The meaning of “אָהַב”
Understanding ʼâhab reveals the original theological depth often simplified in translation.
or אָהֵב ʼâhêb (aw-habe') ; a primitive root (be-) love(-d, -ly, -r), like, friend. - to have affection for (sexually or...
אָהַב
or אָהֵב ʼâhêb (aw-habe') ; a primitive root (be-) love(-d, -ly, -r), like, friend. - to have affection for (sexually or otherwise) 1) to love 1a) (Qal) 1a1) human love for another, includes family, and sexual 1a2) human appetite for objects such as food, drink, sleep, wisdom 1a3) human love for or to God 1a4) act of being a friend 1a4a) lover (participle) 1a4b) friend (participle) 1a5) God's love toward man 1a5a) to individual men 1a5b) to people Israel 1a5c) to righteousness 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) lovely (participle) 1b2) loveable (participle) 1c) (Piel) 1c1) friends 1c2) lovers (fig. of adulterers) 2) to like
Occurrences in the Bible
| Reference | Text | |
|---|---|---|
| Genesis 29:18 | “And Jacob loved Rachel; and said, I will serve thee seven years for Rachel thy younger daughter.” Word: אָהַב (ʼâhab) | |
| Judges 16:4 | “And it came to pass afterward, that he loved a woman in the valley of Sorek, whose name was Delilah.” Word: אָהַב (ʼâhab) | |
| 2 Chronicles 20:7 | “Art not thou our God, who didst drive out the inhabitants of this land before thy people Israel, and gavest it to the seed of Abraham thy friend for ever?” Word: אָהַב (ʼâhab) | |
| Proverbs 15:12 | “A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise.” Word: אָהַב (ʼâhab) | |
| Lamentations 1:19 | “I called for my lovers, but they deceived me: my priests and mine elders gave up the ghost in the city, while they sought their meat to relieve their souls.” Word: אָהַב (ʼâhab) |
Usage Statistics
Related Words
Cross-referenced Strong's numbers with semantic or etymological connections.
Theological Word Study: Love
Old Testament Usage
Meaning: Love / Loyal-love
Hebrew uses ahavah (אַהֲבָה) for love generally, but the covenant term chesed (חֶסֶד) describes God's steadfast, loyal love—faithful covenant commitment beyond mere emotion.
New Testament Usage
Meaning: Divine love
The Greek agape (ἀγάπη) denotes self-sacrificial, unconditional love—the highest form of love, characterizing God's nature (1 John 4:8) and the love Christians are called to demonstrate.