מֵיטָב
me.tav
best
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredThe Hebrew word מֵיטָב (me.tav) is defined as "best" according to its lemma. This single word conveys a sense of excellence, superiority, or quality. It's a positive evaluation implying something exceptional or optimal. The occurrence of this word in the Bible is limited to six instances. Given its rarity, its range of usage likely focuses on highlighting specific characteristics, achievements, or qualities within a context. This suggests that the word has an intentional, selective use in biblical texts, underscoring the importance of emphasizing the "best" aspects. The significance of מֵיטָב lies in its emphasis on selecting or focusing on the most superior aspects of something. This might imply prioritizing, valuing, or recognizing excellence in various areas of life, such as relationships, abilities, or accomplishments.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
6 total occurrences across the text
The land of Egypt is before you. Make your father and your brothers dwell in the best of the land. Let them dwell in the land of Goshen. If you know any able men among them, then put them in charge of my livestock.”
Genesis 47:11Joseph placed his father and his brothers, and gave them a possession in the land of Egypt, in the best of the land, in the land of Rameses, as Pharaoh had commanded.
Exodus 22:5“If a man causes a field or vineyard to be eaten by letting his animal loose, and it grazes in another man’s field, he shall make restitution from the best of his own field, and from the best of his own vineyard.
Exodus 22:5“If a man causes a field or vineyard to be eaten by letting his animal loose, and it grazes in another man’s field, he shall make restitution from the best of his own field, and from the best of his own vineyard.
1 Samuel 15:9But Saul and the people spared Agag, and the best of the sheep, of the cattle, and of the fat calves, and the lambs, and all that was good, and were not willing to utterly destroy them; but everything that was vile and refuse, that they destroyed utterly.
1 Samuel 15:15Saul said, “They have brought them from the Amalekites; for the people spared the best of the sheep and of the cattle, to sacrifice to Yahweh your God. We have utterly destroyed the rest.”