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טוֹב (tov)

tov

pleasant; good; welfare

H2896 · Hebrew · Old Testament · 452 verses

H:A

Quick Reference

Language
Biblical Hebrew
Testament
Old Testament
Occurrences
452 verses
Root
—
Part of speech
H:A

Word Overview

The Hebrew word tov describes something that is good, pleasant, or agreeable. It covers a wide range of experiences, from sensory pleasure to moral rightness. In Genesis, God looks at creation and calls it good, indicating that things are excellent and fit for their purpose. The term also applies to human well-being, suggesting prosperity, happiness, and welfare.

Its meaning shifts with context. It can describe food that tastes pleasant or a decision that is ethically right. In Proverbs, it often refers to practical wisdom that leads to a good life. The word implies value and benefit, pointing toward what is truly good for a person’s whole nature, not just their immediate desires.

Translators usually render tov as "good," but this simple English word can feel flat. The Hebrew carries more weight, suggesting richness and appropriateness. It is the standard for evaluating life’s circumstances, marking the difference between what is merely present and what is truly beneficial.

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 carries a richness that English often flattens into a simple "good." It describes what is pleasant to the senses, beneficial for life, and right in character. When Genesis records God calling creation good, it signals that everything fits its purpose perfectly. This standard invites us to look at our own lives with similar clarity, seeking what truly nourishes our spirit rather than what merely passes the time.

In daily experience, tov points toward welfare and peace. It is the quiet satisfaction of a meal shared in safety or the relief of resolving a conflict. Proverbs frequently links this goodness to wisdom, suggesting that choices aligned with truth lead to a stable and fulfilling life. We can trust that God desires our well-being, offering guidance that leads to genuine flourishing.

Reflecting on this word helps us discern between temporary pleasure and lasting good. It encourages a posture of gratitude for the blessings we already hold while guiding our decisions toward what endures. May you find peace in recognizing the goodness present in your journey and wisdom in choosing paths that honor God.

How it's translated

How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 452 verses where it appears, by frequency.

  • good144×
  • [is] good95×
  • <the>/ good49×
  • the/ good35×
  • for/ good19×
  • and/ good14×
  • [are] good12×
  • good thing[s]7×
  • [was] good7×
  • and/ good of6×
  • [was] good of6×
  • according to the/ good5×

Forms in the text

The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.

  • ט֣וֹב30×
  • ט֑וֹב30×
  • ט֥וֹב27×
  • ט֖וֹב23×
  • ט֔וֹב22×
  • טֽוֹב\׃16×
  • הַ/טּוֹבָ֔ה13×
  • ט֤וֹב10×
  • ט֗וֹב10×
  • טוֹב\־7×
  • טֽוֹב\־7×
  • ט֭וֹב7×

Key Verses

  • Genesis 1:31
    God saw everything that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. There was evening and there was morning, a sixth day.

    This verse establishes the divine standard for creation, showing that tov means things are excellent and perfectly fit for their intended purpose.

  • Genesis 2:18
    Yahweh God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make him a helper comparable to him.”

    Here the word highlights human welfare, indicating that isolation is contrary to God's design for our complete well-being.

  • Genesis 3:6
    When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took some of its fruit, and ate. Then she gave some to her husband with her, and he ate it, too.

    The narrative uses this term to describe sensory appeal, illustrating how perceived goodness can sometimes distract from deeper spiritual truth.

  • Genesis 25:8
    Abraham gave up his spirit, and died at a good old age, an old man, and full of years, and was gathered to his people.

    This occurrence connects the word to a life well-lived, associating it with peace and the natural completion of one's days.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Hebrew word tov mean?

Tov describes something as good, pleasant, or beneficial. It covers moral rightness, sensory pleasure, and overall welfare. The term indicates that something is excellent and fits its purpose well.

How is tov different from other Hebrew words for good?

While other terms might focus on specific aspects like justice or beauty, tov is a broad term for general goodness and benefit. It often implies that something is agreeable or useful in a practical sense.

Where does this word appear most frequently?

It appears over 450 times in the Hebrew Bible. You will find it often in Genesis describing creation and in Proverbs linking wisdom to a good life.

