אָהַב
Transliteration
'āhaḇ
Pronunciation
aw-hab'
Part of Speech
verb
Root Word (Etymology)
A primitive root
Dictionary Aids

TWOT Reference: 29

Strong’s Definitions

אָהַב ʼâhab, aw-hab'; or אָהֵב ʼâhêb ; a primitive root; to have affection for (sexually or otherwise):—(be-) love(-d, -ly, -r), like, friend.

KJV Translation Count — Total: 208x

The KJV translates Strong's H157 in the following manner: love (169x), lover(s) (19x), friend(s) (12x), beloved (5x), liketh (1x), lovely (1x), loving (1x).

  1. to love

    1. (Qal)

      1. human love for another, includes family, and sexual

      2. human appetite for objects such as food, drink, sleep, wisdom

      3. human love for or to God

      4. act of being a friend

        1. lover (participle)

        2. friend (participle)

      5. God's love toward man

        1. to individual men

        2. to people Israel

        3. to righteousness

    2. (Niphal)

      1. lovely (participle)

      2. loveable (participle)

    3. (Piel)

      1. friends

      2. lovers (fig. of adulterers)

  2. to like

Strong’s Definitions [?](Strong’s Definitions Legend)
אָהַב ʼâhab, aw-hab'; or אָהֵב ʼâhêb ; a primitive root; to have affection for (sexually or otherwise):—(be-) love(-d, -ly, -r), like, friend.
STRONGS H157: Abbreviations
אָהֵב 216 verb love —
Qal Perfect אָהֵ֑ב Genesis 27:9 + 7 times; אָשֵהבּ Genesis 27:14; אָהַב Genesis 37:3 + 3 times; אֲֵֽֽֽהבָךָ Deuteronomy 15:16; 3rd person feminine singular אָֽהֲבָה Songs 1:7 +, etc.; Imperfect (־הָ֑ב) יֶאֱהַב Proverbs 3:12 +; 1st person singular אֵהָ֑ב Proverbs 8:17 (compare Ew§ 192 d Ges§ 68. 1); וָֽאֹהַב Malachi 1:2; וָאֹהֲבֵהוּ Hosea 11:1; אֹהֲבֵם Hosea 14:5; וָאֹהֲבֵם Psalm 119:167; 2nd person masculine plural תְּאֵהֲבוּ Proverbs 1:22 (compare KöI p. 394 Ges§ 63 R 2); תֶּאֱהָ֑בוּ Zechariah 8:17; תָּאֱהָבוּן Psalm 4:3; Imperative אֱהַב־ Hosea 3:1; אֱהָבֶהָ Proverbs 4:6; אֶהֱבוּ Psalm 31:24; Amos 5:15; אֱהָ֑בוּ Zechariah 8:19; Infinitive construct אֱהֹב Ecclesiastes 3:8; אַהֲבָה Deuteronomy 10:12 +; אֲהֲבַת Micah 6:8 + etc.; compare also below n. אהבה below; Participle אֹהֵב (אוֺהֵב) Deuteronomy 10:18 + 26 times; feminine construct אֲהֻבַת Hosea 3:1 is probably active compare BaNB 174 ff; suffix אֹהֲבִי Isaiah 41:8 etc.; feminine אֹהֶ֫בֶת Genesis 25:28; אֹהַ֫בְתִּי Hosea 10:11 etc.; Passive participle אָהוּב Nehemiah 13:26; אֲהוּבָה Deuteronomy 21:15 (twice in verse); Deuteronomy 21:16. — love (mostly with accusative, followed by לְ + object Leviticus 19:18, 34; 2 Chronicles 19:2 (late), followed by בְּ Ecclesiastes 5:9; absolute Ecclesiastes 3:8 & see below), (affection both pure & impure, divine & human); —
1. human love to human object; absolute, opposed to hate שָׂנֵא Ecclesiastes 3:8; of love to son Genesis 22:2; Genesis 25:28; Genesis 37:3, 4; Genesis 44:20 (JE) Proverbs 13:24; so also 2 Samuel 13:21 Ew Th We, compare Dr, of David's loving Amnon; never to parent, but mother-in-law Ruth 4:15; of man's love to woman; wife Genesis 24:67; Genesis 29:20, 30 (compare Genesis 29:18):32 (JE), also Deuteronomy 21:15 (twice in verse); Deuteronomy 21:16; Judges 14:16; 1 Samuel 1:5; 2 Chronicles 11:21; Esther 2:17; Hosea 3:1; Ecclesiastes 9:9; but also Genesis 34:3 (J) Judges 16:4, 15; 2 Samuel 13:1, 4, 15 (where of carnal desire) 1 Kings 11:1 compare 1 Kings 11:2; Hosea 3:1; רֵעַ א׳ loving a paramour, see BaNB 176; woman's love to man 1 Samuel 18:20 (so 1 Samuel 18:28 MT, but read וְבִי כָל־יִשְׂרָאֵל אֹהֵב אֹתוֺ We Dr) Songs 1:3, 4, 7; Songs 3:1, 2, 3, 4 (5 times subject נַפְשִׁי); compare also figurative of adulterous Judah Jeremiah 2:25; Isaiah 57:8; Ezekiel 16:37; of love of slave to master Exodus 21:5 (JE) Deuteronomy 15:16; inferior to superior 1 Samuel 18:22 compare 1 Samuel 18:16; love to neighbour Leviticus 19:18 (וְאָהַבְתָּ לְרֵעֲךָ כָּמוֺ֑ךָ), particularly to stranger Leviticus 19:34 (both P), Deuteronomy 10:18, 19; love of friend to friend 1 Samuel 16:21; 1 Samuel 18:1, 3; 1 Samuel 20:17 (twice in verse); Job 19:19; Proverbs 17:1 compare 2 Samuel 19:7 (twice in verse); 2 Chronicles 19:2; see also Proverbs 9:8; Proverbs 16:13; compare Proverbs 15:12; see especially Participle below.
