Here are definitions of a few key words in the original languages of the Bible. . .
Hebrew word for Wisdom
Chokmah experience, shrewdness, can refer to technical skill or special abilities in fashioning something. Ex. 28:3 "And thou shalt speak with all who are wisehearted, whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom, that they may make Aaron's garments to consecrate them; that he may minister unto me in the priest's office." The artisan was considered to be endowed with special abilities given him by God. "And he hath filled him with the spirit of God in wisdom, in understanding, and in all manner of workmanship." Chokmah is knowledge and the ability to make the right choices at the opportune time. (*timing*).. The consistency of making the right choices is an indication of maturity and development. The "prerequisite" for "wisdom" is the fear of the Lord (Prov. 1:7). Wisdom is viewed as crying out for disciples who will do everything to pursue her.. The person who seeks chokmah diligently will receive understanding.. he will benefit in his life by walking with God. (Prov. 2:20). The advantages of wisdom are many. "For length of days, and long life, and peace shall they add to thee. Let not mercy and truth forsake thee; write them upon the table of thy heart; so shalt thou find favor and good understanding in the sight of God and man." Prov. 3:2-4. The prerequisite is a desire to follow and imitate God as he has revealed himself in Jesus Christ, without self-reliance and especially not in a spirit of pride.
The fruit of chokmah are many (Gal. 5:22) the importance of wisdom explains why books are written about i. Songs were composed in celebration of wisdom. Wisdom is personified (Prov.) as a person – stands for that divine perfection of wisdom, which is visible in God's creative acts.
the word Wise: to be circumspect and hence intelligent.. understand, consider, instruct, prudent, skill, teach, expert, prosper, have good success, wisdom, guide wittingly, give attention to, to look at, see, know, consider, understand, insight, intellectual comprehension. Jerimiah 9:23-24: let him who boasts, boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD.." 'to know' primarily experientialy. acting prudently… mastery of the art of living in accordance with God's expectations.. 'attainment' not accomplishment.. cleverness and shrewdness characterizes a type of wisdom.. God is the source of wisdom.. wise in mind, word, act, discernment of good and evil, prudence in secular matters, skill in arts, and experience in divine things.. separate mentally, distinguish, perceive, be able, deal wisely, inquire, consider. Exactly, diligently, perfect, the word expresses accuracy – which is the outcome of carefulness.. translated 'having had perfect understanding"' 'having traced the course of all things accurately.'
Greek:
Wisdom:
Sophia :Broad and full of intelligence; it is used of knowledge of very diverse matters. There is the wisdom which belongs to men, human wisdom; specifically varied knowledge of things human and divine acquired by acuteness and experience, and summed up in maxims and proverbs, science and learning; the act of interpreting dreams, and always giving the sagest advice; the intelligence evinced in discovering the meaning of some mysterious number or vision.Skill in the management of affairs; devout and proper prudence in intercourse with men not disciples of Christ. Skill and discretion in imparting Christian truth; and the knowledge and practice of the requisites for for godly and upright living. Sophia also includes supreme intelligence. Such as belongs to God, and to Christ. The word also denotes the wisdom of God as evinced in forming and executing counsels in the formation and government of the world and the Scriptures. Apprehension of truths. Complete comprehension which is intuitive and perfect. Denotes mental excellence of the highest sense, to details with wisdom and exhibited in action, and adding the power of reasoning anbput wisdom's details by tracing their relationships. Apprehending the bearing of things.. Practical, suggesting lines of action.
Sophos: Skilled, an expert, denotes one who can put things together, who has insight and comprehension.. one who has quick and correct perceptions, hence, discreet, circumspect..
Wise:
phronimos: thoughtful, i.e. sagacious or discreet (implying a cautious character while sophos (4680) denotes practical skill or acumen and 4908 indicates rather intelligence or mental acquirement).. Phronimos means "prudent, sensible, practically wise."
