2895. tob
Lexical Summary
tob: Good, pleasant, agreeable, beneficial

Original Word: טוֹב
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: towb
Pronunciation: tove
Phonetic Spelling: (tobe)
NASB: well, good, pleases, merry, did well, please, any
Word Origin: [a primitive root, to be (transitively, do or make) good (or well) in the widest sense]

1. be (do) better, cheer, be (do, seem) good, (make) goodly, X please, (be, do, go, play) well

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
be do better, cheer, be do, seem good, make goodly, please, be, do,

A primitive root, to be (transitively, do or make) good (or well) in the widest sense -- be (do) better, cheer, be (do, seem) good, (make) goodly, X please, (be, do, go, play) well.

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
a prim. root
Definition
to be pleasing or good
NASB Translation
any (1), did well (2), done well (1), fair (1), go well (1), good (1), good (5), high (1), merry (3), please (2), pleased* (2), pleases (4), pleases* (2), pleasing (1), well (8), well-off (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
I. טוֺב verb pleasing, good (Late Hebrew id., Hiph`il; also derivatives; Arabic , medial , be pleasant, delightful, delicious, sweet or savoury in taste or odour, be pure and clean, cheerful, gleeful (Lane); Aramaic , , טְאֵב, טַב, טַיֵּב and especially derivatives glad, joyful; Assyrian ‰âbu, be good, kind, acceptable, joyful, vigorous DlHWB 299) —

Qal Perfect טוֺב Numbers 11:18 32t.; plural טֹבוּ Numbers 24:5; Songs 4:10; (Imperfect יִיטַב from יָטַב); Infinitive absolute טוֺב Judges 11:25; construct טוֺב Jeremiah 32:39 6t., כְּטוֺב Judges 16:25 Qr (Kt כי טוב); Participle טוֺב Judges 11:25; 1 Samuel 2:26; (for these forms see Bö§ 1133, 4 SS under the word; Ges recognizes only Perfects and fewer of them than above. It is often difficult to decide between verb and adjective ); —

1 be pleasant, delightful, of tents of Jacob Numbers 24:5 (J E; poetry); of caresses Songs 4:10 (followed by מִיַּיִן compare)

2 be glad, joyful טוֺב לֵב Judges 16:25 (Qr), 1 Samuel 25:36; 2 Samuel 13:28; Esther 1:10 (see טוּב 2c).

3 of rank, position, claim: הֲטוֺב טוֺב אתה מבלק Judges 11:25 art thou really better than Balak?

4 טוֺב לְ be well with, good for Numbers 11:18 (J), Deuteronomy 5:30; Deuteronomy 15:16; Deuteronomy 19:13; 1 Samuel 16:16,23; 2 Samuel 14:32; Psalm 119:71; Psalm 128:2; Jeremiah 22:15; so (that is לוֺ) Isaiah 3:10 it is well (with him); אז טוב Jeremiah 22:16 (compare Jeremiah 22:15); טוֺב אֶלֿ 1 Samuel 20:12 there is good toward David

5 be pleasing טוֺב בְּעֵינֵי (see II. טוֺב 2b c f) Numbers 24:1 (J) 2 Samuel 3:19,36; 2 Samuel 15:26; 2 Samuel 19:38; אִם טוֺב בְּעֵינֵי 1 Kings 21:2; Jeremiah 40:4,4; Zechariah 11:12; later usage is אִם טוֺב עַל if it seem good unto (so Assyrian ‰âbu eli, be pleasing unto, DlHWB 300 a), 1 Chronicles 13:2; Nehemiah 2:5,7; Esther 1:19; Esther 3:9; Esther 5:4,8; Esther 7:3; Esther 8:5; Esther 9:13 (compare טוֺב adjective ).

Hiph`il Perfect2masculine singular הֱטִיבוֺתָ2Chronicles 6:8, הֱטִיבֹתָ 1 Kings 8:18; 2 Kings 10:30; — do well, act right, followed by כִּי that 1 Kings 8:18 thou didst well, that it was in thine heart = 2 Chronicles 6:8; followed by infinitive with לְ 2 Kings 10:30 thou hast done well in performing what was right in mine eyes.

Topical Lexicon
General Overview

The Hebrew adjective טוֹב (Strong’s 2895) gathers a full spectrum of “goodness”: moral excellence, pleasantness, beauty, benefit, prosperity, and what is fitting or pleasing. The word is found in legal codes, narrative, poetry, prophecy, and wisdom, showing that “good” is not an abstract ideal but a lived reality within covenant life.

