אָהַב
𐤀𐤄𐤁
ʼâhab
H157 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To feel or express love, affection, or attachment toward a person, group, object, or concept. The term encompasses emotional attachment, desire, friendship, familial love, loyalty, and even preference or willful choice, depending on context. In interpersonal usage, expresses affection or positive regard (between individuals, within families, or between a subject and deity); in non-personal or figurative contexts, refers to attachment to practices, actions, wisdom, or material things.
Semantic Range
to love (romantically, sexually, platonically), to have familial affection, to show friendship, to be loyal (in covenantal or political senses), to prefer, to be attached to (objects, practices, qualities), to cherish, to choose
Root / Etymology
Root: אהב. The root conveys the idea of love, affection, emotional or volitional attachment. While etymology is somewhat uncertain and no clear cognates are attested in other Semitic languages, the basic sense relates to emotional attachment or desire. The verb developed in Hebrew to express a wide range of affectionate and loyal relationships.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the Hebrew Bible, אָהַב (ʼâhab) is used for a broad spectrum of love, covering: affection between human beings (romantic, familial, friendly); covenantal loyalty, especially between YHWH and Israel; love of objects, wisdom, or actions; and even preference or selection. It predates Greek philosophical distinctions (such as eros, philia, agape), so context is essential. In patriarchal and monarchic periods, its usage emphasizes emotional attachment and covenantal faithfulness (e.g., Jacob’s love for Rachel; YHWH’s love for Israel). Later, especially in Deuteronomistic and prophetic literature, it reflects covenantal obligation as well as emotion. It contrasts with related words such as חֶסֶד (ḥesed, loyal love/steadfast kindness) or רֵעַ (re'a, friend, companion), which emphasize specific aspects of relationship. English translations typically render the word as 'love,' but the nuances of affection, friendship, or covenantal loyalty are sometimes lost. The term is not restricted to sexual or romantic love; it includes parental, filial, and even abstract or theological contexts. In some periods, 'to love' becomes synonymous with loyalty, especially in covenant language (e.g., Deut. 6:5). Later traditions, including Greek and English translations, sometimes narrow or alter the semantic range, using 'love' where broader meanings (such as loyalty or preference) may be intended in Hebrew.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
or אָהֵב ; a primitive root; to have affection for (sexually or otherwise); (be-) love(-d, -ly, -r), like, friend.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
אהב (ʾ-h-b) — love, affection, attachment, desire, loyalty
Word Forms
79 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H157-51 |
אֹהֵ֖ב | ohev | HVqrmsa |
loves | one who loves | 26 |
H157-07 |
אָהַ֛בְתִּי | ahaveti | HVqp1cs |
I love | I have loved | 15 |
H157-32 |
לְ/אַהֲבָ֣ה | leahavah | HR/Vqc |
to love | to love | 10 |
H157-65 |
וַ/יֶּאֱהַ֥ב | vayeehav | HC/Vqw3ms |
and he loved | and he loved | 9 |
H157-11 |
אָהֵֽב | ahev | HVqp3ms |
he loved | he loved | 9 |
H157-38 |
מְאַהֲבָֽיִ/ךְ | meahavayikhe | HVprmpc/Sp2fs |
your lovers | your loving-ones | 6 |
H157-02 |
אָהַ֨בְתָּ֙ | ahaveta | HVqp2ms |
you have loved | you loved | 6 |
H157-39 |
מְאַהֲבֶ֔י/הָ | meahaveyha | HVprmpc/Sp3fs |
her lovers | her loving-ones | 5 |
H157-53 |
שֶׁ֤/אָהֲבָה֙ | sheahavah | HTr/Vqp3fs |
whom I love | that she loved | 5 |
H157-46 |
אֹהֲבֵ֖י | ohavey | HVqrmpc |
lovers | lovers of | 5 |
Occurrences in Scripture
211 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H157-02 |
Genesis 22:2 | אָהַ֨בְתָּ֙ | ahaveta | HVqp2ms |
you love | you loved |
H157-66 |
Genesis 24:67 | וַ/יֶּאֱהָבֶ֑/הָ | vayeehaveha | HC/Vqw3ms/Sp3fs |
and he loved her | and he loved her |
H157-65 |
Genesis 25:28 | וַ/יֶּאֱהַ֥ב | vayeehav | HC/Vqw3ms |
loved | and he loved |
H157-52 |
Genesis 25:28 | אֹהֶ֥בֶת | ohevet | HVqrfsa |
loved | she who loves |
H157-07 |
Genesis 27:4 | אָהַ֛בְתִּי | ahaveti | HVqp1cs |
I love | I have loved |
H157-11 |
Genesis 27:9 | אָהֵֽב | ahev | HVqp3ms |
he loves | he loved |
H157-11 |
Genesis 27:14 | אָהֵ֥ב | ahev | HVqp3ms |
loved | he loved |
H157-65 |
Genesis 29:18 | וַ/יֶּאֱהַ֥ב | vayeehav | HC/Vqw3ms |
and loved | and he loved |
H157-21 |
Genesis 29:20 | בְּ/אַהֲבָת֖/וֹ | beahavato | HR/Ncfsc/Sp3ms |
because of his love | in his love |
H157-65 |
Genesis 29:30 | וַ/יֶּאֱהַ֥ב | vayeehav | HC/Vqw3ms |
and he loved | and he loved |