# 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, "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](../kt/evil.md) **·** [holy](../kt/holy.md) **·** [profit](../other/profit.md) **·** [righteous](../kt/righteous.md), )

## Bible References: ##

* [Galatians 05:22-24](https://door43.org/en/bible/notes/gal/05/22)
* [Genesis 01:11-13](https://door43.org/en/bible/notes/gen/01/11)
* [Genesis 02:9-10](https://door43.org/en/bible/notes/gen/02/09)
* [Genesis 02:15-17](https://door43.org/en/bible/notes/gen/02/15)
* [James 03:13-14](https://door43.org/en/bible/notes/jas/03/13)
* [Romans 02:3-4](https://door43.org/en/bible/notes/rom/02/03)

## Examples from the Bible stories: ##

* __[01-04](https://door43.org/en/obs/notes/frames/01-04)__ God saw that what he had created was __good__.
* __[01-11](https://door43.org/en/obs/notes/frames/01-11)__ God planted…the tree of the knowledge of __good__  and evil."
* __[01-12](https://door43.org/en/obs/notes/frames/01-12)__ Then God said, "It is not __good__  for man to be alone."
* __[02-04](https://door43.org/en/obs/notes/frames/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](https://door43.org/en/obs/notes/frames/08-12)__"You tried to do evil when you sold me as a slave, but God used the evil for __good__!"
* __[14-15](https://door43.org/en/obs/notes/frames/14-15)__ Joshua was a __good__  leader because he tTable of Contentsrusted and obeyed God.
* __[18-13](https://door43.org/en/obs/notes/frames/18-13)__ Some of these kings were __good__  men who ruled justly and worshiped God.
* __[28-01](https://door43.org/en/obs/notes/frames/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."