Hebrew and Greek words for "good" and "evil"
But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
Heb. 5:14
Greek word for "good"
Kalos: beautiful, but chiefly good, i.e. valuable or virtuous (for appearance or use). Better, honest, meet, fair, well, worthy. This word denotes something is beautiful, handsome to look at, shapely, magnificent.. excellent in its nature and characteristics, and therefore well adapted to its circumstances, praiseworthy, noble; beautiful by reason of purity of heart and life, and hence praiseworthy, morally good, honorable, conferring honor which affects the mind agreeably, comforting and confirming.. kenos as an adjective denotes that which is intrinsically "good" and so "goodly," fair, beautiful." fruit: every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire." Mt. 3:10." a tree: "either make the tree good and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by its fruit." Mt. 12:33. ground: "But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold." Mt. 13:8. fish: "Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away." Mt. 13:48. the Law "If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law, that it is good." Rom. 7:16. every creature of God: "for every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received w/ thanksgiving." (1Tim.4:4). A faithful minister of Christ and the doctrine he teaches: "If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.. of that which is ethically goo, right, noble, honorable: "But it is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing, and not only when I am present with you." Gal. 4:18. Christians are to "take thought for things honest.." "Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of man." (2Cor8:21). "not to be weary in well doing. Gal. 6:9." To hold fast "that which is good." (1Thes.5:21). to be zealous of good works (Titus 2:14). to maintain them (3:8). To provoke them (Heb. 10:24). To bear testimony by them (1 Peter2:12) (Lk. 8:15) – an "honest" heart is one that has a right attitude before God, and a good heart is one that, instead of working ill to a neighbor, acts beneficially towards him "follow after that which is good. The "good" is that which is beneficial – the good describes the intrinsic value of the teaching..
Hebrew word for "good":
Towb (tobe): to be (do or make) good (or well) in the widest sense: - well, good, please, goodly, better, cheer, comely, do, pleased.
towb means "to be joyful, glad, pleasant, lovely, appropriate, becoming, good precious, a good thing, a good man or woman, the good.. goodness, best, merry, fair, prosperity, fine, wealth, beautiful, favour, glad, bountiful, cheerful, at ease, graciously, joyful, kindly, kindness, loving, most, pleasant, pleasure, ready, sweet, welfare.
Towb means: "favorable, festive, pleasing, pleasant, well, better, right, best." This adjective denotes "good" in every sense of that word. For example towb is used in the sense "pleasant" or "delightful." "And he saw that (a resting place) was good, and the land that it was pleasant and bowed his shoulder to bear (burdens)…"(Gen.49:15). An extension of this sense appears in Gen. 40:16, where towb means "tolerable" or "in one's favor." "delightful or festal".. "Let the young men find favor in thine eyes: for we come in a good day.." God is described as One who is "good" or "One who gives "delight" and pleasure: "But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all thy works." (Ps. 73:28). In 1Sam29:6 this word describes human activities "As the Lord liveth, thou hast been upright, and thy going out and thy coming in with me in the (army) is good in my sight…"
towb can be applied to scenic beauty, as in 2Kings 2:19 "Behold, I pray thee, the situation of this city is pleasant, as my lord seeth.." 2 Chr.12:12 employs a related nuance which applies the word to the conditions in Judah under King Rehoboam after he humbled himself before God: "… things went well."
towb often qualifies a common object or activity.. 1Sam25:15 characterizes a people as "friendly" or "useful". "But the men were very good unto us.." Often this word bears an even stronger emphasis, as in 1Kinigs 12:7 where the "good word" is not only friendly but eases the life of one's servents. God's "good word" promises life in the face of opposition and uncertainty.. "There hath not failed one word of all his good promises.." towb often characterizes a statement as an important assertion for salvation and prosperity (real or imagined). God judged that man's circumstances without a wife or a helpmeet was not "good".(Gen 2:18). Elsewhere towb is applied to an evaluation of one's well-being of a situation or thing: "and God saw the light, that it was good; and God divided the light from the darkness (Gen. 1:4).
