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Word

אָהַב

ʼâhab · H157 · Hebrew · 215 occurrences

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Meanings

  1. to love

    State in which humans or deities experience a feeling of affection for a person, an object, or a practice

    Examples

    Genesis 22:2 Then He said, “Take now your son, your only son, whom you love, Isaac, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I will tell you.”

    Genesis 24:67 Then Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah’s tent, and he took Rebekah, and she became his wife, and he loved her; so Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death.

    Genesis 25:28 Now Isaac loved Esau because he had a taste for game; but Rebekah loved Jacob.

  2. friend, companion, lover

    Person to which one directs one's feelings of affection

    Examples

    Judges 5:31 “May all Your enemies perish in this way, LORD; But may those who love Him be like the rising of the sun in its might.” And the land was at rest for forty years.

    2 Chronicles 20:7 “Did You not, our God, drive out the inhabitants of this land from Your people Israel, and give it to the descendants of Your friend Abraham forever?

    Esther 5:10 Haman controlled himself, however, and went to his house. But he sent for his friends and his wife Zeresh.

How it’s used In 13 roles

Every occurrence, grouped by the words it is grammatically related to.

the word studied the word it goes with

Who or what does itSubject

156 occurrences in 39 groups

What it acts on, or what is saidObject

121 occurrences in 76 groups

With prepositionsPrepositional phrases

28 occurrences in 30 groups

With adverbsAdverbs

11 occurrences in 6 groups

Whose, or of whatGenitive or possessive

51 occurrences in 16 groups

Words describing itAdjectives, demonstratives, participles

2 occurrences in 2 groups

Named alongside itApposition

4 occurrences in 3 groups

What it doesIt is the subject

19 occurrences in 16 groups

What is done to itIt is the object

26 occurrences in 18 groups

What it is said to bePredicate

4 occurrences in 4 groups

What is said to be itIt is the predicate

3 occurrences in 4 groups

After prepositionsPrepositional phrases

29 occurrences in 6 groups

In phrases “… of it”It is the genitive

5 occurrences in 5 groups

When two words share a role, as in “Paul and Barnabas said”, the verse appears under each, so a section’s counts can add up to more than the number of occurrences.

MACULA Greek Linguistic Datasets, available at https://github.com/Clear-Bible/macula-greek/, licensed CC BY 4.0; MACULA Hebrew Linguistic Datasets © 2022-2024 by Biblica, Inc., CC BY 4.0. Westminster Leningrad Codex (tanach.us). OpenScriptures Hebrew Bible morphology (hb.openscriptures.org), CC BY 4.0.

Near synonyms 4 words
חָשַׁק châshaq · H2836 · to connect with a rod, to love, to desire
Both verbs denote positive affective attachment—loving or strongly desiring someone or something—and are distinct Hebrew verbs that could substitute for one another in expressing love or ardent desire.
חָפֵץ châphêts · H2654 · to like, to be pleased, to desire
Both words express a positive affective or volitional orientation and can substitute in many contexts (love versus delight or take pleasure in). In the Septuagint אָהַב (ʼâhab, H157) is typically rendered ἀγαπάω, while חָפֵץ (châphêts, H2654) is rendered θέλω or εὐδοκέω.
חָבַב châbab · H2245 · to love
Both words are verbs of affection or love (אָהַב (ʼâhab, H157) is high-frequency, חָבַב (châbab, H2245) occurs once), with overlapping senses in affectionate or loving action.
רָחַם râcham · H7355 · to love, to be merciful, to have mercy (on someone)
אָהַב (ʼâhab, H157) denotes general affectionate love or attachment; רָחַם (râcham, H7355) denotes compassionate, tender love rooted in mercy or pity.
Contrasting words 1 word
שָׂנֵא sânêʼ · H8130 · to hate, to reject, enemy
The direct lexical opposite of אָהַב, denoting hatred or enmity toward a person or thing.
In the other Testament 3 words
ἀγαπάω agapáō · G25 · to love, to regard with affection, loving concern
Greek ἀγαπάω (agapáō, G25) serves as the standard LXX rendering of Hebrew אָהַב (ʼâhab, H157), capturing the full semantic range of 'love' in both social and theological contexts, from human affection to covenantal divine love.
φιλέω philéō · G5368 · to love, to have affection for, to like to
φιλέω emphasizes personal attachment and affectionate friendship, often with warmer relational overtones, while אָהַב covers a broader semantic range including covenant love, familial love, and general preference or liking.
φίλος phílos · G5384 · friend
φίλος (phílos, G5384) typically denotes the concrete relational status 'friend' or 'friendly associate' rather than the affective state or action itself, functioning as a noun designation for persons bound by φιλέω-love, whereas אָהַב (ʼâhab, H157) is primarily the verbal action 'to love/like' with extended nominal uses including 'friend' as a participial substantive.
Semantic domains 2 entries
Love002001002018
אָהַב describes love or affection, as Abraham's love for his son Isaac, or Isaac's love for Rebekah.
People001001003
The word can also function as a substantive naming a loved one or friend, a person who is the object of this affection.
Word family 4 words

Words formed from the same root. They share a form, not always a meaning.

