Lexical Summary ohab: To love Original Word: אַֹהַב Strong's Exhaustive Concordance love From 'adash; meaning the same as 'ahab -- love. see HEBREW 'adash see HEBREW 'ahab NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom aheb Definition love (noun) NASB Translation caresses (1), which (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [אֹ֫הַב] noun [masculine] id. = loved object, suffix אָהֳבָם Hosea 9:10 (= בּשֶׁת = בַּעַל see Hi Now) i.e. the idol worshipped; plural = amours (carnal sense) Proverbs 7:18. Topical Lexicon Contextual SettingThe word appears in Proverbs 7:18, where the adulterous woman entices the naïve young man: “Come, let us drink our fill of love till morning; let us delight in caresses” (Berean Standard Bible). The term designates the physical expressions of passion that she offers outside the covenant of marriage. Its solitary occurrence intensifies the scene, spotlighting a “love” that is pleasurable yet illicit, momentary yet destructive. Literary Function in Proverbs 7 Proverbs 7 is a carefully crafted warning against sexual immorality. The father’s instruction (Proverbs 7:1-5) frames the seductive narrative (Proverbs 7:6-23) and the concluding exhortation (Proverbs 7:24-27). By restricting this noun to the lips of the temptress, the writer exposes a counterfeit love that masks danger beneath sweetness. The rarity of the term underscores how fleeting and abnormal such “love” is in the wisdom tradition. Moral and Ethical Significance 1. Seduction versus Covenant Faithfulness The woman’s invitation contrasts sharply with the covenantal ideal celebrated elsewhere (Genesis 2:24; Proverbs 5:18-19). Scriptural love is designed to flourish within lifelong fidelity; here, it is ripped from that soil and repackaged as a night-long indulgence. 2. Pleasure Severed from Responsibility By offering “caresses” without commitment, the text highlights the moral disintegration that occurs when desire is detached from accountability. Proverbs 7:23 likens the victim to “an arrow that pierces his liver,” reinforcing the lethal outcome of such counterfeit intimacy. 3. The Deceptive Vocabulary of Sin The woman speaks of “love,” yet the chapter ends with the stark verdict: “Her house is the road to Sheol” (Proverbs 7:27). Scripture thus warns that sin often borrows sacred vocabulary to cloak its true intent. Theological Reflections 1. Wisdom’s Call to Holiness Proverbs embodies a theology where wisdom is inseparable from righteousness. The misuse of love vocabulary in Proverbs 7:18 serves as negative instruction, urging readers to discern between genuine, covenantal love and its fraudulent counterparts. 2. Echoes of Covenant Imagery While Proverbs 7 showcases distorted love, prophetic literature presents covenant love as steadfast and sacrificial (Hosea 2:19-20). The contrast invites reflection on God’s faithful affection versus humanity’s propensity for unfaithful substitutes. 3. Foreshadowing the New Testament Ethic The Apostle Paul later commands, “Flee from sexual immorality” (1 Corinthians 6:18) and elevates marital love as a picture of Christ and the church (Ephesians 5:25-32). Proverbs 7 anticipates this ethic by exposing the peril of eroticism severed from covenant. Historical Backdrop Ancient Near Eastern culture often celebrated physical love in poetry (e.g., Egyptian “Song of the Harper”). Proverbs 7 situates such themes within Israel’s wisdom framework, affirming marital delight (Song of Solomon) while condemning unbridled lust. The solitary use of this noun may reflect intentional distancing from broader pagan usage, reserving it for a cautionary tale rather than commendation. Ministry and Discipleship Applications 1. Teaching Sexual Integrity Proverbs 7 supplies a vivid case study for youth and adults alike. Expositors can show how fleeting pleasure mutates into lifelong regret, reinforcing the value of purity and covenant faithfulness. 2. Counseling Against Rationalized Sin The temptress offers secrecy (“my husband is not at home,” Proverbs 7:19-20). Counselors can expose similar modern rationalizations that treat sin as consequence-free. 3. Cultivating Discernment The text trains believers to test language: not every appeal to “love” honors God. This discernment is critical in an age where romantic or erotic language often justifies immorality. Christological Perspective The counterfeit “love” of Proverbs 7:18 heightens appreciation for Christ’s authentic, self-sacrificing love. Where the adulteress lures for a night, Christ lays down His life for eternity (John 15:13). The contrast magnifies the gospel’s purity and permanence. Conclusion Strong’s Hebrew 159 depicts sensual “love” that is powerful yet perilous when detached from God’s design. Its lone appearance serves as a dramatic foil, warning readers to cherish covenantal fidelity and to reject seductive imitations that lead to ruin. Forms and Transliterations בָּאֳהָבִֽים׃ באהבים׃ bā’ohāḇîm bā·’o·hā·ḇîm boohaVimLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Proverbs 7:18 HEB: הַבֹּ֑קֶר נִ֝תְעַלְּסָ֗ה בָּאֳהָבִֽים׃ NAS: Let us delight ourselves with caresses. KJV: let us solace ourselves with loves. INT: morning delight caresses 1 Occurrence |
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