Towb is used to describe land and agriculture "And I am come down to deliver them out of the power of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey." (Ex.3:8). This suggests its potential of supporting life.. Thus the expression "the good land" is a comment about not only its existing, but its potential, productivity in such contexts, the land is viewed as one aspect of the blessings of salvation promised by God. This aspect of "the good land" includes overtones of it's fruitfulness and "pleasantness"..
Towb is used to describe men or women. Sometimes it is used of an "elite corps" of people: And he will take your menservants and your maidservants, and your goodliest young men, and your asses.."(1Sam.8:16).. in 1 Sam.15:28 the word has "ethical overtones" "The Lord hath rent the kingdom of Israel from thee this day, and hath given it to a neighbor of thine, that is better than thou." 1King 2:32).
In other passages towb describes physical appearance: "and the damsel was very fine to look upon." (literally, "good of appearance")(Gen.24:16). When applied to one's heart, the word describes "well-being" rather than ethical status. Therefore the parallel idea is "joyous and happy." "… And they.. went unto their tents joyful and glad of heart for all the goodness that the Lord had done for David." (1Kings8:66). Dying "at a good old age" describes advanced age" rather than moral accomplishment, but a time when due to divine blessings one is fulfilled and satisfied.
Towb indicates that a given word, act, or circumstance contributes positively to the condition of a situation. Often this judgment does not mean that the thing is actually "good" only that it is so evaluated.. "when the chief baker saw that the inerpretation was good.." The judgment may be ethical "It is not good that ye do: ought ye not to walk in the fear of our God because of the reproach of the heathen.." Neh. 5:9.. The word may also represent "agreement" or "concurrance": "The thing proceedeth from the Lord; we cannot speak unto thee bad or good." (Gen. 24:50). Towb is often used in conjunction with the Hebrew word ra'ah (bad, evil). Sometimes this is intended as a contrast; but in other contexts it may mean "everything from good (friendly) to bad (unfriendly) which is a way of saying "nothing at all" In Gen. 2:9 towb is contrasted with evil has moral overtones "…the tree of the knowledge of good and evil." The fruit of this tree, if consumed, would reveal the difference between moral evil and moral "good." This reference also suggests that, by eating this fruit, man attempted to determine for himself what "good" and evil are.. God appraises each day's creative work as being "good" climaxing it with "very good" on the sixth day. "And God saw everything that he had made, and, behold, it was very good" (1:31). As a positive term, the word is used to express many nuances of that which is "good" such as a "glad" heart: "And the priests heart was glad, and he took the ephod, and the terephim, and the graven image, and went in the midst of the people." (Judges 18:20). "pleasing" words: "and their words pleased Hamar.." (Gen. 34:18) and a "cheerful" face. "A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance – but by sorrow of heart the spirit is broken." (Prov. 15:13).
and yatab: make well, lit. (sound, beautiful) or fig. (happy, successful, right): - well, good, please, merry, amend, better, accepted, diligently, use aright, benefit, seem best, make cheerful, be comely, + be content, dress, earnestly, find favor, give, be glad, shew more [kindness], skillfully, surely, make sweet, thoroughly..
Yatab does not mean to amend nor improve your ways but to make one's course line up with that which is pleasing to God and that which is well-pleasing in his sight. Ytab as a verb means "to be good, do well, be glad, please, go well, be delighted, be happy." .. "to deal well.". "Therefore God dealt well with the midwives: and the people multiplied, and waxed very mighty" (Ex1:20). "to play (a musical instrument) well": "and Saul said unto his servants, provide me now a man that can play well, and bring him to me."(1Sam.16:17). "to adorn, make beautiful".. "to inquire diligently"
And shalam: to be safe (in mind, body, or estate); fig. To be (make) completed; by impl. To be friendly; by exten. To recipricate (in various applications): pay, peace, recompense, reward, render, restore, repay, perform, good, end, requite, restitution, finished, again, amends, full, that is perfect, (make) prosper(-ous), surely.