Every Occurrence (452 verses across 32 books)

Genesis 32 verses
Genesis 1:31

God saw everything that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. There was evening and there was morning, a sixth…

Genesis 2:9

Out of the ground Yahweh God made every tree to grow that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food, including the…

Genesis 2:12

and the gold of that land is good. Bdellium and onyx stone are also there.

Genesis 2:17

but you shall not eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil; for in the day that you eat of it, you will surely…

Genesis 2:18

Yahweh God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make him a helper comparable to him.”

Genesis 3:5

for God knows that in the day you eat it, your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

Genesis 3:6

When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be…

Genesis 3:22

Yahweh God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of us, knowing good and evil. Now, lest he reach out his hand,…

Genesis 6:2

God’s sons saw that men’s daughters were beautiful, and they took any that they wanted for themselves as wives.

Genesis 15:15

but you will go to your fathers in peace. You will be buried at a good old age.

Genesis 16:6

But Abram said to Sarai, “Behold, your maid is in your hand. Do to her whatever is good in your eyes.” Sarai dealt…

Genesis 18:7

Abraham ran to the herd, and fetched a tender and good calf, and gave it to the servant. He hurried to dress it.

Genesis 19:8

See now, I have two virgin daughters. Please let me bring them out to you, and you may do to them what seems good to…

Genesis 20:15

Abimelech said, “Behold, my land is before you. Dwell where it pleases you.”

Genesis 24:16

The young lady was very beautiful to look at, a virgin. No man had known her. She went down to the spring, filled her…

Genesis 24:50

Then Laban and Bethuel answered, “The thing proceeds from Yahweh. We can’t speak to you bad or good.

Genesis 25:8

Abraham gave up his spirit, and died at a good old age, an old man, and full of years, and was gathered to his people.

Genesis 26:7

The men of the place asked him about his wife. He said, “She is my sister,” for he was afraid to say, “My wife”, lest,…

Genesis 26:29

that you will do us no harm, as we have not touched you, and as we have done to you nothing but good, and have sent you…

Genesis 27:9

Go now to the flock and get me two good young goats from there. I will make them savory food for your father, such as…

Genesis 29:19

Laban said, “It is better that I give her to you, than that I should give her to another man. Stay with me.”

Genesis 30:20

Leah said, “God has endowed me with a good dowry. Now my husband will live with me, because I have borne him six sons.”…

Genesis 31:24

God came to Laban the Syrian in a dream of the night, and said to him, “Be careful that you don’t speak to Jacob either…

Genesis 31:29

It is in the power of my hand to hurt you, but the God of your father spoke to me last night, saying, ‘Be careful that…

Genesis 40:16

When the chief baker saw that the interpretation was good, he said to Joseph, “I also was in my dream, and behold,…

Genesis 41:5

He slept and dreamed a second time; and behold, seven heads of grain came up on one stalk, healthy and good.

Genesis 41:22

I saw in my dream, and behold, seven heads of grain came up on one stalk, full and good;

Genesis 41:24

The thin heads of grain swallowed up the seven good heads of grain. I told it to the magicians, but there was no one…

Genesis 41:26

The seven good cattle are seven years; and the seven good heads of grain are seven years. The dream is one.

Genesis 41:35

Let them gather all the food of these good years that come, and store grain under the hand of Pharaoh for food in the…

Genesis 44:4

When they had gone out of the city, and were not yet far off, Joseph said to his steward, “Up, follow after the men.…

Genesis 50:20

As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to save many people alive, as is happening today.

Exodus 5 verses
Leviticus 4 verses
Numbers 7 verses
Deuteronomy 22 verses
Joshua 7 verses
Judges 11 verses
Ruth 3 verses
I Samuel 30 verses
II Samuel 15 verses
I Kings 21 verses
II Kings 10 verses
I Chronicles 8 verses
II Chronicles 19 verses
Ezra 6 verses
Nehemiah 11 verses
Esther 20 verses
Job 12 verses
Psalms 39 verses
Proverbs 62 verses
Ecclesiastes 38 verses
Song of Solomon 2 verses
Isaiah 12 verses
Jeremiah 30 verses
Lamentations 7 verses
Daniel 2 verses
Hosea 3 verses
Amos 4 verses
Jonah 2 verses
Micah 4 verses
Zechariah 3 verses
Malachi 1 verse