Goodman
Jump to: ISBEWebster'sConcordanceThesaurusGreekLibrarySubtopicsTerms
Topical Encyclopedia
The term "Goodman" is not directly found in the Berean Standard Bible as a specific title or name. However, the concept of a "good man" is deeply rooted in biblical teachings and is often associated with righteousness, integrity, and moral uprightness. In the Scriptures, a good man is one who seeks to live according to God's commandments and reflects His character in daily life.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word often associated with goodness is "tov," which means good, pleasant, or agreeable. The idea of a good man is exemplified in figures like Noah, who was described as "a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time" (Genesis 6:9). Similarly, King David, despite his flaws, is often seen as a man after God's own heart (1 Samuel 13:14), striving to lead with justice and mercy.

Proverbs frequently speaks of the characteristics of a good man. Proverbs 12:2 states, "A good man obtains favor from the LORD, but the LORD condemns a man who devises evil" . This highlights the biblical principle that goodness is linked to divine favor and moral conduct.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the Greek word "agathos" is often used to describe goodness. Jesus Christ Himself is the ultimate example of a good man, embodying perfect righteousness and love. In the Gospels, Jesus teaches about the nature of goodness, emphasizing that true goodness comes from God alone. In Mark 10:18, Jesus says, "Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone" , pointing to the divine source of all goodness.

The Apostle Paul, in his epistles, encourages believers to pursue goodness as a fruit of the Spirit. Galatians 5:22-23 lists the fruit of the Spirit, including goodness, as evidence of a life transformed by the Holy Spirit. Paul also exhorts believers in Romans 12:21, "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good" , urging Christians to actively practice goodness in their interactions with others.

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, the concept of a good man is intertwined with the doctrine of sanctification. A good man, in biblical terms, is one who is being conformed to the image of Christ through the work of the Holy Spirit. This transformation involves a continual process of growth in holiness and moral excellence.

The Bible also acknowledges human limitations in achieving perfect goodness. Romans 3:23 reminds us, "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" . Thus, the pursuit of goodness is not about human effort alone but relies on God's grace and empowerment.

Practical Application

In practical terms, being a good man involves living out one's faith through actions that reflect God's love and justice. It includes honesty, kindness, humility, and a commitment to serving others. The life of a good man is marked by a desire to honor God in all things and to be a witness of His goodness to the world.

The biblical portrayal of a good man serves as an aspirational model for believers, encouraging them to seek God's guidance and strength in their journey toward righteousness.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (n.) A familiar appellation of civility, equivalent to My friend, Good sir, Mister; -- sometimes used ironically.

2. (n.) A husband; the master of a house or family; -- often used in speaking familiarly.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
GOODMAN

good'-man ('ish; oikodespotes): The word occurs once in the Old Testament and is a translation of the ordinary word for "man," 'ish (Proverbs 7:19). "The goodman is not at home," so the King James Version and the Revised Version (British and American), but the American Standard Revised Version, more correctly, "The man is not at home"; i.e. the husband is not at home; the Geneva and Douay versions have "My husband is not at home": so Wycliffe; while the Vulgate (Jerome's Latin Bible, 390-405 A.D.) has "There is not a man in her house." In the New Testament "goodman" is a translation of oikodespotes. This word occurs 12 times in the Synoptists, and nowhere else. the King James Version and the Revised Version (British and American) have 3 translations of the word, the American Standard Revised Version 2. In 4 places the King James Version has "goodman" while the American Standard Revised Version has "householder" or "master of the house" (Matthew 20:11; Matthew 24:43 Luke 12:39; Luke 22:11). In all the other places, it is translated "householder" or "master of the house." the Revised Version (British and American) retains "goodman" in Mark 14:14 and Luke 22:11. The word liteerally means "master of the house," or "husband." The adjective is a mark of respect, and is used somewhat as our word "Mr.," an appellative of respect or civility. Relationship by marriage was distinguished by this epithet, as "good-father," "good-sister," both in England and Scotland. Later the adjective lost its distinguishing force and was swallowed up in the word.

J. J. Reeve

Greek
3617. oikodespotes -- the master of a house
... householder, master of the house. From oikos and despotes; the head of a family --
goodman (of the house), householder, master of the house. see GREEK oikos. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3617.htm - 6k
Library

Robbie Goodman's Prayer
... ROBBIE GOODMAN'S PRAYER. "What can be the matter with Walter," thought
Mama Ellis as she sat sewing in her pleasant sitting-room. ...
/.../touching incidents and remarkable answers to prayer/robbie goodmans prayer.htm

Extracts from Mr. David Laing's Preface.
... That Knox's views were in harmony with those of his colleagues, Goodman, Whittingham,
and Gilby, need hardly be stated: but the reception of the little work ...
/.../knox/the first blast of the trumpet/extracts from mr david laings.htm

Bibliography.
... Printed by John Fowler in 1566. The references to Knox and Goodman are at E. vj
and F. ij. ... One woodcut is a curious representation of Goodman and Nokes. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/knox/the first blast of the trumpet/bibliography.htm

The Lord's Supper
... And ye shall say unto the goodman of the house, The Master saith unto thee, Where
is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with My disciples? 12. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/the lords supper.htm

He Repels the Calumny Concerning the Acceptance of Persons.
... But what did he reply to those who murmured against the goodman of the
house concerning this, as it were, acceptance of persons? ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 13 vii he repels the.htm

Also this Holy Hermit, Richard, Out of the Abundance of his ...
... Now a certain goodman of that town, knowing that the holy hermit Richard loved her
with a perfect affection of charity"since he was wont to instruct her in ...
//christianbookshelf.org/rolle/the fire of love/lection viii also this holy.htm

