I love to learn new words. I especially love new words from other languages because they often combine meanings in a way that English does not.
My latest “find” is the Hebrew word “tov.”
What is tov?
According to Merriam Webster, “Tov is from the Hebrew word for "good", but with a fuller intent which implies something which fulfills the purpose for which it was created. First used where God pronounced what He created was ‘good’; also, in describing the tree of the knowledge of ‘good’ (tov) and evil (ra).”
Once I read this definition, I knew I wanted to learn more.
I turned to the rYm covenant website. rYm is written by a Hebrew couple that has embraced Christianity. The couple helps those of us who are Gentiles to better understand the richness of the Hebrew language and meaning behind the words.
On June 13, 2021, the couple blogged on the word “tov”. They noted that “It should always be remembered that the Hebrews often relate descriptions to functionality. The word tov would best be translated with the word “functional”. When (God) looked at his handiwork he did not see that it was “good”, he saw that it was functional, kind of like a well-oiled and tuned machine.” They continue by pointing out that tov is “arguably one of the richest words out there. The explosive power in tov can be felt right from the beginning.”
Quoting directly from their website, this Hebrew couple gives full depth to the meaning contained within tov:
“There is a beautiful progression of movement: YaHuWaH calls forth the seeds he has embedded in creation, creation brings forth those seeds with the seeds of future life in them, and YaHuWaH sees the process as tov.
“Metaphorically speaking, if we are trees and we drop seeds but none of them grow…no tov. If we drop seeds and some of them grow and become trees of their own but none of them have seeds of their own…no tov. The reason why the plants and trees must have seeds inside of them is so that in due time those plants and trees will drop their seeds into the earth and further the cycle of creating life and produce life.
“So, what would YaHuWaH call good? Anything that produces life and contains the potential for more life within it. Think of a seed becoming an orchard. Or, more practically speaking, think of a conversation or story that stirred you to bring forth life from inside of you and offer it in a way that had the potential to call forth life in another.
The Hebrew word tov does not mean merely ‘pleasant’ or ‘pleasurable’. It means capable of, presently engaged in the process of, and destined for, completely fulfilling the Divine purpose for which it was created.
The difference between how modern society uses the word good and how YaHuWaH uses the word good is staggering.”
Scripture, they note, is significantly choosier when it comes to applying the label “good” [tov] to something. “Scripture abundantly speaks of tov. In Genesis 50:20, Joseph states the following to his brothers: ‘And you, you intended evil against me, but Elohim intended it for good, in order to do it as it is this day, to keep a great many people alive.’
In the first part of Psalm 23:6, David declares to YaHuWaH, ‘Only goodness [tov] and kindness follow me All the days of my life.’”
So, through their elegant description, we learn that “tov” does not simply mean “good” – tov means that something or someone is fulfilling the Divine purpose for which it was created.
We should each pray for lives that are “tov”.