טוֹב
𐤈𐤅𐤁
Tov
H2897 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
טוֹב (Tôb) serves as both a common noun meaning 'goodness' or 'prosperity,' and as a proper noun referring to a geographical region probably east of the Jordan River. As a common noun, טוֹב denotes the state or quality of being good, beneficial, pleasant, agreeable, or morally upright. As a toponym, it designates a region, most likely in the Transjordan area, referenced in relation to figures like Jephthah. The semantic range thus includes both normative notions of 'goodness' as well as the technical designation of a place named for or associated with this quality.
Semantic Range
goodness, prosperity, favor, benefit; the name of a region east of the Jordan River (Tob); designation of something pleasant or advantageous
Root / Etymology
From the root טוֹב (ט-ו-ב), meaning 'good' or 'pleasant.' As the common noun, it simply expresses that which is beneficial or desirable. The proper place name likely derives from this root, indicating a region characterized—literally or idealistically—by 'goodness,' prosperity, or advantageous conditions.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In most biblical passages, טוֹב refers to the concept of 'good' in a moral, qualitative, or practical sense as a noun or adjective. As a proper noun, the region of Tob appears notably in Judges 11:3-5 as a place of Jephthah's exile and gathering of followers. Ancient Israelite and Transjordanian geography used such names to express perceived characteristics or to commemorate events or persons. Later translations have sometimes rendered the proper name as 'the land of Tob,' and in some translations or traditions, its people or inhabitants have been assumed (e.g., 'men of Tob') but this is context-specific. The term is to be distinguished from the root's frequent adjectival use (טוֹב, 'good') versus the proper noun (Tob, the place). In no context during the First Temple period does טוֹב refer to an ethnic identity or people group beyond geographic designation. In English traditions, use of 'Tob' as a place name does not fully communicate the idea of goodness or favor that the Hebrew may have implied to original hearers. Over time, the semantic distinction between the common and proper usages has remained stable, with contemporary scholarship locating Tob east or northeast of Gilead in the region of Bashan or Syria.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
the same as טוֹב; good; Tob, a region apparently East of the Jordan; Tob.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
טוב (ṭ-w-b) — to be good, to be pleasant, to benefit, to be beautiful
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H2869 | טָב | good |
| H2895 | טוֹב | you did good |
| H2896 | טוֹב | in the good |
| H2898 | טוּב | in goodness |
| H2899 | טוֹב אֲדֹנִיָּהוּ | and good |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2897-01 |
ט֑וֹב | tov | HNp |
Tob | good | 4 |
Occurrences in Scripture
4 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2897-01 |
Judges 11:3 | ט֑וֹב | tov | HNp |
Tob | good |
H2897-01 |
Judges 11:5 | טֽוֹב | tov | HNp |
Tob | good |
H2897-01 |
2 Samuel 10:6 | ט֔וֹב | tov | HNp |
Tob | good |
H2897-01 |
2 Samuel 10:8 | ט֣וֹב | tov | HNp |
Tob | good |