158. ahab

Lexicon

ahab: Love

Original Word: אַהַב
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: ahab
Pronunciation: ah-HAV
Phonetic Spelling: (ah'-hab)
Definition: Love
Meaning: affection

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

lover

From 'ahab; affection (in a good or a bad sense) -- love(-r).

see HEBREW 'ahab

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from aheb
Definition
love (noun)
NASB Translation
lovers (1), loving (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs

[אַ֫הַב] noun [masculine] love only plural אֲהָבִים, loves, amours; bad sense Hosea 8:9, but ׳אַיֶּלֶת א loving hind Proverbs 5:19 (figurative of wife "" יַעֲלַת חֵן).

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: A primitive root

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: • G25: ἀγαπάω (agapaō) • Often used in the New Testament to describe selfless, sacrificial love, particularly in the context of God's love for humanity and the love believers are to have for one another.
• G5368: φιλέω (phileō) • Used to denote brotherly love or affection, often in the context of friendship or familial relationships.

This lexical entry provides a comprehensive understanding of the Hebrew term אַהַב, illustrating its significance in biblical texts and its enduring theological and relational implications.

Usage: The term אַהַב is used throughout the Hebrew Bible to describe various forms of love and affection. It appears in contexts of familial love, friendship, romantic love, and divine love. The word is often used to express deep emotional bonds and commitments.

Context: • General Overview: The verb אַהַב is a central term in the Hebrew Bible, reflecting the importance of love in human relationships and in the relationship between God and His people. It is used to describe the love between parents and children, as seen in Genesis 22:2, where God instructs Abraham to take his beloved son Isaac. It also describes the love between friends, as in the relationship between David and Jonathan (1 Samuel 18:1-3).
• Divine Love: The concept of divine love is a significant theme in the Hebrew Scriptures. Deuteronomy 6:5 commands the Israelites to "love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength." This command underscores the covenantal relationship between God and Israel, emphasizing loyalty and devotion.
• Romantic and Marital Love: The Song of Solomon is a poetic exploration of romantic love, using the verb אַהַב to describe the passionate and intimate relationship between lovers. In Proverbs 5:19, the term is used to encourage marital affection and delight.
• Love for Objects or Concepts: The verb can also describe love for non-personal objects or concepts, such as wisdom (Proverbs 4:6) or righteousness (Psalm 45:7).
• Theological Implications: The use of אַהַב in the Hebrew Bible highlights the multifaceted nature of love, encompassing emotional, ethical, and spiritual dimensions. It serves as a foundation for understanding the biblical portrayal of God's character and His expectations for human relationships.

Forms and Transliterations

אֲהָבִ֗ים אֲהָבִֽים׃ אהבים אהבים׃ ’ă·hā·ḇîm ’ăhāḇîm ahaVim

Englishman's Concordance

Proverbs 5:19
HEB: אַיֶּ֥לֶת אֲהָבִ֗ים וְֽיַעֲלַ֫ת־ חֵ֥ן
NAS: [As] a loving hind and a graceful
KJV: [Let her be as] the loving hind
INT: hind a loving doe graceful

Hosea 8:9
HEB: אֶפְרַ֖יִם הִתְנ֥וּ אֲהָבִֽים׃
NAS: Ephraim has hired lovers.
KJV: by himself: Ephraim hath hired lovers.
INT: Ephraim has hired lovers

2 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 158
2 Occurrences

’ă·hā·ḇîm — 2 Occ.