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Of five Hebrew originals the chief is טוב, tÌ£oÌ„bh, “good,†expressing quality, character. Variously used of objects pleasing to the senses, feelings, mind, moral sense, e.g. “best of the land†(); “of sheep†(); of persons “married to whom they think best†(); of abode, “where it liketh (the Revised Version (British and American) “pleasethâ€) him best†().
In the revenues of the priests were to be “holy gifts,†e.g. the “best of the oil,†etc. (חלב, hÌ£eÌ„lebh, “fatâ€); also , , , the gifts of the heave-offering were to be “of all the best,†indicating that the richest elements of life were to go into the support and service of the sanctuary. So “the choice (best) fruits†(זמרה, zı̄mrah, literally, “the song of the landâ€), a beautifully poetic expression for the most celebrated fruits (); equally choice is פזז, paÌ„zaz, “separate,†“the finest (best) gold,†hence “purified†().
Used but twice in the New Testament: (1) of spiritual gifts (κÏεῖττον, kreıÌtton, “better†the Revised Version (British and American) “greaterâ€); ); (2) of raiment (Ï€Ïῶτος, prō̇tos, “firstâ€), “best robe†(), of special significance as expressing the Father's lavish love for the repentant and returning sinner.