VERY GOOD: Fulfilling His Purpose
A Hebrew Word Study
By Hebrew Teacher Melissa
"Taste and see that the LORD is GOOD...!" (Psalm 34:8a)
TOV
טוֹב
Good
As I perused the carpet aisle of Home Depot, I saw all the flooring options were categorized by three ratings: “good, better, and best.” It felt natural to translate that as: “cheap quality, probably passable, and actually good.” Was I right to infer that for a new carpet to suit our purpose (i.e., longevity in handling foot traffic), a “good” rating would not be “good enough”?
Often in our modern culture a simple “good” label can express mere mediocrity or “nothing special-ness.” In an era of hyperbole and mass-marketing superlatives, sometimes we can lose track of the value, power, and preciousness of the biblical concept of “goodness.”
The Hebrew word טוֹב (TOV) is usually translated as “good” or “goodness.” But what does “good” really mean? It is a question to which we probably have never given much thought. Do we usually just mean it to be “acceptable,” or to be the opposite of “bad” or “evil”?
When we study the biblical context and usage of TOV, we see that a better translation or understanding of TOV is along the lines of: “well-designed, pleasing, fit for a purpose, and functioning in line with that purpose.” Something is TOV when it is possessing and expressing God-given design for life-giving functionality. God made us – and the whole world – to support life. The exact balance of ecosystems and atmospheres, the earth’s distance from the sun, and everything in all of creation attests to this!
Of course, the first time we encounter TOV in the Bible is seven times in Genesis 1. From the beginning, each day of God’s work was well-designed and supported life. God’s creation is both beautiful AND functional. When something fulfils the purpose for which it was created (ultimately to be life-giving), then it is TOV. “And God saw all that He had made, and behold, it was very TOV” (Genesis 1:31).
TOV is also translated as “beneficial” or “agreeable” in some contexts. Does a thing bring benefit to the Lord and His creation? Does it agree with and please God? Then it is certainly TOV! “I remain confident of this: I will see the TOV of the Lord in the land of the living” (Psalm 27:13 NIV).
We see TOV again in Genesis 2 in the name of a world-changing tree. Why did God command Adam and Eve, “But from the tree of the knowledge of TOV and evil you shall not eat, for on the day that you eat from it you will certainly die” (Genesis 2:17)? God had already surrounded Adam and Eve with abundant goodness (especially His own presence!), so they already “knew TOV” in a real, experiential way. Could it be that God was not trying to stop humans from knowing TOV, rather, He wanted to spare them from the heartache of ALSO knowing and experiencing EVIL? Adam and Eve could have remained just in their knowledge of “good,” but they disastrously chose “the knowledge of good AND EVIL.”
Thankfully, the Lord did not leave Adam and Eve’s descendants perpetually stuck in the consequences of this new knowledge. Rather, Father God enacted His amazing redemption plan: Jesus the Messiah would pay the price for sin, defeat death, and “buy us back” to restore us to right relationship with Him. The death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus made this all possible. Now anyone who repents of their own evil and humbly calls on the name of Jesus as Lord to be saved can receive God’s forgiveness and the free gift of eternal life through the righteous Messiah (see Romans 6:23 and 10:9–13).
This salvation plan is exceedingly TOV, because it brings life and accomplishes the purpose for which it was set forth. God’s essential, unchanging nature is that He is TOV. When we live out His thoughtful design (in every area), it is a reflection of HIS goodness. He is the ultimate supporter, redeemer, and sustainer of all life. And He wants us – and all of His creation – to complete the course for which we were created. “You are TOV and You do TOV; teach me Your statutes” (Psalm 119:68). And Isaiah 5:20 says we should be able to properly distinguish TOV from its counterpart, especially in an age where they are often wrongfully confused: “Woe to those who call evil TOV, and TOV evil...”
When something is used in line with the way God designed it, it inherently brings glory to God as the all-wise Creator and Sustainer of all things. When someone or something is TOV, they are living out their God-given design and bringing Him glory in the process: “They will burst forth in speaking of Your abundant TOV, and will shout joyfully of Your righteousness” (Psalm 145:7).
Praise God, we are not left on our own to figure out how to do this. The Lord has given us His Holy Spirit as a guide, and God’s TOV will pursue us as we pursue Him: “Surely your TOV and CHESED (unfailing, covenant love) will pursue me all the days of my life...” (Psalm 23:6a NLT).
This important theme of God’s goodness runs throughout the breadth of the Scriptures. In the Hebrew translation of the Greek New Testament we find the word TOV used frequently. The Jewish writers of the New Testament would have been very familiar with the original Hebrew meaning of this beautiful, potent word: “For everything created by God is TOV...” (1 Timothy 4:4a). For example, Galatians 5:22–25 lists TOV as one of the fruits of the Spirit – the evidence that God is working in and through our lives.
It is incredibly comforting to know that as we frequently bump up against badness, brokenness, and pain in this fallen world, God is capable to redeem a situation for His glory and purpose. Genesis 50:20 says what the enemy means for evil, God can turn to TOV: “And we know that God causes all things to work together for TOV to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28).
Written by guest blogger Melissa, Hebrew teacher
What are some TOV things that the Lord has put in your life? Take some time today to thank Him for these good gifts!
In our present day and age, in what ways do you see people confusing evil for good, and good for evil? Is there any person or group the Lord is putting on your heart to pray for in this regard, that He would open their eyes to what is truly good and right?
Have you subscribed yet to Life in Messiah’s aptly-named “The TŌV podcast”? There you can listen to biblical teaching that points to the GOODNESS of God and His GOOD plan of redemption for Israel and the nations. Share a favorite episode with a friend!
Bio: Melissa is an experienced Hebrew Teacher passionate about making the riches of the Hebrew language accessible to everyone.
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