מֵיטָב (me.tav)
me.tav
best
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 4 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun meṭav, translated as "the best," functions as a superlative descriptor for quality or value. It appears in only four verses of the Old Testament, primarily within Genesis and 1 Samuel. In these contexts, the word identifies items that are superior to others, marking them as the finest available rather than merely good.
This term is not used for abstract virtues but for tangible goods. For instance, Jacob offers his "best" livestock to Esau (Genesis 32:13), and Saul presents the "best" of the sheep to Samuel (1 Samuel 15:15). The word emphasizes a selection process where the highest standard is chosen from a larger group.
Its root likely relates to standing or remaining, suggesting what endures as the finest. Translators consistently render it as "the best" or "choice," avoiding vague terms like "excellent." This precision highlights that biblical generosity often involves giving up one's most valuable possessions, not just surplus items.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
When we think about generosity, it is easy to settle for what is left over. The Hebrew word meṭav challenges this instinct by pointing to the very best of what we have. In Genesis, Joseph ensures his family settles in the finest part of Egypt, showing that God’s provision often includes the highest quality, not just survival. This word reminds us that excellence is part of how we receive and share blessings.
Yet the story in 1 Samuel offers a sobering counterpoint. Saul claimed to offer the meṭav—the best sheep—to God, yet he had disobeyed clear instructions about what should be destroyed. His mistake was not that he gave poorly, but that he tried to use his finest possessions to cover disobedience. True worship requires both our best offerings and our willing hearts.
This tension invites us to examine where we place our value. Are we holding back the good for ourselves while offering God the rest? Or are we trusting Him enough to give what matters most? The answer lies not in the object itself, but in the posture of our obedience and love.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 4 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- in/ [the] best of2×
- [the] best of2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מֵיטַ֤ב1×
- מֵיטַ֣ב1×
- בְּ/מֵיטַ֥ב1×
- בְּ/מֵיטַ֣ב1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 47:6
The land of Egypt is before you. Make your father and your brothers dwell in the best of the land. Let them dwell in the land of Goshen. If you know any able men among them, then put them in charge of my livestock.”
This verse shows meṭav used positively to describe God’s provision, as Pharaoh offers the finest land for Jacob’s family.
-
I Samuel 15:9
But Saul and the people spared Agag and the best of the sheep, of the cattle, of the fat calves, of the lambs, and all that was good, and were not willing to utterly destroy them; but everything that was vile and refuse, that they destroyed utterly.
Here the word highlights Saul’s selective obedience, where he kept the best animals despite a command to destroy everything.
-
I Samuel 15:15
Saul said, “They have brought them from the Amalekites; for the people spared the best of the sheep and of the cattle, to sacrifice to Yahweh your God. We have utterly destroyed the rest.”
Saul uses this term to justify his actions, claiming he spared the finest livestock specifically for sacrifice to God.