Goodness as the Essence of God

Psalm 119:68 anchors the term in divine character: “You are good, and You do what is good; teach me Your statutes”. God’s own nature defines what is good; therefore the law, salvation history, and ethical commands are all expressions of His goodness.

Goodness as Divine Pleasure and Approval

Numbers 24:1 shows that what is “good” to the LORD sets the agenda for blessing: “When Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel…”. In royal courts the same nuance appears in the refrain “If it pleases the king” (Nehemiah 2:5; Esther 1:19; Esther 5:4; Esther 7:3), illustrating that טוֹב speaks of satisfaction and consent. Human plans succeed when aligned with a higher authority’s pleasure, foreshadowing the believer’s call to seek the will of God (compare Romans 12:2).

Goodness as Moral Rectitude

Judges 9:16 appeals to the Shechemite conscience: “If you have acted honestly and uprightly…”. Jehu’s zeal is commended with the same adjective: “Because you have done well in carrying out what is right in My sight” (2 Kings 10:30). Here טוֹב marks deeds that conform to God’s standards, not merely pragmatic success.

Goodness and Covenant Well-Being

Deuteronomy 5:33 links obedience to life and prosperity: “Walk in all the way that the LORD your God has commanded you, so that you may live and prosper…”. Jeremiah 32:41 expands the promise after exile: “I will rejoice in doing them good and will faithfully plant them in this land with all My heart and soul”. Ezekiel 36:11 echoes, “I will treat you better than at first,” assuring restoration that surpasses former blessings.

Goodness in Worship and Temple Vision

David’s desire to build the temple is praised twice: “You did well to have it in your heart to build a house for My Name” (1 Kings 8:18; 2 Chronicles 6:8). The word celebrates motives that honor God, even when the task itself is delegated to another (Solomon). Likewise, 1 Chronicles 13:2 uses טוֹב to test community consensus before bringing the ark to Jerusalem, showing that corporate worship must be anchored in what is “good” before God and His people alike.

Goodness in Leadership and Governance

Nehemiah’s petitions (Nehemiah 2:5–7) and Esther’s diplomatic phrasing demonstrate how הטוב frames political decisions within a moral horizon. The good of a people—and of the vulnerable, such as the Jews threatened by Haman—depends on just rulers whose edicts align with God’s overarching purposes.

Goodness in Personal Relationships and Household Life

Deuteronomy 15:16 describes a bond-servant remaining because “he loves you and your household and is well off with you.” 1 Samuel 16:16, 23 reports that David’s harp made Saul “well,” revealing goodness as restorative. Song of Songs 4:10 celebrates marital affection: “How much better is your love than wine,” where טוֹב captures the surpassing delight of covenant love.

Goodness in Prophetic Appeal and Eschatology

Ezekiel 33:32 compares the prophet to “one who has a beautiful voice.” The message sounds pleasant, yet genuine goodness demands obedience, not mere admiration. Ultimately, the prophets envision a future where the land and its people are “better than at first” (Ezekiel 36:11), fulfilled in the messianic kingdom where God’s goodness is universally acknowledged.

Goodness in Prayer and Wisdom

Psalm 125:4 cries, “Do good, O LORD, to those who are good, to the upright in heart.” The psalmist assumes that God’s goodness is both the standard and the reward for faithfulness. Wisdom literature thus invites believers to align heart, speech, and action with divine goodness.

Ministry Implications

1. Proclaim God’s unchanging goodness as the ground of hope in trial and restoration.
2. Evaluate plans and motives by whether they are “pleasing” to the Lord, not merely expedient.
3. Model leadership that seeks the good of others, reflecting the kingly refrain “If it pleases…” but oriented toward the true King.
4. Foster worship that springs from good intention and communal affirmation, as with David and the ark.
5. Encourage believers to expect and pursue tangible expressions of goodness—healing, justice, covenant love—while awaiting the consummate “better than at first” promised in Christ.

From Genesis onward, Scripture’s witness is unanimous: what God calls good is both desirable and trustworthy. Those who treasure His statutes, walk in His ways, and seek His pleasure participate in the rich tapestry of טוֹב that stretches from Eden to the New Jerusalem.

