Lexicon
טוֹב
tov
H2896B
H:N-M Hebrew

good

90
Occurrences
18
Books
Hebrew
Language

tov describes beneficial well-being, ethical rightness set against evil, and desirable quality or favorable content.

The attested uses most often concern benefit, well-being, or a favorable outcome: what God gives, what people seek or receive, and what is hoped for. The same masculine singular absolute form also marks ethical rightness in explicit contrast with evil, and it can describe desirable quality in food, valuable possessions, wisdom, or a favorable report.

Senses in use

  1. Benefit, well-being, and favorable outcome · dominant

    The masculine singular absolute form occurs for what is for a person's benefit or what God gives and does. In Deuteronomy 10:13 the APB renders the purpose of the commandments as “for your good,” while Deuteronomy 26:11 speaks of rejoicing in what God has given; Jeremiah 32:39 extends this benefit to the people and their children.

  2. Ethical rightness contrasted with evil · common

    The masculine singular absolute form appears in clauses that oppose this term to evil and call for a choice or response. In Amos 5:14 the APB renders the command “Seek good and not evil,” and Amos 5:15 joins loving it with establishing justice; Genesis 2:17 and Isaiah 5:20 likewise set the two terms in contrast.

  3. Desirable quality or favorable content · occasional

    The masculine singular absolute form can characterize items or reports as desirable, valuable, or favorable. In Genesis 2:9 the APB renders trees as “good for food”; in 1 Samuel 15:9 it describes the livestock spared as “the best”; and in 1 Kings 1:42 it occurs in the announcement that Jonathan brings.

In the Anselm Project Bible: The APB often presents the term with “good,” especially in contrasts with evil, but also uses “best,” “prosperity,” and descriptions of favorable outcomes. Because the APB is a whole-verse translation, these renderings show the verse contexts rather than a fixed English equivalent for every occurrence.

Passages featuring this word

Across Scripture