Shalam means to finish, complete, repay, reward. The Hebrew root denotes perfection in the sense that a condition or action is complete. When sufficient building materials were at hand and workmen had enough time to apply them, the wall of Jerusalem was finished. Perfection and completeness is primarily attributed to God. He is deficient in nothing; His attributes are not marred by any shortcomings; His power is not limited by weakness. God reminded Job of His uninhibited independence and absolute self-sufficiency. (Job.41:11). Isreal's social law required one to meet his obligations in full; either by equal replacement, double, or fourfold.. Debts were not to be left unpaid. "to be complete, be sound" . "to make peace." "When a man's ways please the Lord, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him." (Prov.16:7).
Greek word for "evil":
Kakos: worthless, depraved, injurious, harm, wicked, bad, noisome.. kakos indicates the lack in a person or thing of those qualities which should be possessed of means bad in character: morally, by way of thinking, feeling, or acting, in the sense of what is injurious or baneful,: the tongue as a restless evil.. evil beasts.. harm.. it stands for "whatever is evil in character, base." It is used broadly divided as follows: of what is morally or ethically "evil" whether of people, qualities, emotions, passions, deeds.. of what is injurious, destructive, baneful, pernicious,.. what is evil in influence and effect, malignant." It denotes what is useless, incapable, bad, used of thoughts, speech, actions, man..
Hebrew word for "evil":
Ra'ah: bad or evil, wickedness, wicked, mischief, hurt, trouble, sore, affliction, ill, adversity, harm, naught, noisome, grievous, sad.. calamity, displease, distress, exceedingly, great grief, heavy, hurtful, mark, misery, not please, sorrow, vex, worse(-st), wretchedness, wrong.
This word combines together in one the wicked deed and its consequences, It generally indicates the rough exterior of wrongdoing as a breach of harmony, and as breaking up what is good and desirable in man and in society. While the prominent characteristic of the godly is lovingkindness, one of the most marked features of the ungodly man is that his course is an injury to both himself and to everyone around him.
Ra' is also used to denote evil words, thoughts, or actions.. Eze. 6:11 depicts grim consequences for Israel as a result of its actions. Ra' may mean "bad" or unpleasant in the sense of giving pain or calming unhappiness: "And Jacob said unto Pharaoh,… "Few and evil have the days of the years of my life been…" (Gen. 47:9). "And when people heard these evil tidings, they mourned…" (ex. 33:4)) "Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way; and he that hateth reproof shall die." (Pr 15:10).
Ra' may also connote fierceness or wildness: "He cast upon them the fierceness of his anger, wrath and indignation, and trouble, by sending evil (ra') angels among them" (Ps 78:49). "Some evil beast had devoured him…" (Gen 37:20). In less frequent uses, ra' implies severity.. deadliness.. hurtful sword.. or sadness: "Wherefore the king said unto me, why is thy countenance sad…" (Neh. 2:2)
The word may also refer to something of poor or inferior quality, such as "bad" land (Num.13:19), "naughty" figs (Jer. 24:2), "ill-favored" cattle, or a "bad" sacrificial animal.. Yahweh describes his actions by saying, "…I make peace, and create evil (ra')…" moral evil is not intended in this context, but rather the antithesis of shalom ("peace; welfare, well-being). The whole verse affirms that as absolute Sovereign, the Lord creates a universe governed by a moral order: Calamity and misfortune will surely ensue from the wickedness of ungodly men. When he purposely withdraws his powerful hand, resorting to providence and sovereignty, and leaves the situation to ungodly men, He has created a situation wherein peace and wholesomeness will not stand. The ungodly men will wreck the peace and establish that which is poor, less than His reflection, and hurtful to all considered.
