טוֹב (tov)
tov
be pleasing
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 38 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb yatab means to be pleasing, beneficial, or well. It appears in contexts ranging from personal health to moral conduct. In 1 Samuel 16:16, it describes David’s ability to soothe Saul’s spirit, showing its use for emotional and physical well-being. The word also signals approval, as when characters say "it is good in my eyes" (Num 24:1), indicating something meets a standard of acceptability.
Its root sense connects to what is agreeable or right. Translators often render it as "do good" or "be well," depending on context. In the Hiphil stem, it carries an active sense of acting rightly, seen in Psalms 119:68 where God is praised for doing good. This verb bridges the gap between subjective pleasure and objective benefit, reflecting a worldview where goodness is experienced as both pleasant and beneficial.
Unlike words that focus solely on moral obligation, yatab emphasizes the positive outcome of actions or states. It appears in Esther to show royal favor and in Proverbs to describe wise living. The term’s flexibility allows it to cover health, approval, and ethical behavior without losing its core idea of what is good for those involved.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word tov describes what is pleasing, beneficial, or right. It bridges the gap between subjective pleasure and objective good. When Genesis records that God saw creation was good, it signals that everything functioned as intended. This goodness is not just a moral label but a state of well-being where things work for our benefit.
In your daily life, this word invites you to recognize the good in ordinary moments. It appears in prayers asking that it may go well with you, linking obedience to peace. You can trust that God’s design aims for your flourishing. Seeking what is good means aligning with His purposes, which leads to a life of stability and joy.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 38 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- it was good7×
- [it was] good6×
- [he is] good4×
- it is good3×
- you did well2×
- they are good2×
- good2×
- and/ it will be good2×
- ¿/ really <good>1×
- you have done well1×
- when/ was good1×
- when/ is good1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ט֑וֹב7×
- טֽוֹב\׃6×
- ט֥וֹב3×
- טוֹב֙2×
- ט֣וֹב2×
- וְ/ט֣וֹב2×
- כְּ/ט֨וֹב1×
- כְּ/ט֥וֹב1×
- כְּ/ט֣וֹב1×
- טֽוֹב\־1×
- טֹּ֥בוּ1×
- טֹּ֤בוּ1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 1:4
God saw the light, and saw that it was good. God divided the light from the darkness.
This verse establishes the foundational meaning of the word as God’s approval of creation's inherent order and goodness.
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Deuteronomy 5:33
You shall walk in all the way which Yahweh your God has commanded you, that you may live and that it may be well with you, and that you may prolong your days in the land which you shall possess.
Here the word connects faithful obedience with tangible well-being, showing that walking in God’s ways leads to a good life.
-
II Kings 10:30
Yahweh said to Jehu, “Because you have done well in executing that which is right in my eyes, and have done to Ahab’s house according to all that was in my heart, your descendants shall sit on the throne of Israel to the fourth generation.”
God uses this term to affirm Jehu’s actions as right in His eyes, linking moral conduct with divine favor and future blessing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Hebrew word tov mean?
How is this word used in Genesis?
Does this word only refer to moral goodness?
Every Occurrence (38 verses across 15 books)
Genesis 7 verses
God saw the light, and saw that it was good. God divided the light from the darkness.
Genesis 1:10God called the dry land “earth”, and the gathering together of the waters he called “seas”. God saw that it was good.
Genesis 1:12The earth yielded grass, herbs yielding seed after their kind, and trees bearing fruit, with their seeds in it, after…
Genesis 1:18and to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness. God saw that it was good.
Genesis 1:21God created the large sea creatures and every living creature that moves, with which the waters swarmed, after their…
Genesis 1:25God made the animals of the earth after their kind, and the livestock after their kind, and everything that creeps on…
Genesis 49:15He saw a resting place, that it was good, the land, that it was pleasant. He bows his shoulder to the burden, and…