185. avvah

Lexicon

avvah: Desire, Lust, Craving

Original Word: אַוָּה
Part of Speech: Noun Feminine
Transliteration: avvah
Pronunciation: ahv-VAH
Phonetic Spelling: (av-vaw')
Definition: Desire, Lust, Craving
Meaning: longing

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

desire, lust after, pleasure

From 'avah; longing -- desire, lust after, pleasure.

see HEBREW 'avah

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from the same as avah
Definition
desire
NASB Translation
desire (5), desires (1), passion* (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs

[אַוָּה] noun feminine desire — construct אַוַּת Deuteronomy 12:15 5t.; suffix אַוָּתִי Hosea 10:10 — desire, will, usually followed by נֶפֶשׁ; of natural human desire (morally indifferent), for meat Deuteronomy 12:15,20,21; of longing for sanctuary Deuteronomy 18:6; of royal good pleasure 1 Samuel 23:20; without נֶפֶשׁ, of wild-ass Jeremiah 2:24; of divine will Hosea 10:10.

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Derived from the root אָוָה (avah), which means to desire or to long for.

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: • G93 (ἀκαταστασία • akatastasia): While not a direct equivalent, this Greek term refers to instability or disorder, which can result from unbridled desires.
• G1939 (ἐπιθυμία • epithymia): This Greek word closely aligns with אַוָּה, as it denotes desire, longing, or lust. It is used in the New Testament to describe both positive desires, such as a longing for spiritual gifts, and negative desires, such as lustful passions.

In summary, אַוָּה (avvah) captures the essence of human longing, serving as a powerful reminder of the need to align one's desires with divine will. Its usage in the Hebrew Bible reflects the complexity of human emotions and the potential for both good and ill inherent in our deepest yearnings.

Usage: The word אַוָּה is used in the Hebrew Bible to express a strong desire or longing, which can be either positive or negative depending on the context. It is often associated with the desires of the heart or soul.

Context: • The term אַוָּה appears in various contexts within the Hebrew Scriptures, illustrating the multifaceted nature of human desire. In some instances, it is used to describe a righteous longing, such as a desire for God's presence or His commandments. In other contexts, it may refer to more earthly or even sinful desires, highlighting the potential for human longing to lead one astray.
• For example, in Psalm 10:3, the term is used to describe the wicked boasting of their heart's desires, indicating a negative connotation. Conversely, in Proverbs 10:24, the righteous are said to have their desires granted, suggesting a positive outcome for those who align their longings with God's will.
• The concept of אַוָּה underscores the biblical theme of the heart's orientation, emphasizing the importance of directing one's desires towards God and His purposes. It serves as a reminder of the dual nature of human longing, capable of both uplifting and corrupting the soul.

Forms and Transliterations

אַוַּ֣ת אַוַּ֥ת אַוַּ֨ת אות בְּאַוַּ֤ת בְּאַוָּתִ֖י באות באותי ’aw·waṯ ’awwaṯ avVat bə’awwaṯ bə’awwāṯî bə·’aw·wā·ṯî bə·’aw·waṯ beavVat beavvaTi

Englishman's Concordance

Deuteronomy 12:15
HEB: רַק֩ בְּכָל־ אַוַּ֨ת נַפְשְׁךָ֜ תִּזְבַּ֣ח ׀
NAS: whatever you desire, according to the blessing
KJV: whatsoever thy soul lusteth after, according to the blessing
INT: within any desire soul may slaughter

Deuteronomy 12:20
HEB: בָּשָׂ֑ר בְּכָל־ אַוַּ֥ת נַפְשְׁךָ֖ תֹּאכַ֥ל
NAS: meat, whatever you desire.
KJV: whatsoever thy soul lusteth after.
INT: meat whatever desire soul may eat

Deuteronomy 12:21
HEB: בִּשְׁעָרֶ֔יךָ בְּכֹ֖ל אַוַּ֥ת נַפְשֶֽׁךָ׃
NAS: within your gates whatever you desire.
KJV: whatsoever thy soul lusteth after.
INT: your gates whatever desire soul

Deuteronomy 18:6
HEB: וּבָא֙ בְּכָל־ אַוַּ֣ת נַפְשׁ֔וֹ אֶל־
NAS: whenever he desires to the place
KJV: and come with all the desire of his mind
INT: and comes whenever desires of his mind to

1 Samuel 23:20
HEB: וְ֠עַתָּה לְכָל־ אַוַּ֨ת נַפְשְׁךָ֥ הַמֶּ֛לֶךְ
NAS: according to all the desire of your soul
KJV: come down according to all the desire of thy soul
INT: Now to all the desire of your soul king

Jeremiah 2:24
HEB: לִמֻּ֣ד מִדְבָּ֗ר בְּאַוַּ֤ת [נַפשֹׁו כ]
NAS: the wind in her passion. In [the time of] her heat
INT: accustomed to the wilderness desire any sniffs

Hosea 10:10
HEB: בְּאַוָּתִ֖י וְאֶסֳּרֵ֑ם וְאֻסְּפ֤וּ
NAS: When it is My desire, I will chastise
KJV: [It is] in my desire that I should chastise
INT: is my desire will chastise will be gathered

7 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 185
7 Occurrences

’aw·waṯ — 5 Occ.
bə·’aw·waṯ — 1 Occ.
bə·’aw·wā·ṯî — 1 Occ.