*definitions from Strong's Concordance…
*there are more (definitions of these words) than are listed above (vast!)…
Hebrew word for Wisdom
Chokmah experience, shrewdness, can refer to technical skill or special abilities in fashioning something. Ex. 28:3 "And thou shalt speak with all who are wisehearted, whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom, that they may make Aaron's garments to consecrate them; that he may minister unto me in the priest's office." The artisan was considered to be endowed with special abilities given him by God. "And he hath filled him with the spirit of God in wisdom, in understanding, and in all manner of workmanship." Chokmah is knowledge and the ability to make the right choices at the opportune time. (*timing*).. The consistency of making the right choices is an indication of maturity and development. The "prerequisite" for "wisdom" is the fear of the Lord (Prov. 1:7). Wisdom is viewed as crying out for disciples who will do everything to pursue her.. The person who seeks chokmah diligently will receive understanding.. he will benefit in his life by walking with God. (Prov. 2:20). The advantages of wisdom are many. "For length of days, and long life, and peace shall they add to thee. Let not mercy and truth forsake thee; write them upon the table of thy heart; so shalt thou find favor and good understanding in the sight of God and man." Prov. 3:2-4. The prerequisite is a desire to follow and imitate God as he has revealed himself in Jesus Christ, without self-reliance and especially not in a spirit of pride.
The fruit of chokmah are many (Gal. 5:22) the importance of wisdom explains why books are written about i. Songs were composed in celebration of wisdom. Wisdom is personified (Prov.) as a person – stands for that divine perfection of wisdom, which is visible in God's creative acts.
the word Wise: to be circumspect and hence intelligent.. understand, consider, instruct, prudent, skill, teach, expert, prosper, have good success, wisdom, guide wittingly, give attention to, to look at, see, know, consider, understand, insight, intellectual comprehension. Jerimiah 9:23-24: let him who boasts, boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD.." 'to know' primarily experientialy. acting prudently… mastery of the art of living in accordance with God's expectations.. 'attainment' not accomplishment.. cleverness and shrewdness characterizes a type of wisdom.. God is the source of wisdom.. wise in mind, word, act, discernment of good and evil, prudence in secular matters, skill in arts, and experience in divine things.. separate mentally, distinguish, perceive, be able, deal wisely, inquire, consider. Exactly, diligently, perfect, the word expresses accuracy – which is the outcome of carefulness.. translated 'having had perfect understanding"' 'having traced the course of all things accurately.'
Greek:
Wisdom:
Sophia :Broad and full of intelligence; it is used of knowledge of very diverse matters. There is the wisdom which belongs to men, human wisdom; specifically varied knowledge of things human and divine acquired by acuteness and experience, and summed up in maxims and proverbs, science and learning; the act of interpreting dreams, and always giving the sagest advice; the intelligence evinced in discovering the meaning of some mysterious number or vision.Skill in the management of affairs; devout and proper prudence in intercourse with men not disciples of Christ. Skill and discretion in imparting Christian truth; and the knowledge and practice of the requisites for for godly and upright living. Sophia also includes supreme intelligence. Such as belongs to God, and to Christ. The word also denotes the wisdom of God as evinced in forming and executing counsels in the formation and government of the world and the Scriptures. Apprehension of truths. Complete comprehension which is intuitive and perfect. Denotes mental excellence of the highest sense, to details with wisdom and exhibited in action, and adding the power of reasoning anbput wisdom's details by tracing their relationships. Apprehending the bearing of things.. Practical, suggesting lines of action.
Sophos: Skilled, an expert, denotes one who can put things together, who has insight and comprehension.. one who has quick and correct perceptions, hence, discreet, circumspect..
Wise:
phronimos: thoughtful, i.e. sagacious or discreet (implying a cautious character while sophos (4680) denotes practical skill or acumen and 4908 indicates rather intelligence or mental acquirement).. Phronimos means "prudent, sensible, practically wise."