2. less often of appetite, object food, Genesis 27:7, 9, 14 (JE); drink Hosea 3:1; Proverbs 21:17; husbandry 2 Chronicles 26:10; compare figurative of Ephraim Hosea 10:11 followed by infinitive; length of life Psalm 34:13; of cupidity Hosea 9:1; 1 Samuel 1:23; Ecclesiastes 5:9 (twice in verse); of love of sleep Proverbs 20:13 compare figurative of sluggish watchmen (followed by infinitive) Isaiah 56:10; also with object abstract wisdom (personified), knowledge, righteousness, etc. Proverbs 4:6; Proverbs 8:17, 21; Proverbs 12:1; Proverbs 22:11; Proverbs 29:3; Amos 5:15; Micah 6:8 (infinitive || infinitives) Zechariah 8:19, compare Proverbs 19:8 קֹנֶה לֵב אֹהֵב נַפְשׁוֺ; object folly, evil, etc., Micah 3:2; Micah 4:3; Psalm 11:5; Psalm 52:5; Psalm 52:6; Psalm 109:17; Proverbs 1:22; Proverbs 8:36; Proverbs 17:19 (twice in verse), compare Proverbs 18:21; Zechariah 8:17, compare כֵּן א׳ Amos 4:5; Jeremiah 5:3, followed by Infinitive Hosea 12:8; Jeremiah 14:10, especially of idolatry Hosea 4:13 (where strike out הֵבוּ compare Kö1. p. 395) Jeremiah 8:2.
3. love to God Exodus 20:6 (JE) elsewhere Hexateuch only Deuteronomy 5:10; Deuteronomy 6:5; Deuteronomy 7:9 + 9 times Deuteronomy + Joshua 22:5; Joshua 23:11; also Judges 5:31; 1 Kings 3:3; Nehemiah 1:5; Daniel 9:4; especially in (late) Psalm 31:24; Psalm 116:1; Psalm 145:20, but usually followed by name, law, etc. of י׳ Psalm 5:12; Psalm 26:8; Psalm 40:17; Psalm 69:37; Psalm 70:5; Psalm 97:10; Psalm 119:47 + 11 times Psalm 119; compare Isaiah 56:6; compare also of love to Jerusalem Isaiah 66:10; Psalm 122:6.
4. especially Participle אֹהֵב =
(a) lover, Lamentations 1:2 (figurative of Jerusalem);
(b) friend Hiram of David 1 Kings 5:15, compare Jeremiah 20:4, 6; Esther 5:10, 14; Esther 6:13; Psalm 38:12 (|| רֵעַ) so Psalm 88:19 [Psalm 88:18], Proverbs 14:20; also Proverbs 18:24; Proverbs 27:6; Abraham of God Isaiah 41:8; 2 Chronicles 20:7.
5. of divine love...
(a) to individual men Deuteronomy 4:37; 2 Samuel 12:24; Proverbs 3:12; Proverbs 15:9; Psalm 146:8; Nehemiah 13:26;
(b) to people Israel, etc. Deuteronomy 7:8, 13; Deuteronomy 23:6; Hosea 3:1; Hosea 9:15; Hosea 11:1; Hosea 14:5; 1 Kings 10:9; 2 Chronicles 2:10; 2 Chronicles 9:8; Isaiah 43:4; Isaiah 48:14; Jeremiah 31:3; Malachi 1:2 (3 times in verse); Psalm 47:5; to Jerusalem Psalm 78:68; Psalm 87:2;
(c) to righteousness, etc. Psalm 11:7; Psalm 33:5; Psalm 37:28; Psalm 45:8; Psalm 99:4; Isaiah 61:8; Malachi 2:11.
Niph. Participle plural הַנֶּאֱהָבִים 2 Samuel 1:23 lovely, loveable of Saul & Jonath. (|| הַנְּעִימִם).
Pi. Participle plural suffix (־בָ֑י) מְאַהֲבַי Hosea 2:7 + 3 times; (־בָ֑יִח) מְאַהֲבַיִח Jeremiah 22:20 + 6 times; מְאַהֲבֶיהָ Hosea 2:9 + 4 times
1. friends Zechariah 13:6;
2. lovers in figure of adulterous Israel Hosea 2:7; Hosea 2:9; Hosea 2:12; Hosea 2:14; Hosea 2:15; Ezekiel 23:5, 9; Judah Jeremiah 22:20, 22; Jeremiah 30:14; Lamentations 1:19; Ezekiel 16:33, 36, 37; Ezekiel 23:22.
Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew and English Lexicon, Unabridged, Electronic Database.
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References