אָהַבʼâhab · H157אַהֲבָה ʼahăbâh · H160 · love · 34×אָנָּא ʼânnâʼ · H577 · please, I beg you · 13×אַהַב ʼahab · H158 · to be lovely, lover, loved one · 2×
Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon H157. aheb אָהֵב216 verb love — Qal Perfect אָהֵ֑ב Gen 27:9 Gen 27:7t; אָשֵהבּ Gen 27:14;…
H157. aheb
אָהֵב216 verb love —
Qal Perfect אָהֵ֑ב Gen 27:9 Gen 27:7t; אָשֵהבּ Gen 27:14; אָהַב Gen 37:3 Gen 37:3t.; אֲֵהבָךָ Deu 15:16; Deu 15:3feminine singular אָֽהֲבָה Son 1:7 +, etc.; Imperfect יֶאֱהַב (הָֿ֑ב) Pro 3:12 +; 1 singular אֵהָ֑ב Pro 8:17 (compare Ew§ 192 d Ges§ 68. 1); וָָֽאֹהַ֖ב Mal 1:2; וָאֹהֲבֵהוּ Hos 11:1; אֹהֲבֵם Hos 14:5; וָאֹהֲבֵם Psa 119:167; Psa 119:2masculine plural תְּאֵהֲבוּ Pro 1:22 (compare KöI p. 394 Ges§ 63 R 2); תֶּאֱהָ֑בוּ Zec 8:17; תָּאֱהָבוּן Psa 4:3; Imperative אֱהַבֿ Hos 3:1; אֱהָבֶהָ Pro 4:6; אֶהֱבוּ Psa 31:24; Amo 5:15; אֱהָ֑בוּ Zec 8:19; Infinitive construct אֱהֹב Ecc 3:8; אַהֲבָה Deu 10:12 +; אֲהֲבַת Mic 6:8 + etc.; compare also below
n. אהבה below; Participle אֹהֵב (אוֺהֵב) Deu 10:18 26t.; feminine construct אֲהֻבַת Hos 3:1 is probably active compare BaNB 174 ff; suffix אֹהֲבִי Isa 41:8 etc.; feminine אֹהֶ֫בֶת Gen 25:28; אֹהַ֫בְתִּי Hos 10:11 etc.; Passive participle אָהוּב Neh 13:26; אֲהוּבָה Deu 21:15 (twice in verse); Deu 21:16. — love (mostly with accusative, followed by לְ + object Lev 19:18, Lev 19:34; 2Ch 19:2 (late), followed by בְּ Ecc 5:9; absolute Ecc 3:8 & see below), (affection both pure & impure, divine & human); —
1 human love to human object; absolute, opposed to hate שָׂנֵא Ecc 3:8; of love to son Gen 22:2; Gen 25:28; Gen 37:3-4, Gen 44:20 (JE) Pro 13:24; so also 2Sa 13:21 ᵐ5 Ew Th We, compare Dr, of David's loving Amnon; never to parent, but mother-in-law Rth 4:15; of man's love to woman; wife Gen 24:67; Gen 29:20, Gen 29:30 (compare Gen 29:18):32 (JE), also Deu 21:15 (twice in verse); Deu 21:16; Jdg 14:16; 1Sa 1:5; 2Ch 11:21; Est 2:17; Hos 3:1; Ecc 9:9; but also Gen 34:3 (J) Jdg 16:4, Jdg 16:15; 2Sa 13:1, 2Sa 13:4, 2Sa 13:15 (where of carnal desire) 1Ki 11:1 compare 1Ki 11:2; Hos 3:1; ׳א רֵעַ loving a paramour, see BaNB 176; woman's love to man 1Sa 18:20 (so 1Sa 18:28 ᵑ0, but read ᵐ5 אֹתוֺ אֹהֵב כָליִֿשְׂרָאֵל וְבִי We Dr) Son 1:3-4, Son 1:7; Son 3:1-2, Son 3:3, Son 3:4 (5 t. subject נַפְשִׁי); compare also figurative of adulterous Judah Jer 2:25; Isa 57:8; Eze 16:37; of love of slave to master Exo 21:5 (JE) Deu 15:16; inferior to superior 1Sa 18:22 compare 1Sa 18:16; love to neighbour Lev 19:18 (כָּמוֺ֑ךָ לְרֵעֲךָ וְאָהַבְתָּ), partic to stranger Lev 19:34 (both P), Deu 10:18-19, love of friend to friend 1Sa 16:21; 1Sa 18:1, 1Sa 18:3; 1Sa 20:17 (twice in verse); Job 19:19; Pro 17:1 compare 2Sa 19:7 (twice in verse); 2Ch 19:2; see also Pro 9:8; Pro 16:13; compare Pro 15:12; see especially Participle below
