בֹּקֶר טוֹב
Boker Tov
“Good Morning”
Boker Tov (בֹּקֶר טוֹב) is a Hebrew phrase meaning “good morning,” pronounced “BO-ker TOV.” The literal translation is “morning good.” Used as a morning greeting in both formal and casual settings, from sunrise until roughly noon.
| Hebrew | בֹּקֶר טוֹב |
|---|---|
| Transliteration | Boker Tov |
| English Meaning | Good Morning |
| Literal Translation | Morning good |
| Pronunciation | BO-ker TOV |
| Category | Greetings & Common |
| Origin | Modern Hebrew, though the word 'boker' (morning) appears throughout the Hebrew Bible, most famously in Genesis 1:5 — 'And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.' |
| Scripture Reference | Genesis 1:5 |
There's something special about starting your day with Hebrew. Boker Tov — literally 'morning good' — is how millions of Israelis greet the sunrise every single day. But what makes this phrase delightful is the playful response it often gets: 'Boker Or' (morning light). This call-and-response tradition turns a simple greeting into a small moment of poetry, escalating from 'good' to 'light' — as if to say, 'You think this morning is merely good? No, it's radiant.' Some Israelis keep the game going with 'Boker Zahav' (morning gold) or even 'Boker Yahlom' (morning diamond).
Scripture Reference: Genesis 1:5
“God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.”
Where Does “Boker Tov” Come From?
Modern Hebrew, though the word 'boker' (morning) appears throughout the Hebrew Bible, most famously in Genesis 1:5 — 'And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.'
When and How to Say “Boker Tov”
Used from early morning until about noon. In Israeli workplaces, it's the standard greeting when you walk in. The playful response 'Boker Or' (morning of light) is uniquely Israeli.
Cultural Context of Boker Tov
The 'Boker Tov / Boker Or' exchange is one of the first things Hebrew learners pick up in Israel. It reveals the Israeli love of wordplay. Some people extend the chain: Boker Tov → Boker Or → Boker Zahav (golden morning) → Boker Yahlom (diamond morning).
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you say “Good Morning” in Hebrew?
“Good Morning” in Hebrew is Boker Tov (בֹּקֶר טוֹב), pronounced “BO-ker TOV.” The literal translation is “Morning good.” Used as a morning greeting in both formal and casual settings, from sunrise until roughly noon.
How do you pronounce Boker Tov?
Boker Tov is pronounced “BO-ker TOV.” The literal meaning is “Morning good.”
How do you respond to Boker Tov in Hebrew?
The most common response is 'Boker Or' (בּוֹקֶר אוֹר), meaning 'morning of light.' This playful escalation from 'good' to 'light' is a beloved Israeli tradition. You can also simply respond with 'Boker Tov' back. Some Israelis humorously continue with Boker Zahav (golden morning) and beyond.
When do you stop saying Boker Tov?
Boker Tov is typically used from sunrise until about noon. After midday, Israelis switch to 'Tzohorayim Tovim' (good afternoon), though many just use 'Shalom' as an all-purpose greeting regardless of time. By evening, the greeting shifts to 'Erev Tov' (good evening).
What does boker mean in the Bible?
Boker (בּוֹקֶר) means 'morning' and appears over 200 times in the Hebrew Bible. Its first appearance is in Genesis 1:5, establishing the rhythm of creation. In biblical Hebrew, boker carries connotations of hope and renewal — Psalm 30:5 says 'weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.'
Sources & Further Study
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