Genesis

Genesis 22:2; Genesis 24:67; Genesis 25:28; Genesis 25:28; Genesis 27:7; Genesis 27:9; Genesis 27:9; Genesis 27:14; Genesis 27:14; Genesis 29:18; Genesis 29:20; Genesis 29:30; Genesis 34:3; Genesis 37:3; Genesis 37:3; Genesis 37:4; Genesis 44:20

Exodus

Exodus 20:6; Exodus 21:5

Leviticus

Leviticus 19:18; Leviticus 19:18; Leviticus 19:34; Leviticus 19:34

Deuteronomy

Deuteronomy 4:37; Deuteronomy 5:10; Deuteronomy 6:5; Deuteronomy 7:8; Deuteronomy 7:9; Deuteronomy 7:13; Deuteronomy 10:12; Deuteronomy 10:18; Deuteronomy 10:18; Deuteronomy 10:19; Deuteronomy 15:16; Deuteronomy 15:16; Deuteronomy 21:15; Deuteronomy 21:15; Deuteronomy 21:16; Deuteronomy 21:16; Deuteronomy 23:6

Joshua

Joshua 22:5; Joshua 23:11

Judges

Judges 5:31; Judges 14:16; Judges 16:4; Judges 16:15

Ruth

Ruth 4:15

1 Samuel

1 Samuel 1:5; 1 Samuel 1:23; 1 Samuel 16:21; 1 Samuel 18:1; 1 Samuel 18:3; 1 Samuel 18:16; 1 Samuel 18:20; 1 Samuel 18:22; 1 Samuel 18:28; 1 Samuel 20:17