2 less often of appetite, object food, Gen 27:7, Gen 27:9, Gen 27:14 (JE); drink Hos 3:1; Pro 21:17; husbandry 2Ch 26:10; compare figurative of Ephraim Hos 10:11 followed by infinitive; length of life Psa 34:13; of cupidity Hos 9:1; 1Sa 1:23; Ecc 5:9 (twice in verse); of love of sleep Pro 20:13 compare figurative of sluggish watchmen (followed by infinitive) Isa 56:10; also with object abstract wisdom (personified), knowledge, righteousness, etc. Pro 4:6; Pro 8:17, Pro 8:21; Pro 12:1; Pro 22:11; Pro 29:3; Amo 5:15; Mic 6:8 (infinitive || infinitives) Zec 8:19, compare Pro 19:8 נַפְשׁוֺ אֹהֵב לֵב קֹנֶה; object folly, evil, etc., Mic 3:2; Mic 4:3; Psa 11:5; Psa 52:5; Psa 52:6; Psa 109:17; Pro 1:22; Pro 8:36; Pro 17:19 (twice in verse), compare Pro 18:21; Zec 8:17, compare ׳א כֵּן Amo 4:5; Jer 5:3, followed by Infinitive Hos 12:8; Jer 14:10, especially of idolatry Hos 4:13 (where strike out הֵבוּ compare Kö1. p. 395) Jer 8:2.
3 love to God Exo 20:6 (JE) elsewhere Hexateuch only Deu 5:10; Deu 6:5; Deu 7:9 Deu 7:9t. Deuteronomy + Jos 22:5; Jos 23:11; also Jdg 5:31; 1Ki 3:3; Neh 1:5; Dan 9:4; especially in (late) Psa 31:24; Psa 116:1; Psa 145:20, but usually followed by name, law, etc. of ׳י Psa 5:12; Psa 26:8; Psa 40:17; Psalm 69:37; Psa 70:5; Psa 97:10; Psa 119:47 Psa 119:11t. Psalm 119; compare Isa 56:6; compare also of love to Jerusalem Isa 66:10; Psa 122:6.
4 especially Participle אֹהֵב = (a) lover, Lam 1:2 (figurative of Jerusalem); (b) friend Hiram of David 1Ki 5:15, compare Jer 20:4, Jer 20:6; Est 5:10, Est 5:14; Est 6:13; Psa 38:12 (|| רֵעַ) so Psalm 88:19, Pro 14:20; also Pro 18:24; Pro 27:6; Abraham of God Isa 41:8; 2Ch 20:7.
5 of divine love (a) to individual men Deu 4:37; 2Sa 12:24; Pro 3:12; Pro 15:9; Psa 146:8; Neh 13:26; (b) to people Israel, etc. Deu 7:8, Deu 7:13; Deu 23:6; Hos 3:1; Hos 9:15; Hos 11:1; Hos 14:5; 1Ki 10:9; 2Ch 2:10; 2Ch 9:8; Isa 43:4; Isa 48:14; Jer 31:3; Mal 1:2 (3 t. in verse); Psa 47:5; to Jerusalem Psa 78:68; Psa 87:2; (c) to righteousness, etc. Psa 11:7; Psa 33:5; Psa 37:28; Psa 45:8; Psa 99:4; Isa 61:8; Mal 2:11.
Niph`al Participle plural הַנֶּאֱהָבִים 2Sa 1:23 lovely, loveable of Saul & Jonath. (|| הַנְּעִימִם).
Pi`el Participle plural suffix מְאַהֲבַי (בָֿ֑י) Hos 2:7 Hos 2:3t.; מְאַהֲבַיִח (בָֿ֑יִח) Jer 22:20 Jer 22:6t.; מְאַהֲבֶיהָ Hos 2:9 Hos 2:4t.
1 friends Zec 13:6;
2 lovers in figure of adulterous Israel Hos 2:7; Hos 2:9; Hos 2:12; Hos 2:14; Hos 2:15; Eze 23:5, Eze 23:9; Judah Jer 22:20, Jer 22:22; Jer 30:14; Lam 1:19; Eze 16:33, Eze 16:36, Eze 16:37; Eze 23:22.

Brown, Driver and Briggs, A Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament (1906), public domain

Topical studies with this word 2 entries
People31 occurrencesLove179 occurrences

Meanings adapted from the UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament, © United Bible Societies, CC BY-SA 4.0 and the UBS Dictionary of Biblical Hebrew (from the Semantic Dictionary of Biblical Hebrew), © United Bible Societies, CC BY-SA 4.0; MACULA Greek Linguistic Datasets, available at https://github.com/Clear-Bible/macula-greek/, licensed CC BY 4.0; MACULA Hebrew Linguistic Datasets © 2022-2024 by Biblica, Inc., CC BY 4.0. Westminster Leningrad Codex (tanach.us). OpenScriptures Hebrew Bible morphology (hb.openscriptures.org), CC BY 4.0.

Sources

eRhema lexical overview, based on the UBS Dictionary of Biblical Hebrew and the UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament (© United Bible Societies, CC BY-SA 4.0) and Macula Hebrew and Greek (Clear Bible, CC BY 4.0); released under CC BY-SA 4.0

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