אָהֵב (a.hav)
a.hav
to love: lover
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 166 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb ahab signifies a deep affection or desire that encompasses both human relationships and divine favor. In the Old Testament, it describes the bond between family members, as seen when Isaac loved Esau (Genesis 25:28), and the intense romantic attachment between David and Jonathan (1 Samuel 18:1). It also extends to personal appetites, such as a love for wisdom or sleep, indicating that the word covers the full spectrum of human longing.
A particularly important usage appears in the command to love one’s neighbor as oneself (Leviticus 19:18), establishing a standard for ethical conduct. The term is also used to describe God’s elective love for Israel (Deuteronomy 4:37) and His delight in righteousness. Translators often render it simply as "love," though the Hebrew conveys a strong, active commitment rather than a passive feeling.
The participle ohev frequently means "friend" or "lover," highlighting that this love creates intimate bonds. Unlike modern distinctions between different types of love, ahab unites romantic passion, familial duty, and spiritual devotion into a single concept of devoted attachment.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word ahab describes a love that is active, committed, and deeply personal. It is not merely a fleeting emotion but a steady choice to value another person above all else. When Scripture commands us to love our neighbor or God, it invites us into this same kind of devoted attachment. This love shows up in daily actions, whether it is caring for family, showing kindness to strangers, or remaining faithful to God’s covenant.
In your own life, ahab reminds you that love is something you do, not just something you feel. It calls you to invest time and energy into the people God has placed in your path. This might look like patience with a difficult relative, generosity toward someone in need, or consistent prayer for your community. Such love builds trust and reflects the character of God, who loves His people with unwavering faithfulness.
As you reflect on this word, consider how you can express this kind of committed love this week. It does not require grand gestures but rather a heart willing to serve and care for others. May you find joy in the simple, faithful acts that strengthen your relationships and bring glory to God.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 166 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- I love15×
- to/ love9×
- and/ he loved9×
- he loves8×
- [is] loving8×
- he loved7×
- [one who] loves6×
- you love5×
- and/ you will love5×
- whom/ it loves4×
- to/ [those who] love/ him3×
- they love/ you3×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- אֹהֵ֣ב9×
- לְ/אַהֲבָ֞ה5×
- וַ/יֶּאֱהַ֥ב4×
- אֹהֵ֥ב4×
- שֶׁ/אָהֲבָ֖ה3×
- אָהָֽבְתִּי\׃3×
- אָהַ֥בְתִּי3×
- לְ/אֹהֲבָ֖י/ו2×
- לְ/אֹהֲבַ֖/י2×
- יֶאֱהָֽב\׃2×
- וַ/יֶּאֱהַ֨ב2×
- וְ/אֹהֵ֣ב2×
Key Verses
-
Leviticus 19:18
“‘You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people; but you shall love your neighbor as yourself. I am Yahweh.
This verse establishes ahab as the ethical standard for treating others with the same care and respect you give yourself.
-
Deuteronomy 6:5
You shall love Yahweh your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your might.
Here, ahab defines the total devotion of heart, soul, and might that God requires from His people.
-
Genesis 22:2
He said, “Now take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go into the land of Moriah. Offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains which I will tell you of.”
Abraham’s love for Isaac is tested here, showing that ahab involves deep personal attachment even in painful circumstances.
-
Deuteronomy 10:15
Only Yahweh had a delight in your fathers to love them, and he chose their offspring after them, even you above all peoples, as it is today.
This passage highlights God’s elective love, showing that His choice of Israel was rooted in His delight and affection for them.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Hebrew word ahab mean?
How is ahab different from other words for love?
Where does ahab appear in the Bible?
Every Occurrence (166 verses across 27 books)
Genesis 13 verses
He said, “Now take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go into the land of Moriah. Offer him there as a…
Genesis 24:67Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah’s tent, and took Rebekah, and she became his wife. He loved her. So Isaac was…
Genesis 25:28Now Isaac loved Esau, because he ate his venison. Rebekah loved Jacob.
Genesis 27:4Make me savory food, such as I love, and bring it to me, that I may eat, and that my soul may bless you before I die.”
Genesis 27:9Go now to the flock and get me two good young goats from there. I will make them savory food for your father, such as…
Genesis 27:14He went, and got them, and brought them to his mother. His mother made savory food, such as his father loved.
Genesis 29:18Jacob loved Rachel. He said, “I will serve you seven years for Rachel, your younger daughter.”
Genesis 29:30He went in also to Rachel, and he loved also Rachel more than Leah, and served with him seven more years.
Genesis 29:32Leah conceived, and bore a son, and she named him Reuben. For she said, “Because Yahweh has looked at my affliction;…
Genesis 34:3His soul joined to Dinah, the daughter of Jacob, and he loved the young lady, and spoke kindly to the young lady.
Genesis 37:3Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age, and he made him a tunic of…
Genesis 37:4His brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, and they hated him, and couldn’t speak…
Genesis 44:20We said to my lord, ‘We have a father, an old man, and a child of his old age, a little one; and his brother is dead,…