2 Samuel

2 Samuel 1:23; 2 Samuel 12:24; 2 Samuel 13:1; 2 Samuel 13:4; 2 Samuel 13:15; 2 Samuel 13:21; 2 Samuel 19:7

1 Kings

1 Kings 3:3; 1 Kings 5:15; 1 Kings 10:9; 1 Kings 11:1; 1 Kings 11:2

2 Chronicles

2 Chronicles 2:10; 2 Chronicles 9:8; 2 Chronicles 11:21; 2 Chronicles 19:2; 2 Chronicles 19:2; 2 Chronicles 20:7; 2 Chronicles 26:10

Nehemiah

Nehemiah 1:5; Nehemiah 13:26; Nehemiah 13:26

Esther

Esther 2:17; Esther 5:10; Esther 5:14; Esther 6:13

Job

Job 19:19

Psalms

Psalms 4:3; Psalms 5:12; Psalms 11:5; Psalms 11:7; Psalms 26:8; Psalms 31:24; Psalms 31:24; Psalms 33:5; Psalms 34:13; Psalms 37:28; Psalms 38:12; Psalms 40:17; Psalms 45:8; Psalms 47:5; Psalms 52:5; Psalms 52:6; Psalms 70:5; Psalms 78:68; Psalms 87:2; Psalms 88:18; Psalms 97:10; Psalms 99:4; Psalms 109:17; Psalms 116:1; 119; Psalms 119:47; Psalms 119:167; Psalms 122:6; Psalms 145:20; Psalms 146:8

Proverbs

Proverbs 1:22; Proverbs 1:22; Proverbs 3:12; Proverbs 3:12; Proverbs 4:6; Proverbs 4:6; Proverbs 8:17; Proverbs 8:17; Proverbs 8:21; Proverbs 8:36; Proverbs 9:8; Proverbs 12:1; Proverbs 13:24; Proverbs 14:20; Proverbs 15:9; Proverbs 15:12; Proverbs 16:13; Proverbs 17:1; Proverbs 17:19; Proverbs 18:21; Proverbs 18:24; Proverbs 19:8; Proverbs 20:13; Proverbs 21:17; Proverbs 22:11; Proverbs 27:6; Proverbs 29:3

Ecclesiastes

Ecclesiastes 3:8; Ecclesiastes 3:8; Ecclesiastes 3:8; Ecclesiastes 5:9; Ecclesiastes 5:9; Ecclesiastes 9:9

Song of Songs

Song of Songs 1:3; Song of Songs 1:4; Song of Songs 1:7; Song of Songs 1:7; Song of Songs 3:1; Song of Songs 3:2; Song of Songs 3:3; Song of Songs 3:4

Isaiah

Isaiah 41:8; Isaiah 41:8; Isaiah 43:4; Isaiah 48:14; Isaiah 56:6; Isaiah 56:10; Isaiah 57:8; Isaiah 61:8; Isaiah 66:10

Jeremiah

Jeremiah 2:25; Jeremiah 5:3; Jeremiah 8:2; Jeremiah 14:10; Jeremiah 20:4; Jeremiah 20:6; Jeremiah 22:20; Jeremiah 22:20; Jeremiah 22:22; Jeremiah 30:14; Jeremiah 31:3

Lamentations

Lamentations 1:2; Lamentations 1:19

Ezekiel

Ezekiel 16:33; Ezekiel 16:36; Ezekiel 16:37; Ezekiel 16:37; Ezekiel 23:5; Ezekiel 23:9; Ezekiel 23:22

Daniel

Daniel 9:4

Hosea

Hosea 2:7; Hosea 2:7; Hosea 2:9; Hosea 2:9; Hosea 2:12; Hosea 2:14; Hosea 2:15; Hosea 3:1; Hosea 3:1; Hosea 3:1; Hosea 3:1; Hosea 3:1; Hosea 3:1; Hosea 4:13; Hosea 9:1; Hosea 9:15; Hosea 10:11; Hosea 10:11; Hosea 11:1; Hosea 11:1; Hosea 12:8; Hosea 14:5; Hosea 14:5

Amos

Amos 4:5; Amos 5:15; Amos 5:15

Micah

Micah 3:2; Micah 4:3; Micah 6:8; Micah 6:8

Zechariah

Zechariah 8:17; Zechariah 8:17; Zechariah 8:19; Zechariah 8:19; Zechariah 13:6

Malachi

Malachi 1:2; Malachi 1:2; Malachi 2:11