Hebrew and Greek words for "good" and "evil"
But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
Heb. 5:14
Greek word for "good"
Kalos: beautiful, but chiefly good, i.e. valuable or virtuous (for appearance or use). Better, honest, meet, fair, well, worthy. This word denotes something is beautiful, handsome to look at, shapely, magnificent.. excellent in its nature and characteristics, and therefore well adapted to its circumstances, praiseworthy, noble; beautiful by reason of purity of heart and life, and hence praiseworthy, morally good, honorable, conferring honor which affects the mind agreeably, comforting and confirming.. kenos as an adjective denotes that which is intrinsically "good" and so "goodly," fair, beautiful." fruit: every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire." Mt. 3:10." a tree: "either make the tree good and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by its fruit." Mt. 12:33. ground: "But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold." Mt. 13:8. fish: "Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away." Mt. 13:48. the Law "If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law, that it is good." Rom. 7:16. every creature of God: "for every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received w/ thanksgiving." (1Tim.4:4). A faithful minister of Christ and the doctrine he teaches: "If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.. of that which is ethically goo, right, noble, honorable: "But it is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing, and not only when I am present with you." Gal. 4:18. Christians are to "take thought for things honest.." "Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of man." (2Cor8:21). "not to be weary in well doing. Gal. 6:9." To hold fast "that which is good." (1Thes.5:21). to be zealous of good works (Titus 2:14). to maintain them (3:8). To provoke them (Heb. 10:24). To bear testimony by them (1 Peter2:12) (Lk. 8:15) – an "honest" heart is one that has a right attitude before God, and a good heart is one that, instead of working ill to a neighbor, acts beneficially towards him "follow after that which is good. The "good" is that which is beneficial – the good describes the intrinsic value of the teaching..
Hebrew word for "good":
Towb (tobe): to be (do or make) good (or well) in the widest sense: - well, good, please, goodly, better, cheer, comely, do, pleased.
towb means "to be joyful, glad, pleasant, lovely, appropriate, becoming, good precious, a good thing, a good man or woman, the good.. goodness, best, merry, fair, prosperity, fine, wealth, beautiful, favour, glad, bountiful, cheerful, at ease, graciously, joyful, kindly, kindness, loving, most, pleasant, pleasure, ready, sweet, welfare.
Towb means: "favorable, festive, pleasing, pleasant, well, better, right, best." This adjective denotes "good" in every sense of that word. For example towb is used in the sense "pleasant" or "delightful." "And he saw that (a resting place) was good, and the land that it was pleasant and bowed his shoulder to bear (burdens)…"(Gen.49:15). An extension of this sense appears in Gen. 40:16, where towb means "tolerable" or "in one's favor." "delightful or festal".. "Let the young men find favor in thine eyes: for we come in a good day.." God is described as One who is "good" or "One who gives "delight" and pleasure: "But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all thy works." (Ps. 73:28). In 1Sam29:6 this word describes human activities "As the Lord liveth, thou hast been upright, and thy going out and thy coming in with me in the (army) is good in my sight…"
towb can be applied to scenic beauty, as in 2Kings 2:19 "Behold, I pray thee, the situation of this city is pleasant, as my lord seeth.." 2 Chr.12:12 employs a related nuance which applies the word to the conditions in Judah under King Rehoboam after he humbled himself before God: "… things went well."
towb often qualifies a common object or activity.. 1Sam25:15 characterizes a people as "friendly" or "useful". "But the men were very good unto us.." Often this word bears an even stronger emphasis, as in 1Kinigs 12:7 where the "good word" is not only friendly but eases the life of one's servents. God's "good word" promises life in the face of opposition and uncertainty.. "There hath not failed one word of all his good promises.." towb often characterizes a statement as an important assertion for salvation and prosperity (real or imagined). God judged that man's circumstances without a wife or a helpmeet was not "good".(Gen 2:18). Elsewhere towb is applied to an evaluation of one's well-being of a situation or thing: "and God saw the light, that it was good; and God divided the light from the darkness (Gen. 1:4).
