אַ֫הַב (a.hav)
a.hav
lover
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The noun ahab refers to love or affection, appearing only in its plural form as ahavim in the Hebrew Bible. This grammatical quirk means the word typically translates to "loves" or "amours," describing specific instances or acts of affection rather than the abstract concept itself. It occurs in just two verses, allowing each usage to carry significant weight.
In Proverbs 5:19, the term describes the passionate desire for one’s wife, framing marital love as a joyful and exclusive bond. Hosea 9:10 uses the plural to recall Israel’s early devotion to God, comparing it to finding grapes in the wilderness or figs in their first season. The sources note that this word captures the tangible expressions of love, grounding the emotion in real relationships and historical moments.
While other Hebrew words like hesed emphasize covenant loyalty, ahab focuses on the emotional attraction and mutual delight between individuals. Its rarity in Scripture highlights how specific these references are, pointing to personal affection rather than general benevolence. Translators often render it as "loves" or "affection," preserving the plural sense that multiple acts or feelings are involved.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word ahavim points to love as something tangible and active. Unlike abstract ideas, these verses show affection in motion—whether in the joy of marriage or the history of a nation. It reminds us that faith is not just a feeling but a series of choices and actions.
In Proverbs 5:19, this term celebrates the delight found in a spouse. It encourages believers to cherish their partners with genuine enthusiasm and exclusive commitment. This perspective honors marriage as a sacred bond filled with mutual joy.
Hosea 8:9 offers a different view, warning against seeking affection from false sources. It shows how easily people can drift toward relationships that do not honor God. Yet, the very use of this word highlights our deep need for connection and love in every season of life.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- loves1×
- lovers1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- אֲהָבִֽים1×
- אֲהָבִ֗ים1×
Key Verses
-
Proverbs 5:19
A loving doe and a graceful deer— let her breasts satisfy you at all times. Be captivated always with her love.
This verse uses the plural form to describe ongoing, active delight in one's spouse, framing marital affection as a joyful and exclusive commitment.
-
Hosea 8:9
For they have gone up to Assyria, like a wild donkey wandering alone. Ephraim has hired lovers for himself.
Here the term refers to hired lovers or political alliances, illustrating how Israel sought security through foreign relationships rather than trusting God.