אֹ֫הַב (o.hav)
o.hav
beloved
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The noun o.hav refers to a "loved object" or one who is beloved. In the Hebrew Bible, it appears only once, in Proverbs 6:26, where it describes the woman who captures a man’s soul. The word points to the person who is the focus of affection, rather than the act of loving itself.
Lexical sources note that this term can carry a specific nuance depending on context. While it generally means "beloved," some interpretations suggest it may refer to an idol worshipped with intense devotion, or even to carnal relationships in a broader sense. This rare usage highlights how deeply personal affection can become, whether directed toward a person or an object of desire.
Its single occurrence in Proverbs serves as a warning about the power of attraction. The text uses o.hav to illustrate how easily one’s inner life can be seized by external allurements. By focusing on the "loved object," the proverb emphasizes the vulnerability of the heart when it fixates on something outside proper boundaries.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word o.hav identifies the person or object that holds your heart's deepest affection. In Proverbs, it serves as a stark reminder of how powerful attraction can be when it leads us away from wisdom. It is not merely about feeling love, but about who or what captures your soul and demands your devotion.
When we reflect on this term, we are invited to examine the objects of our own desires. Are there relationships or pursuits that seize our inner life in ways that compromise our integrity? The text warns us that such intense focus can easily become a snare, pulling us from the path of righteousness into danger.
Yet this awareness is not meant to leave us in fear, but to guide us toward healthier affections. By recognizing the power of what we love, we can choose to direct our hearts toward what is true and good. May your loves align with wisdom, bringing peace rather than peril.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- with/ love<s>1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- בָּ/אֳהָבִֽים\׃1×
Key Verses
-
Proverbs 7:18
Come, let’s take our fill of loving until the morning. Let’s solace ourselves with loving.
This verse uses the related verb form to describe the seductive invitation that seeks to capture the soul through physical intimacy.