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אָבֶה

𐤀𐤁𐤄

ʼâbeh

H15 particle

SILEX Entry

Root אבה to wish, to long for, to desire, to be willing

Definition

A feeling or expression of longing, desire, or craving. In biblical usage, אָבֶה (ʼâbeh) refers to a strong wish or yearning, either for something tangible or intangible, such as food, a particular action, or an outcome. It often conveys an emotional intensity or persistent desire, sometimes in the context of unfulfilled want.

Semantic Range

longing, desire, wish, craving, yearning

Root / Etymology

From the root אָבָה (ʼ-ב-ה), which means 'to wish, want, be willing, long for.' The noun אָבֶה is formed from this root, reflecting the abstract quality of desire or longing rather than a specific action of wanting.

Historical & Contextual Notes

The noun אָבֶה appears only rarely in the Hebrew Bible. Its main attested use is in Deuteronomy 23:24[25], referring to a 'desire' (typically understood as a desire for grapes). This term captures inward emotional longing, distinct from verbs denoting outward actions or requests. Its limited appearances suggest that other terms (such as חֵפֶץ or תַּאֲוָה) were more common for expressing desire or pleasure. English translations often render it as 'desire' or 'wish,' but the nuance of deep emotional longing may be lost. There are no significant shifts in its meaning attested through the biblical periods, due to its rarity. In later Hebrew (post-biblical), related roots continue to be used for 'desire' or 'willingness,' but the noun אָבֶה itself does not become prominent.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from אָבָה; longing; desire.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

אב (ʾ-b) — fatherhood, ancestry, origin, source

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H1 אָב father of
H2 אַב your fathers
H21 אֲבִי my father
H24 אָבִיב his father
H29 אֲבִיָּה My Father is Yah

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H15-01 אָבִ֗י avi HTj My father my father 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 total occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H15-01 Job 34:36 אָבִ֗י avi HTj My father my father
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