Forms and Transliterations
הֱ‍ֽטִיב֔וֹתָ הֱטִיבֹ֔תָ הֱטִיבֹ֙תָ֙ הֵיטִ֣יבָה ה‍טיבות הטיבת היטיבה וְהֵטִֽבֹתִי֙ וְט֣וֹב וְט֥וֹב וּמֵטִ֗יב וּמֵטִ֣ב והטבתי וטוב ומטב ומטיב ט֑וֹב ט֔וֹב ט֗וֹב ט֜וֹב ט֞וֹב ט֥וֹב טֹּ֤בוּ טֹּ֥בוּ טבו טוֹבָ֤ה טוב טובה לְהֵטִ֣יב להטיב hê·ṭî·ḇāh hĕ·ṭî·ḇō·ṯā heiTivah hĕṭî·ḇō·w·ṯā hêṭîḇāh hĕṭîḇōṯā hĕṭîḇōwṯā hetiVota lə·hê·ṭîḇ ləhêṭîḇ leheTiv ṭō·ḇū ṭō·w·ḇāh ṭō·wḇ ṭōḇū Tou Tov toVah ṭōwḇ ṭōwḇāh ū·mê·ṭiḇ ū·mê·ṭîḇ ūmêṭiḇ ūmêṭîḇ umeTiv vehetivoTi veTov wə·hê·ṭi·ḇō·ṯî wə·ṭō·wḇ wəhêṭiḇōṯî wəṭōwḇ
Links
Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Numbers 11:18
HEB: בָּשָׂ֔ר כִּי־ ט֥וֹב לָ֖נוּ בְּמִצְרָ֑יִם
NAS: to eat! For we were well-off in Egypt.
KJV: to eat? for [it was] well with us in Egypt:
INT: meat for were well-off Egypt will give

Numbers 24:1
HEB: בִּלְעָ֗ם כִּ֣י ט֞וֹב בְּעֵינֵ֤י יְהוָה֙
NAS: saw that it pleased the LORD
INT: Balaam for be better affliction the LORD

Numbers 24:5
HEB: מַה־ טֹּ֥בוּ אֹהָלֶ֖יךָ יַעֲקֹ֑ב
NAS: How fair are your tents, O Jacob,
KJV: How goodly are thy tents, O Jacob,
INT: How fair are your tents Jacob

Deuteronomy 5:33
HEB: לְמַ֤עַן תִּֽחְיוּן֙ וְט֣וֹב לָכֶ֔ם וְהַאֲרַכְתֶּ֣ם
NAS: you, that you may live and that it may be well with you, and that you may prolong
KJV: you, that ye may live, and [that it may be] well with you, and [that] ye may prolong
INT: that you may live may be well may prolong days

Deuteronomy 15:16
HEB: בֵּיתֶ֔ךָ כִּי־ ט֥וֹב ל֖וֹ עִמָּֽךְ׃
NAS: since he fares well with you;
KJV: thee and thine house, because he is well with thee;
INT: and your household since well you

Judges 9:16
HEB: אֲבִימֶ֑לֶךְ וְאִם־ טוֹבָ֤ה עֲשִׂיתֶם֙ עִם־
INT: Abimelech and if be better have dealt with

1 Samuel 16:16
HEB: וְנִגֵּ֥ן בְּיָד֖וֹ וְט֥וֹב לָֽךְ׃ פ
NAS: [the harp] with his hand, and you will be well.
KJV: with his hand, and thou shalt be well.
INT: shall play his hand will be well

1 Samuel 16:23
HEB: וְרָוַ֤ח לְשָׁאוּל֙ וְט֣וֹב ל֔וֹ וְסָ֥רָה
NAS: would be refreshed and be well, and the evil
KJV: was refreshed, and was well, and the evil
INT: would be refreshed and Saul and be well depart and

1 Kings 8:18
HEB: בַּ֖יִת לִשְׁמִ֑י הֱטִיבֹ֔תָ כִּ֥י הָיָ֖ה
NAS: for My name, you did well that it was in your heart.
KJV: unto my name, thou didst well that it was in thine heart.
INT: A house my name did for become

2 Kings 10:30
HEB: יַ֤עַן אֲשֶׁר־ הֱטִיבֹ֙תָ֙ לַעֲשׂ֤וֹת הַיָּשָׁר֙
NAS: Because you have done well in executing
KJV: unto Jehu, Because thou hast done well in executing
INT: because you have done executing what

1 Chronicles 13:2
HEB: אִם־ עֲלֵיכֶ֨ם ט֜וֹב וּמִן־ יְהוָ֣ה
NAS: If it seems good to you, and if it is from the LORD
KJV: of Israel, If [it seem] good unto you, and [that it be] of the LORD
INT: If seems good is from the LORD

