Goodman
Culture & SocietyWhat is the meaning of Goodman in the Bible?
The term 'goodman' translates Hebrew and Greek words for the master of the house or husband, appearing thirteen times in the Old and New Testaments.
SIGNIFICANCE
Recognizing this title illuminates the patriarchal dynamics of ancient households, clarifying how authority and domestic duties were organized within the family structures described in biblical texts.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Ancient Cultural Lens: Avoid applying 21st-century Western assumptions to Goodman. Examine how first-century or Near Eastern listeners understood this practice within their daily social dynamics.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Goodman in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Goodman clarify?
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.
How to Cite This Entry
"Goodman." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/goodman/