מֵיטָב
𐤌𐤉𐤈𐤁
mêyṭâb
H4315 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
The finest or choicest portion of something, especially in reference to agricultural produce or property. Used to denote the best, highest quality, or most desirable part of a quantity or group, often in idiomatic expressions referring to generosity, privilege, or preferential allocation.
Semantic Range
best part, choicest portion, finest quality, highest grade, the prime of (property, land, livestock, goods), the most desirable portion
Root / Etymology
From the root יטב (to be good, pleasing, well). מֵיטָב is a noun formed from this root, indicating that which is 'good' or 'the best' quality. The word represents a nominal form that points to the superlative or choicest segment of a whole.
Historical & Contextual Notes
מֵיטָב appears rarely in the Hebrew Bible (notably in Genesis 47:11 and 1 Samuel 15:9). In Genesis 47:11 it refers to 'the best of the land of Egypt,' specifically allocated to Joseph's family, indicating a social or economic privilege in allotment. In 1 Samuel 15:9 it denotes the finest of livestock spared by Saul and the people. The term consistently refers to the highest quality or most desirable subset of what is available, without a technical ritual or cultic connotation. While later Hebrew (rabbinic) sometimes broadens such terms, in biblical usage the word avoids more general or hyperbolic senses. The phrase "the best (מֵיטָב) of the land" is idiomatic for the choicest provision available, not just a subjective assessment but a recognized gradation in value. Most English translations use 'best' or 'choicest,' which captures the core meaning; however, the nuance in ancient contexts included both privilege and selective distribution. The term is distinct from טוֹב, which, as an adjective, simply means 'good' or 'pleasing;' מֵיטָב specifically denotes a portion or part considered best in comparison to the whole group.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from יָטַב; the best part; best.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
יטב (y-ṭ-b) — to be good, be pleasing, be well
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H3190 | יָטַב | in his making him good |
| H3191 | יְטַב | he will be good |
| H3192 | יׇטְבָה | Pleasant-Place |
| H3193 | יׇטְבָתָה | in Pleasant-Place |
| H4105 | מְהֵיטַבְאֵל | God-does-good |
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4315-02 |
מֵיטַ֥ב | meytav | HNcmsc |
the best | choicest portion of | 3 |
H4315-01 |
בְּ/מֵיטַ֣ב | bemeytav | HR/Ncmsc |
in the best | in the choicest portion of | 2 |
H4315-03 |
וּ/מֵיטַ֥ב | umeytav | HC/Ncmsc |
and the best | and choicest portion of | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
6 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4315-01 |
Genesis 47:6 | בְּ/מֵיטַ֣ב | bemeytav | HR/Ncmsc |
in the best | in the choicest portion of |
H4315-01 |
Genesis 47:11 | בְּ/מֵיטַ֥ב | bemeytav | HR/Ncmsc |
in the best | in the choicest portion of |
H4315-02 |
Exodus 22:4 | מֵיטַ֥ב | meytav | HNcmsc |
the best | choicest portion of |
H4315-03 |
Exodus 22:4 | וּ/מֵיטַ֥ב | umeytav | HC/Ncmsc |
and the best | and choicest portion of |
H4315-02 |
1 Samuel 15:9 | מֵיטַ֣ב | meytav | HNcmsc |
the-best-of | choicest portion of |
H4315-02 |
1 Samuel 15:15 | מֵיטַ֤ב | meytav | HNcmsc |
the best | choicest portion of |