2 Chronicles 6:8
HEB: בַּ֖יִת לִשְׁמִ֑י הֱ‍ֽטִיב֔וֹתָ כִּ֥י הָיָ֖ה
NAS: for My name, you did well that it was in your heart.
KJV: for my name, thou didst well in that it was in thine heart:
INT: A house my name did for become

Nehemiah 2:5
HEB: עַל־ הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ ט֔וֹב וְאִם־ יִיטַ֥ב
NAS: If it please the king,
KJV: unto the king, If it please the king,
INT: and the king please and if has found

Nehemiah 2:7
HEB: עַל־ הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ ט֔וֹב אִגְּרוֹת֙ יִתְּנוּ־
NAS: If it please the king,
KJV: unto the king, If it please the king,
INT: and the king please letters be given

Esther 1:19
HEB: עַל־ הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ ט֗וֹב יֵצֵ֤א דְבַר־
NAS: If it pleases the king, let a royal
KJV: If it please the king, let there go
INT: and the king pleases be issued edict

Esther 3:9
HEB: עַל־ הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ ט֔וֹב יִכָּתֵ֖ב לְאַבְּדָ֑ם
NAS: If it is pleasing to the king,
KJV: If it please the king,
INT: unto the king is pleasing it be decreed they be destroyed

Esther 5:4
HEB: עַל־ הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ ט֑וֹב יָב֨וֹא הַמֶּ֤לֶךְ
NAS: If it pleases the king,
KJV: answered, If [it seem] good unto the king,
INT: and the king pleases come may the king

Esther 5:8
HEB: עַל־ הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ ט֔וֹב לָתֵת֙ אֶת־
NAS: and if it pleases the king
KJV: of the king, and if it please the king
INT: and the king pleases to grant my petition

Esther 7:3
HEB: עַל־ הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ ט֑וֹב תִּנָּֽתֶן־ לִ֤י
NAS: and if it pleases the king,
KJV: O king, and if it please the king,
INT: and the king pleases be given my life

Psalm 119:68
HEB: טוֹב־ אַתָּ֥ה וּמֵטִ֗יב לַמְּדֵ֥נִי חֻקֶּֽיךָ׃
KJV: Thou [art] good, and doest good; teach
INT: are good and doest good Teach your statutes

Psalm 125:4
HEB: הֵיטִ֣יבָה יְ֭הוָה לַטּוֹבִ֑ים
KJV: Do good, O LORD,
INT: good LORD who

Songs 4:10
HEB: כַלָּ֑ה מַה־ טֹּ֤בוּ דֹדַ֙יִךְ֙ מִיַּ֔יִן
KJV: [my] spouse! how much better is thy love
INT: bride How better is your love wine

Jeremiah 32:41
HEB: וְשַׂשְׂתִּ֥י עֲלֵיהֶ֖ם לְהֵטִ֣יב אוֹתָ֑ם וּנְטַעְתִּ֞ים
KJV: Yea, I will rejoice over them to do them good, and I will plant
INT: will rejoice over good plant land

Ezekiel 33:32
HEB: יְפֵ֥ה ק֖וֹל וּמֵטִ֣ב נַגֵּ֑ן וְשָֽׁמְעוּ֙
KJV: voice, and can play well on an instrument:
INT: beautiful voice well and plays hear

Ezekiel 36:11
HEB: אֶתְכֶ֜ם כְּקַדְמֽוֹתֵיכֶ֗ם וְהֵטִֽבֹתִי֙ מֵרִאשֹׁ֣תֵיכֶ֔ם וִֽידַעְתֶּ֖ם
KJV: you after your old estates, and will do better [unto you] than at your beginnings:
INT: to be inhabited were formerly better the first will know

25 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 2895
25 Occurrences


hê·ṭî·ḇāh — 1 Occ.
hĕ·ṭî·ḇō·ṯā — 3 Occ.
lə·hê·ṭîḇ — 1 Occ.
ṭō·ḇū — 2 Occ.
ṭō·wḇ — 11 Occ.
ṭō·w·ḇāh — 1 Occ.
ū·mê·ṭîḇ — 2 Occ.
wə·hê·ṭi·ḇō·ṯî — 1 Occ.
wə·ṭō·wḇ — 3 Occ.

2894
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