Best
Best
Of five Hebrew originals the chief is , tobh, good, expressing quality, character. Variously used of objects pleasing to the senses, feelings, mind, moral sense, e.g. best of the land (Gen 47:6); of sheep (1Sa 15:9); of persons married to whom they think best (Num 36:6); of abode, where it liketh (the Revised Version (British and American) pleaseth) him best (Deu 23:16).
In Num 18:12 the revenues of the priests were to be holy gifts, e.g. the best of the oil, etc. (, helebh, fat); also Num 18:29, Num 18:30, Num 18:32, 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 (, zmrah, literally, the song of the land), a beautifully poetic expression for the most celebrated fruits (Gen 43:11); equally choice is , pazaz, separate, the finest (best) gold, hence purified (1Ki 10:18).
Used but twice in the New Testament: (1) of spiritual gifts (, kretton, better the Revised Version (British and American) greater); 1Co 12:31); (2) of raiment (, protos, first), best robe (Luk 15:22), of special significance as expressing the Father’s lavish love for the repentant and returning sinner.
Fuente: International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
Best
The principle of the best of all possible worlds; according to Leibniz, the world which exists is the best possible because God’s wisdom makes him know, his goodness makes him choose, and his power always makes him produce the best possible. See Optimism. — J.M.
Fuente: The Dictionary of Philosophy
Best
is one of two words translated “best” in the AV, but the only one so rendered in the RV. In Luk 15:22 “the best (robe)” is, lit., “the first (robe),” i.e., chief, principal, first in rank or quality. See BEFORE, BEGINNING, CHIEF, FIRST, FORMER.
“greater,” is translated “best” in 1Co 12:31, “the best gifts,” greater, not in quality, but in importance and value. It is the comparative degree of megas, “great;” the superlative, megistos, is used only in 2Pe 1:4. See ELDER, GREATER and MORE.