Towb is used to describe land and agriculture "And I am come down to deliver them out of the power of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey." (Ex.3:8). This suggests its potential of supporting life.. Thus the expression "the good land" is a comment about not only its existing, but its potential, productivity in such contexts, the land is viewed as one aspect of the blessings of salvation promised by God. This aspect of "the good land" includes overtones of it's fruitfulness and "pleasantness"..
Towb is used to describe men or women. Sometimes it is used of an "elite corps" of people: And he will take your menservants and your maidservants, and your goodliest young men, and your asses.."(1Sam.8:16).. in 1 Sam.15:28 the word has "ethical overtones" "The Lord hath rent the kingdom of Israel from thee this day, and hath given it to a neighbor of thine, that is better than thou." 1King 2:32).
In other passages towb describes physical appearance: "and the damsel was very fine to look upon." (literally, "good of appearance")(Gen.24:16). When applied to one's heart, the word describes "well-being" rather than ethical status. Therefore the parallel idea is "joyous and happy." "… And they.. went unto their tents joyful and glad of heart for all the goodness that the Lord had done for David." (1Kings8:66). Dying "at a good old age" describes advanced age" rather than moral accomplishment, but a time when due to divine blessings one is fulfilled and satisfied.
Towb indicates that a given word, act, or circumstance contributes positively to the condition of a situation. Often this judgment does not mean that the thing is actually "good" only that it is so evaluated.. "when the chief baker saw that the inerpretation was good.." The judgment may be ethical "It is not good that ye do: ought ye not to walk in the fear of our God because of the reproach of the heathen.." Neh. 5:9.. The word may also represent "agreement" or "concurrance": "The thing proceedeth from the Lord; we cannot speak unto thee bad or good." (Gen. 24:50). Towb is often used in conjunction with the Hebrew word ra'ah (bad, evil). Sometimes this is intended as a contrast; but in other contexts it may mean "everything from good (friendly) to bad (unfriendly) which is a way of saying "nothing at all" In Gen. 2:9 towb is contrasted with evil has moral overtones "…the tree of the knowledge of good and evil." The fruit of this tree, if consumed, would reveal the difference between moral evil and moral "good." This reference also suggests that, by eating this fruit, man attempted to determine for himself what "good" and evil are.. God appraises each day's creative work as being "good" climaxing it with "very good" on the sixth day. "And God saw everything that he had made, and, behold, it was very good" (1:31). As a positive term, the word is used to express many nuances of that which is "good" such as a "glad" heart: "And the priests heart was glad, and he took the ephod, and the terephim, and the graven image, and went in the midst of the people." (Judges 18:20). "pleasing" words: "and their words pleased Hamar.." (Gen. 34:18) and a "cheerful" face. "A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance – but by sorrow of heart the spirit is broken." (Prov. 15:13).
and yatab: make well, lit. (sound, beautiful) or fig. (happy, successful, right): - well, good, please, merry, amend, better, accepted, diligently, use aright, benefit, seem best, make cheerful, be comely, + be content, dress, earnestly, find favor, give, be glad, shew more [kindness], skillfully, surely, make sweet, thoroughly..
Yatab does not mean to amend nor improve your ways but to make one's course line up with that which is pleasing to God and that which is well-pleasing in his sight. Ytab as a verb means "to be good, do well, be glad, please, go well, be delighted, be happy." .. "to deal well.". "Therefore God dealt well with the midwives: and the people multiplied, and waxed very mighty" (Ex1:20). "to play (a musical instrument) well": "and Saul said unto his servants, provide me now a man that can play well, and bring him to me."(1Sam.16:17). "to adorn, make beautiful".. "to inquire diligently"
And shalam: to be safe (in mind, body, or estate); fig. To be (make) completed; by impl. To be friendly; by exten. To recipricate (in various applications): pay, peace, recompense, reward, render, restore, repay, perform, good, end, requite, restitution, finished, again, amends, full, that is perfect, (make) prosper(-ous), surely.
