What does טוֹב mean in the Bible?
טוֹב is a Hebrew word meaning "to be (transitively, do or make ) good (or well) in the widest sense".
Hebrew · H2895
טוֹב
To be (transitively, do or make ) good (or well) in the widest sense
Reading a lexicon entry
What this page is: Each lexicon entry shows the original Hebrew or Greek word behind the English translation: its meaning, its range of use, and where it appears in Scripture.
Strong's number: The Strong's code (H- or G-) is the standard reference number for this word. It connects this entry to chapter and passage language tabs.
Where it appears: The witness passages show where this word is used in context. Click any to open the study page for that passage.
This lexicon entry is part of our ongoing editorial review. If you notice missing content, unclear wording, or a possible correction, please send us a note through theConnect page. Screenshots are helpful.
טוֹבH2895
What does טוֹב mean in the Bible?
טוֹב is a Hebrew word meaning "to be (transitively, do or make ) good (or well) in the widest sense".
Full entry for טוֹב (H2895) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How does the BSB render H2895?
The BSB source-word alignment has 21 aligned rows for this entry. Common renderings include you have done well (3), . . . (2), and in favor (1), and prosper (1), better (1).
Where does טוֹב appear in Scripture?
The source-word alignment first shows this entry at Numbers 11:18. Its strongest book concentrations include 2 Samuel (5), Judges (3), Numbers (3), 1 Samuel (2).
Source Word Evidence
BSB source-word alignment connects this entry to exact verse rows, English rendering, source form, transliteration, and parsing.
How English Renders Ityou have done well3×1 Kings 8:18, 2 Kings 10:30, 2 Chronicles 6:8
. . .2×Judges 11:25, 2 Samuel 3:36
and in favor1×1 Samuel 2:26
and prosper1×Deuteronomy 5:33
better1×Song Of Solomon 4:10
in high1×1 Samuel 25:36
is good1×2 Samuel 19:37
is merry1×2 Samuel 13:28
is well off1×Deuteronomy 15:16
it pleased1×Numbers 24:1
It was good1×Psalms 119:71
lovely are1×Numbers 24:5
seemed good1×2 Samuel 3:19
seems good1×2 Samuel 15:26
so much better1×Judges 11:25
was merry1×Esther 1:10
we were better off1×Numbers 11:18
were merry1×Judges 16:25
Show sample aligned rows
Numbers 11:18ט֥וֹבtowe were better offVerb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singularNumbers 24:1ט֞וֹבtoit pleasedVerb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singularNumbers 24:5טֹּ֥בוּtolovely areVerb - Qal - Perfect - third person common pluralDeuteronomy 5:33וְט֣וֹבtoand prosperConjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singularDeuteronomy 15:16ט֥וֹבtois well offVerb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singularJudges 11:25הֲט֥וֹבtoso much betterVerb - Qal - Infinitive absoluteJudges 11:25טוֹב֙to. . .Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singularJudges 16:25טוֹבtowere merryVerb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular1 Samuel 2:26וָט֑וֹבtoand in favorConjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular1 Samuel 25:36ט֣וֹבtoin highVerb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Usage map
A compact distribution from source-word alignment before the full evidence tables.
First aligned rowNumbers 11:18
Aligned rows21
Books represented11
Numbers3Deuteronomy2Judges31 Samuel22 Samuel51 Kings12 Kings12 Chronicles1Esther1Psalms1Song Of Solomon1
Source forms
ט֥וֹב2xṭō·wḇNumbers 11:18, Deuteronomy 15:16
טוֹב֙2xṭō·wḇJudges 11:25, 2 Samuel 3:19
ט֖וֹב2xṭō·wḇ2 Samuel 15:26, 2 Samuel 19:37
הֲט֥וֹב1xhă·ṭō·wḇJudges 11:25
הֱֽטִיב֔וֹתָ1xhĕṭî·ḇō·w·ṯā2 Chronicles 6:8
הֱטִיבֹ֔תָ1xhĕ·ṭî·ḇō·ṯā1 Kings 8:18
הֱטִיבֹ֙תָ֙1xhĕ·ṭî·ḇō·ṯā2 Kings 10:30
וְט֣וֹב1xwə·ṭō·wḇDeuteronomy 5:33
Parsing patterns
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular9xNumbers 11:18, Numbers 24:1, Deuteronomy 15:16, 1 Samuel 25:36
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - second person masculine singular3x1 Kings 8:18, 2 Kings 10:30, 2 Chronicles 6:8
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular2xDeuteronomy 5:33, 1 Samuel 2:26
Preposition-k | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct2x2 Samuel 13:28, Esther 1:10
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural2xNumbers 24:5, Song Of Solomon 4:10
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular1xJudges 16:25
Verb - Qal - Infinitive absolute1xJudges 11:25
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular1xJudges 11:25
Evidence Summary
Hebrew word. to be (transitively, do or make ) good (or well) in the widest sense
Source Gloss
to be (transitively, do or make ) good (or well) in the widest sense
Extended definitionSource: Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon + Brown-Driver-Briggs
to be (transitively, do or make) good (or well) in the widest sense BDB: pleasing Usage: be (do) better, cheer, be (do, seem) good, (make) goodly, × please, (be, do, go, play) well.
Grammatical Forms
How the stem changes the meaning of this verb across the biblical text.
This verb appears through different tense, voice, mood, or stem patterns. Those forms help readers see how the action is presented in context.
Form groups2Aligned forms16
Hiphilcausative active — the subject causes someone else to perform the action3×
Perfect1Kgs 8:18 · 2Chr 6:8 · 2Kgs 10:303×
Qalbasic active stem — the word in its most common, direct sense5×
PerfectDeut 15:16 · Num 11:18 · Num 24:1 · Num 24:5 · Song 4:105×
Word Origins
טוֹב is a primitive root - no further derivation.