Strong's Hebrew: 4315. מֵיטַב (metab) -- Goodness, welfare, benefit
Strong's Lexicon
metab: Goodness, welfare, benefit
Original Word: מֵיטָב
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: meytab
Pronunciation: meh-tahv
Phonetic Spelling: (may-tawb')
Definition: Goodness, welfare, benefit
Meaning: the best part
Word Origin: Derived from the root יָטַב (yatab), meaning "to be good" or "to do well."
Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: The Greek equivalent often used in the Septuagint for similar concepts is ἀγαθός (agathos - Strong's Greek 18), which also means good or beneficial.
Usage: The term "metab" is used to denote goodness or welfare, often in the context of well-being or benefit. It reflects a state of being that is favorable or beneficial, aligning with the broader biblical theme of God's goodness and the well-being He desires for His people.
Cultural and Historical Background: In ancient Hebrew culture, the concept of goodness was closely tied to the covenant relationship between God and Israel. The well-being of the community and individuals was seen as a reflection of their faithfulness to God's commandments. "Metab" would have been understood not just as material prosperity but as a holistic state of peace, health, and spiritual fulfillment.
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from yatab
Definition
the best
NASB Translation
best (6).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
(מֵיטָב) noun [masculine] the best, only construct מֵיטַב and as superlative; the best of a thing: ׳שָׂדֵהוּ וּמ ׳מ כָּרְמוֺ Exodus 22:4 (JE) the best of his field and the best of his vineyard (choicest fruit); הַצּאֹן ׳מ the best of the sheep 1 Samuel 15:9,15; הָאָרֶץ ׳בְּמ in the best of the land Genesis 47:6,11 (P).
יֻטָּה, יוּטָה see below נטה.
יְטוּר see below טוּר.
יין (√ of following; meaning unknown; regarded as loan-word by LagArmen. Stud. § 484 and others; HomZMG 1889, 653 ff.; Aufsätze, 1892, 102 compare Georgian g'wino, wine whence also (according to him) Armenian gini, Greek οῖνος, Latin vinum; compare on the other hand Jenl.c. below)
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
best
From yatab; the best part -- best.
see HEBREW yatab
Forms and Transliterations
בְּמֵיטַ֣ב בְּמֵיטַ֥ב במיטב וּמֵיטַ֥ב ומיטב מֵיטַ֣ב מֵיטַ֤ב מֵיטַ֥ב מיטב bə·mê·ṭaḇ bemeiTav bəmêṭaḇ mê·ṭaḇ meiTav mêṭaḇ ū·mê·ṭaḇ umeiTav ūmêṭaḇ
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Englishman's Concordance
Genesis 47:6
HEB: לְפָנֶ֣יךָ הִ֔וא בְּמֵיטַ֣ב הָאָ֔רֶץ הוֹשֵׁ֥ב
NAS: and your brothers in the best of the land,
KJV: [is] before thee; in the best of the land
INT: your disposal he the best of the land settle
Genesis 47:11
HEB: בְּאֶ֣רֶץ מִצְרַ֔יִם בְּמֵיטַ֥ב הָאָ֖רֶץ בְּאֶ֣רֶץ
NAS: of Egypt, in the best of the land,
KJV: of Egypt, in the best of the land,
INT: the land of Egypt the best of the land the land
Exodus 22:5
HEB: בִּשְׂדֵ֣ה אַחֵ֑ר מֵיטַ֥ב שָׂדֵ֛הוּ וּמֵיטַ֥ב
NAS: he shall make restitution from the best of his own field
KJV: field; of the best of his own field,
INT: field another the best field and the best
Exodus 22:5
HEB: מֵיטַ֥ב שָׂדֵ֛הוּ וּמֵיטַ֥ב כַּרְמ֖וֹ יְשַׁלֵּֽם׃
NAS: of his own field and the best of his own vineyard.
KJV: of his own field, and of the best of his own vineyard,
INT: the best field and the best vineyard shall make
1 Samuel 15:9
HEB: אֲגָ֗ג וְעַל־ מֵיטַ֣ב הַצֹּאן֩ וְהַבָּקָ֨ר
NAS: Agag and the best of the sheep,
KJV: Agag, and the best of the sheep,
INT: Agag and and the best of the sheep the oxen
1 Samuel 15:15
HEB: הָעָם֙ עַל־ מֵיטַ֤ב הַצֹּאן֙ וְהַבָּקָ֔ר
NAS: spared the best of the sheep
KJV: spared the best of the sheep
INT: the people and the best of the sheep and oxen