Shalam means to finish, complete, repay, reward. The Hebrew root denotes perfection in the sense that a condition or action is complete. When sufficient building materials were at hand and workmen had enough time to apply them, the wall of Jerusalem was finished. Perfection and completeness is primarily attributed to God. He is deficient in nothing; His attributes are not marred by any shortcomings; His power is not limited by weakness. God reminded Job of His uninhibited independence and absolute self-sufficiency. (Job.41:11). Isreal's social law required one to meet his obligations in full; either by equal replacement, double, or fourfold.. Debts were not to be left unpaid. "to be complete, be sound" . "to make peace." "When a man's ways please the Lord, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him." (Prov.16:7).
Greek word for "evil":
Kakos: worthless, depraved, injurious, harm, wicked, bad, noisome.. kakos indicates the lack in a person or thing of those qualities which should be possessed of means bad in character: morally, by way of thinking, feeling, or acting, in the sense of what is injurious or baneful,: the tongue as a restless evil.. evil beasts.. harm.. it stands for "whatever is evil in character, base." It is used broadly divided as follows: of what is morally or ethically "evil" whether of people, qualities, emotions, passions, deeds.. of what is injurious, destructive, baneful, pernicious,.. what is evil in influence and effect, malignant." It denotes what is useless, incapable, bad, used of thoughts, speech, actions, man..
Hebrew word for "evil":
Ra'ah: bad or evil, wickedness, wicked, mischief, hurt, trouble, sore, affliction, ill, adversity, harm, naught, noisome, grievous, sad.. calamity, displease, distress, exceedingly, great grief, heavy, hurtful, mark, misery, not please, sorrow, vex, worse(-st), wretchedness, wrong.
This word combines together in one the wicked deed and its consequences, It generally indicates the rough exterior of wrongdoing as a breach of harmony, and as breaking up what is good and desirable in man and in society. While the prominent characteristic of the godly is lovingkindness, one of the most marked features of the ungodly man is that his course is an injury to both himself and to everyone around him.
Ra' is also used to denote evil words, thoughts, or actions.. Eze. 6:11 depicts grim consequences for Israel as a result of its actions. Ra' may mean "bad" or unpleasant in the sense of giving pain or calming unhappiness: "And Jacob said unto Pharaoh,… "Few and evil have the days of the years of my life been…" (Gen. 47:9). "And when people heard these evil tidings, they mourned…" (ex. 33:4)) "Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way; and he that hateth reproof shall die." (Pr 15:10).
Ra' may also connote fierceness or wildness: "He cast upon them the fierceness of his anger, wrath and indignation, and trouble, by sending evil (ra') angels among them" (Ps 78:49). "Some evil beast had devoured him…" (Gen 37:20). In less frequent uses, ra' implies severity.. deadliness.. hurtful sword.. or sadness: "Wherefore the king said unto me, why is thy countenance sad…" (Neh. 2:2)
The word may also refer to something of poor or inferior quality, such as "bad" land (Num.13:19), "naughty" figs (Jer. 24:2), "ill-favored" cattle, or a "bad" sacrificial animal.. Yahweh describes his actions by saying, "…I make peace, and create evil (ra')…" moral evil is not intended in this context, but rather the antithesis of shalom ("peace; welfare, well-being). The whole verse affirms that as absolute Sovereign, the Lord creates a universe governed by a moral order: Calamity and misfortune will surely ensue from the wickedness of ungodly men. When he purposely withdraws his powerful hand, resorting to providence and sovereignty, and leaves the situation to ungodly men, He has created a situation wherein peace and wholesomeness will not stand. The ungodly men will wreck the peace and establish that which is poor, less than His reflection, and hurtful to all considered.
*definitions from Strong's Concordance…
*there are more (definitions of these words) than are listed above (vast!)…
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