Sixth Commandment
... Did not Christ justify this idea of self-defence when He said: "If the goodman of
the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/weighed and wanting/sixth commandment.htm

The vineyard Labourers.
... And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house, saying,
These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto ...
/.../arnot/the parables of our lord/ix the vineyard labourers.htm

Wisdom and the Strange Woman
... Come, let us take our fill of love Until the morning; Let us solace ourselves with
loves; For the goodman is not at home, He is gone a long journey: He hath ...
/.../select masterpieces of biblical literature/vii wisdom and the strange.htm

A Secret Rendezvous
... And wheresoever he shall go in, say ye to the goodman of the house, The Master saith,
Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with My ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture d/a secret rendezvous.htm

Thesaurus
Goodman (6 Occurrences)
...GOODMAN. good'-man ('ish; oikodespotes): The word occurs once in the Old Testament
and is a translation of the ordinary word for "man," 'ish (Proverbs 7:19). ...
/g/goodman.htm - 10k

Guestchamber (2 Occurrences)
... Mark 14:14 And wheresoever he shall go in, say ye to the goodman of the house, The
Master saith, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with ...
/g/guestchamber.htm - 8k

Suffered (88 Occurrences)
... Matthew 24:43 But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what
watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered ...
/s/suffered.htm - 32k

Suffer (195 Occurrences)
... Matthew 24:43 But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what
watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered ...
/s/suffer.htm - 36k

Good-man (1 Occurrence)
Good-man. Goodman, Good-man. Goodness . ... Proverbs 7:19 For the good-man is not
at home, he is gone a long journey: (WBS). Goodman, Good-man. Goodness . ...
/g/good-man.htm - 6k

Wheresoever (17 Occurrences)
... Mark 14:14 And wheresoever he shall go in, say ye to the goodman of the house, The
Master saith, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with ...
/w/wheresoever.htm - 11k

Bason (3 Occurrences)
... Hence, it would naturally be ready here in the upper room as a normal part of the
preparation of the "goodman of the house" for his guests (the King James ...
/b/bason.htm - 13k

Goodly (46 Occurrences)

/g/goodly.htm - 25k

Basin (37 Occurrences)
... Hence, it would naturally be ready here in the upper room as a normal part of the
preparation of the "goodman of the house" for his guests (the King James ...
/b/basin.htm - 26k

Resources
Goodman: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Goodman (6 Occurrences)

Matthew 20:11
And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house,
(KJV)

Matthew 24:43
But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.
(KJV)

Mark 14:14
And wheresoever he shall go in, say ye to the goodman of the house, The Master saith, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples?
(KJV)

Luke 12:39
And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through.
(KJV)

Luke 22:11
And ye shall say unto the goodman of the house, The Master saith unto thee, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples?
(KJV)

Proverbs 7:19
For the goodman is not at home, he is gone a long journey:
(KJV)

Subtopics

Goodman

Related Terms

Good-man (1 Occurrence)

Good (8348 Occurrences)

Stored (55 Occurrences)

Guestchamber (2 Occurrences)

Produces (27 Occurrences)

Barnabas (33 Occurrences)

Brings (155 Occurrences)

Bringeth (313 Occurrences)

Store (134 Occurrences)

Suffered (88 Occurrences)

Wicked (476 Occurrences)

Smooth (39 Occurrences)

Treasure (66 Occurrences)

Gives (542 Occurrences)

Unfaithful (58 Occurrences)

Suffer (195 Occurrences)

Evil-doer (88 Occurrences)

Evil-doers (122 Occurrences)

Sirach

Home (270 Occurrences)

Home (270 Occurrences)

Nay (92 Occurrences)

Overflow (43 Occurrences)

Obtains (4 Occurrences)

Obtaineth (5 Occurrences)

Joined (146 Occurrences)

Judge (297 Occurrences)

Lendeth (4 Occurrences)

Leads (64 Occurrences)

Leadeth (42 Occurrences)

Leave (341 Occurrences)

Leaveth (25 Occurrences)

Grumbling (13 Occurrences)

Wheresoever (17 Occurrences)

Watchman (19 Occurrences)

Widespread (2 Occurrences)

Whispering (7 Occurrences)

Wide-stretching (3 Occurrences)

Increased (165 Occurrences)

Imposing (8 Occurrences)

Inquire (95 Occurrences)

Ideas (8 Occurrences)

Foremost (14 Occurrences)

Fills (20 Occurrences)

Futility (19 Occurrences)

Thinketh (17 Occurrences)

Runs (28 Occurrences)

Repaid (16 Occurrences)

Eliakim (14 Occurrences)

Dissembler (1 Occurrence)

Devices (43 Occurrences)

Deceives (14 Occurrences)

Devises (11 Occurrences)

Discretion (20 Occurrences)

Discussion (29 Occurrences)

Delighteth (23 Occurrences)

Debate (13 Occurrences)

Deceiveth (8 Occurrences)

Dismay (16 Occurrences)

Muttering (3 Occurrences)

Muttered (3 Occurrences)

Mischievous (13 Occurrences)

Mass (65 Occurrences)

Murmuring (14 Occurrences)

Master (346 Occurrences)

Peradventure (35 Occurrences)

Bad (129 Occurrences)

Backslider (2 Occurrences)

Believers (50 Occurrences)

Counsellor (16 Occurrences)

Crafty (15 Occurrences)

Counselor (19 Occurrences)

Contrary (77 Occurrences)

Considerable (17 Occurrences)

Condemns (11 Occurrences)

Abounding (28 Occurrences)

Astray (116 Occurrences)

Ahi'ma-az (7 Occurrences)

Goodly Trees
Top of Page
Top of Page