Lexical Summary avvah: Desire, Lust, Craving Original Word: אַוָּה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance desire, lust after, pleasure From 'avah; longing -- desire, lust after, pleasure. see HEBREW 'avah NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom 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 Root Usage and Semantic Range ʾawwâ conveys the inner pull of desire, longing, or personal will. It may point to a legitimate appetite (for meat or a place of worship) or to a selfish craving that defies divine order. The word’s versatility allows it to describe both holy permission and unholy impulse, so the immediate context determines whether the inclination is commended, tolerated, or condemned. Covenant Life in Deuteronomy Four of the seven occurrences stand in Moses’ exposition of covenant life (Deuteronomy 12:15, 20, 21; 18:6). Israel would soon leave the wilderness, and God acknowledged that the people would “desire to eat meat” (12:20). The legislation affirms that ordinary, commonsense desires are not inherently sinful when pursued within the boundaries of divine command—slaughtering at the central sanctuary in the wilderness, but freely within the gates once the nation is settled. In Deuteronomy 18:6, ʾawwâ shifts from diet to ministry. A Levite “desires” to serve at the central sanctuary; his longing is honored, illustrating the God‐given impulse toward worshipful service. Thus early covenant usage frames desire as something that can harmonize with God’s revealed will. Illustrations in Israel’s Historical Narrative 1 Samuel 23:20 records the Benjaminites of Ziph offering David to Saul: “Now, O king, come down whenever your soul desires to come down.” Human longing here is morally neutral on the surface, but in context it is enlisted for betrayal. The verse exposes how personal yearning, unmoored from divine instruction, can be co‐opted for unrighteous ends. Prophetic Exposure of Wayward Craving Jeremiah 2:24 depicts a wild donkey “in her desire, sniffing the wind.” The prophet likens Judah to an animal driven by heat—an uncontrolled passion that refuses correction. Hosea 10:10 similarly foresees judgment: “When it is My desire, I will chasten them.” God mirrors Israel’s stubborn craving with His own sovereign resolve to discipline. The prophets thus reveal a stark contrast: human desire distorted leads to covenant infidelity, whereas divine desire issues righteous judgment. Theological Themes 1. Created Capacity: Desire is part of the imago Dei; it can seek fellowship with God (Deuteronomy 18:6). Typological and Redemptive Trajectory By spotlighting lawful and unlawful desires, the term anticipates the New Covenant promise of a transformed heart. Where the flesh once distorted longing, the Spirit now implants new affections (Galatians 5:16–17). The Levite’s God‐honoring desire prefigures believers’ Spirit‐prompted yearning to draw near through the once-for-all sacrifice of Christ (Hebrews 10:19–22). Pastoral and Practical Application • Discern Desires: Believers must test longings against Scripture, ensuring motives align with God’s glory. Summary ʾawwâ traces a moral arc: desire designed, desire disciplined, desire distorted, and finally, desire redeemed. Its seven appearances invite God’s people to submit every longing to the One who alone satisfies 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 beavvaTiLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman'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 Deuteronomy 12:21 Deuteronomy 18:6 1 Samuel 23:20 Jeremiah 2:24 Hosea 10:10 7 Occurrences |
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