AHAV (LOVE)

 

In the original NT, the Greek words “agapao/agape” and “phileo/philia” were used for the word “love.” Usually, agape is described as “selfless, sacrificial love,” while phileo is “brotherly love or affection.” There is another Greek word for love, but it was not used in the NT—eros, which refers to “passionate sexual desire.” Interestingly, in the OT, only one word is used: ahav (אָהַב). While Greek has different terms for different kinds of relationships, Hebrew uses just one for all. The term “denotes the concept of love, encompassing a range of meanings from deep affection and friendship to romantic and covenantal love. It is used to describe the love between individuals, such as familial love, friendship, and marital love, as well as the love between God and His people.” (Strong)

“Ahav” (sometimes spelled ahab or aheb) is a dynamic word. Even though its simple meaning is “to love,” it carries with it rich ideas that bring depth whenever we encounter it in our Bibles. J.A. Benner, a Bible translator and expert, said that the term can be traced back to the ancient Hebrew pictograph of a man looking toward a house. This shows that originally, ahav means “to provide and protect that which is given as a privilege. An intimacy of action and emotion. Strong affection for another arising from personal ties.” Based on his research, the term expresses the idea of valuing something or someone as a gift, such as family, which one does not choose but simply receives. In that culture (as often still today), one could not choose their parents or siblings. Even marriage was not normally the personal decision of the couple but rather the choice of the head of the family or clan. From this background, we can understand that love from the original Jewish perspective is not merely about emotions but primarily about action—treating something/someone as a privilege to be cherished.

We see its meaning more clearly in how it is used in passages. It was frequently used to describe the attachment between a man and woman in a noble sense (Gen 24:67; 29:20; 1 Sam 1:5; etc.). But sometimes it was also used to describe attraction that was most likely lust (Gen 34:4; Judg 16:4; 2 Sam 13:4, 15; etc.). This shows that even in ancient times, “love” could sometimes be misused or abused! Since ahav is rarely used to describe family relationships in the Bible, another nuance emerges: love as preference. In other words, love is about choosing. When someone is said to be loved, it usually means they are preferred and viewed as special. Perhaps one of the best examples is in Gen 29:20: “So Jacob served seven years to get Rachel, but they seemed like only a few days to him because of his love for her.”

Love in the OT is not only seen in human relationships but also in God’s relationship with His people. The book of Hosea beautifully expressed God’s ahav toward Israel, using the analogy of husband and wife. Just as Hosea initiated love toward Gomer, a prostitute, the initiative to love Israel also came from the Lord. God’s love was the cord that drew Israel to Him (Hos 11:4). The imagery of parent and child is also used to describe His love (Hos 11:1, 4). His ahav was shown in how He provided for and protected them as His own family. Moreover, Yahweh’s love is a love of preference. He chose to love His people even though they were undeserving. That is why “love” is often paired with “choose” in the OT (Deut 4:37; 7:7–8; 10:15; Mal 1:2–3; Ps 47:4; etc.). Because of His love for them, God demanded that they love Him back wholeheartedly (Deut 6:5)—that is, to worship Him above all else and remain faithful to Him.

______

Although the NT employs Greek terms for love, it seems that Jewish writers retained the Hebrew concept. And we saw the greatest expression of God’s love when Jesus came! Christ was the fullest revelation of God’s ahav. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son” (Jn 3:16). Because of His great love, He chose us and considered us special. “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light” (1 Pet 2:9).

Sources and Studies:

Benner, J. (2009). “Dictionary Verbs- Aleph”. 𝘈𝘯𝘤𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘏𝘦𝘣𝘳𝘦𝘸 𝘋𝘪𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘳𝘺. Ancient Hebrew Research Center
Benner, J. (2005). “1094 Love”. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘈𝘯𝘤𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘏𝘦𝘣𝘳𝘦𝘸 𝘓𝘦𝘹𝘪𝘤𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘉𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘦. Ancient Hebrew Research Center
McKenzie, J.L (1965). “Love”. 𝘋𝘪𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘉𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘦. McMillian Publishing.
Strong, J. (1890). 𝘚𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘨'𝘴 𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘤𝘰𝘳𝘥𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 (𝘏 157). Retrieved from https://biblehub.com/hebrew/157.htm