DMS_GL_my_tw/bible/kt/good.md

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good, goodness

Definition:

The word "good" has different meanings depending on the context. Many languages will use different words to translate these different meanings.

  • In general, something is good if it fits with God's character, purposes, and will.
  • Something that is "good" could be pleasing, excellent, helpful, suitable, profitable, or morally right.
  • Land that is "good" could be called "fertile" or "productive."
  • A "good" crop could be a "plentiful" crop.
  • A person can be "good" at what they do if they are skillful at their task or profession, as in, the expression, "a good farmer."
  • In the Bible, the general meaning of "good" is often contrasted with "evil."
  • The term "goodness" usually refers to being morally good or righteous in thoughts and actions.
  • The goodness of God refers to how he blesses people by giving them good and beneficial things. It also can refer to his moral perfection.

Translation Suggestions:

  • The general term for "good" in the target language should be used wherever this general meaning is accurate and natural, especially in contexts where it is contrasted to evil.
  • Depending on the context, other ways to translate this term could include "kind" or "excellent" or "pleasing to God" or "righteous" or "morally upright" or "profitable."
  • "Good land" could be translated as "fertile land" or "productive land"; a "good crop" could be translated as a "plentiful harvest" or "large amount of crops."
  • The phrase "do good to" means to do something that benefits others and could be translated as "be kind to" or "help" or "benefit" someone.
  • To "do good on the Sabbath" means to "do things that help others on the Sabbath."
  • Depending on the context, ways to translate the term "goodness" could include "blessing" or "kindness" or "moral perfection" or "righteousness" or "purity."

(See also: evil, holy, profit, righteous)

Bible References:

Examples from the Bible stories:

  • 01:04 God saw that what he had created was good.
  • 01:11 God planted…the tree of the knowledge of good and evil."
  • 01:12 Then God said, "It is not good for man to be alone."
  • 02:04 "God just knows that as soon as you eat it, you will be like God and will understand good and evil like he does."
  • 08:12 "You tried to do evil when you sold me as a slave, but God used the evil for good!"
  • 14:15 Joshua was a good leader because he tTable of Contentsrusted and obeyed God.
  • 18:13 Some of these kings were good men who ruled justly and worshiped God.
  • 28:01 "Good teacher, what must I do to have eternal life?" Jesus said to him, "Why do you call me 'good?' There is only one who is good, and that is God."