How many times is goodness mentioned in the Bible?
The word goodness appears 51 times in the King James Version, in 48 verses. It is found in 18 of the 66 books. The World English Bible uses goodness 33 times.
Goodness in the King James Version and the World English Bible
Each form of goodness counted in each translation.
| Form | KJV | WEB |
|---|---|---|
| goodness | 51 | 33 |
| Total | 51 | 33 |
Which books mention goodness most
Goodness appears in 18 books of the 66 in the King James Version. Psalms has the most (18), then Romans (6) and 2 Chronicles (4).
Also in: Galatians (1), Ephesians (1), 2 Thessalonians (1).
First and last mention of goodness
And Jethro rejoiced for all the goodness which the LORD had done to Israel, whom he had delivered out of the hand of the Egyptians.
Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power:
The verse that uses it most is Romans 11:22, 3 times:
Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.
Where the two translations differ
21 verses match in the KJV but not in the World English Bible, and 3 verses match only in the World English Bible, usually because the other translation chose a different word there.
Exodus 34:6: counted in the KJV only
And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,
Yahweh passed by before him, and proclaimed, “Yahweh! Yahweh, a merciful and gracious God, slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness and truth,
Numbers 10:32: counted in the KJV only
And it shall be, if thou go with us, yea, it shall be, that what goodness the LORD shall do unto us, the same will we do unto thee.
It shall be, if you go with us, yes, it shall be, that whatever good Yahweh does to us, we will do the same to you.”
Psalm 86:17: counted in the World English Bible only
Show me a token for good; that they which hate me may see it, and be ashamed: because thou, LORD, hast helped me, and comforted me.
Show me a sign of your goodness, that those who hate me may see it, and be shamed, because you, Yahweh, have helped me, and comforted me.
Hosea 4:1: counted in the World English Bible only
Hear the word of the LORD, ye children of Israel: for the LORD hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land.
Hear Yahweh’s word, you children of Israel; for Yahweh has a charge against the inhabitants of the land: “Indeed there is no truth, nor goodness, nor knowledge of God in the land.
Verses with goodness on our topic pages
10 verses that use goodness in the World English Bible are in our topic collections.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith,
Surely goodness and loving kindness shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in Yahweh’s house forever.
On: Comfort, Depression, Mercy, Grief
I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of Yahweh in the land of the living.
Oh how great is your goodness, which you have laid up for those who fear you, which you have worked for those who take refuge in you, before the sons of men!
On: Trust, Thanksgiving
He said, “I will make all my goodness pass before you, and will proclaim Yahweh’s name before you. I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy.”
On: Mercy
Don’t remember the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions. Remember me according to your loving kindness, for your goodness’ sake, Yahweh.
On: Mercy
Show me a sign of your goodness, that those who hate me may see it, and be shamed, because you, Yahweh, have helped me, and comforted me.
On: Comfort
Or do you despise the riches of his goodness, forbearance, and patience, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?
On: Kindness
See then the goodness and severity of God. Toward those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in his goodness; otherwise you also will be cut off.
On: Kindness
for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth,
Common questions
How many times is goodness in the Old Testament and the New Testament?
In the King James Version, counting every form, 42 of the 51 uses are in the Old Testament and 9 in the New Testament. Goodness appears in 18 books of the 66 in the King James Version. Psalms has the most (18), then Romans (6) and 2 Chronicles (4).
Where is goodness first mentioned in the Bible?
The first use in the King James Version is Exodus 18:9: "And Jethro rejoiced for all the goodness which the LORD had done to Israel, whom he had delivered out of the hand of the Egyptians." The last is 2 Thessalonians 1:11.
More word counts: faithful, righteous, sinner, saint, redemption, atonement, Gentiles, giant, or all 253 words.
Counted by Bible Says About from the full public-domain text of the King James Version (1769 edition) and the World English Bible. Verse text only: headings and psalm titles are left out. A word is a run of letters: a hyphenated name like Beer-sheba counts as two, and an apostrophe stays inside its word (LORD'S is one). Matching ignores capital letters. Data compiled 2026-10-05.