Unpacking: Tov (טוב) Good

A Source Sheet for Jewish Witches and Witchy Jews exploring the meaning of the Hebrew word "tov" through gematria and the letters.

Photo by Volkan Olmez on Unsplash

“Unpacking” is my approach to exploring the deeper or hidden meanings of Hebrew words. It’s a combination of gematria (Jewish numerology), letter meanings, grammar, and intuition.

A few years back, I got curious about what the Torah might really mean by “good.” Good is one of the first concepts we’re introduced to in the Torah.

וַיַּ֧רְא אֱלֹהִ֛ים אֶת־הָא֖וֹר כִּי־ט֑וֹב וַיַּבְדֵּ֣ל אֱלֹהִ֔ים בֵּ֥ין הָא֖וֹר וּבֵ֥ין הַחֹֽשֶׁךְ׃

God saw that the light was good, and God separated the light from the darkness.

וַיַּ֧רְא אֱלֹהִ֛ים אֶת־הָא֖וֹר כִּי־ט֑וֹב וַיַּבְדֵּ֣ל אֱלֹהִ֔ים בֵּ֥ין הָא֖וֹר וּבֵ֥ין הַחֹֽשֶׁךְ׃ 

God saw that the light was good, and God separated the light from the darkness.

Genesis 1:4 1:4

The Hebrew word for good is tov (טוב). Given that each Hebrew letter has its own deeper meaning and I have some familiarity with gematria (Jewish numerology) — I thought I’d try “unpacking” the meaning of the word.

What words are you curious about?

Good (טוב) Tov

Gematria: 17 (or 8)

The courage to transform reality of the past, present, and future by allowing the experiences we carry with us to become a blessing even when what is generous, healing, or beneficial, is hidden from us for a long time.

How did I get to this? Read on!