יְטַב
𐤉𐤈𐤁
yᵉṭab
H3191 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To be or become good, well, proper, or pleasing; in the causative form, to cause to prosper, to make well, to do good to, or to please. In Aramaic biblical texts, denotes an action or state characterized by goodness, wellness, appropriateness, or success, both literally (physical health, beauty, soundness) and figuratively (a situation being favorable, morally right, or pleasing).
Semantic Range
to be good, to be well, to be proper, to be pleasing, to succeed, to prosper, to be right, to please, to make good, to do good, to benefit, to improve circumstances, to seem good
Root / Etymology
From the root יטב, an Aramaic cognate to the Hebrew root טוב (tov), meaning 'to be good.' The verb יְטַב is the Aramaic verbal form reflecting a similar semantic sphere as the Hebrew טוב, but with its own morphology. The core idea of the root is that of 'goodness' or 'well-being.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
יְטַב occurs primarily in the Aramaic sections of the Hebrew Bible (such as in Daniel and Ezra), functioning as the standard verb for 'to be good, to be well,' or 'to please.' It is used to describe the state of circumstances, the health or well-being of persons, and the favorableness of a decision or plan. In the causative form (Pael), the verb means 'to make good, to benefit, to do good to.' In context, it can be used in reference to the well-being of individuals (e.g., Daniel 4:27), the rightness or favorableness of royal decrees, or the suitability of actions. English translations often render it as 'to be well,' 'to please,' 'to prosper,' or 'seem good,' but these do not fully capture the semantic field which includes notions of wellness, prosperity, and goodness, whether moral, material, or circumstantial. The word is not used in earlier biblical periods (patriarchal/monarchic) as it reflects the later Jewish Aramaic developing in the exilic and post-exilic periods, especially in official or courtly contexts. Its usage marks the shift to the Aramaic vernacular and administrative language in the Persian period. The morphology and meaning align it closely with related Northwest Semitic languages, but its usage context is predominantly in later biblical Aramaic.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
(Aramaic) corresponding to יָטַב; {to be (causative) make well, literally (sound, beautiful) or figuratively (happy, successful, right)}; seem good.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
יטב (y-ṭ-b) — goodness, well-being, pleasantness, prosperity
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H3190 | יָטַב | in his making him good |
| H3192 | יׇטְבָה | Pleasant-Place |
| H3193 | יׇטְבָתָה | in Pleasant-Place |
| H4105 | מְהֵיטַבְאֵל | God-does-good |
| H4315 | מֵיטָב | in the choicest portion of |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3191-01 |
יֵיטַ֗ב | yeytav | AVqi3ms |
seems-good | he will be good | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3191-01 |
Ezra 7:18 | יֵיטַ֗ב | yeytav | AVqi3ms |
seems-good | he will be good |