:15; of God also 2masculine singular תִּקְטֹל Psalm 139:19.

[קְטַל] verb slay (ᵑ7 Syriac (often); see Biblical Hebrew (late, rare)); —

Pe`al Participle active קָטֵל Daniel 5:19, accusative of person

Pe`îl be slain: Perfect3masculine singular קְטִיל Daniel 5:30, 3feminine singular קְטִילַת Daniel 7:11.

Pa`el slay: Perfect3masculine singular קַטִּל Daniel 3:22 (accusative of person); Infinitive לְקַטָּלָה Daniel 2:14 (ל accusative of person).

Hithpe`el be slain: Infinitive לְהִתְקְטָלָה Daniel 2:13; Participle (= gerundive, K^{§ 76, 3}) plural מִתְקַטְלִין Daniel 2:13 were to be slain.

kill, slay

A primitive root; properly, to cut off, i.e. (figuratively) put to death -- kill, slay.

יִ֭קְטְלֵנִי יִֽקְטָל־ יקטל־ יקטלני תִּקְטֹ֖ל תקטל tikTol tiq·ṭōl tiqṭōl Yikteleni yiktol yiq·ṭāl- yiq·ṭə·lê·nî yiqṭāl- yiqṭəlênîInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts