אֹהַב
𐤀𐤄𐤁
ʼôhab
H159 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A person who loves, lover, or one who is emotionally attached; can denote a person with affection toward another (as in a friend, companion, or beloved), including both positive and, more rarely, illicit or inappropriate affections. The term primarily indicates a personal, emotional attachment, not merely courteous regard, and is distinguished from terms for kinsman or formal friend by its emphasis on emotive bond and sometimes erotic context.
Semantic Range
lover (romantic or sexual), beloved (one who is loved), person with deep affection, beloved companion, political ally with close bond, sometimes illicit partner
Root / Etymology
Derived from the root אָהַב (אהב), meaning 'to love, have affection for, desire.' The noun form אֹהַב represents the one who loves or is characterized by loving. The root itself appears in multiple stems and is widely used for various types of love, both in human relationships (between family members, spouses, friends) and figuratively in expressions of affection between God and people, though the noun אֹהַב is usually restricted to human-to-human contexts.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the Hebrew Bible, אֹהַב is infrequent and usually refers to a human lover or one professing deep affection, in contrast to friend (רֵעַ reaʿ) or companion (יָדִיד yadid), which can carry broader or more formal connotations. In poetic texts like Proverbs and Song of Songs, אֹהַב can refer specifically to a romantic or sexual partner. While the English word 'lover' can carry purely erotic or casual implications, the Biblical sense includes deep emotional commitment, and not all uses are tied to romantic or sexual love. In Ioel and Samuel, אֹהַב may refer to a political ally or one bound by covenant loyalty. In later Hebrew and Aramaic, the word's sense can expand to designate a ‘close associate’ or ‘favorite,’ but in biblical contexts, it almost never refers to ordinary friendship or kinship. The term lacks the broader national-religious connotation found in later terms like 'friend of God.' In some English versions, 'lover' is used to translate אֹהַב where an illicit relationship or adultery is implied, but care should be taken to note that this is not intrinsic to the word itself, only to context.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from אָדַשׁ; meaning the same as אַהַב; {affection (in a good or a bad sense)}; love.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
אהב (ʾ-h-b) — to love, to have affection, to desire
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H159-01 |
בָּ/אֳהָבִֽים | baohavim | HR/Ncmpa |
with loves | in lovers | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H159-01 |
Proverbs 7:18 | בָּ/אֳהָבִֽים | baohavim | HR/Ncmpa |
with loves | in lovers |