אָהַב
To have affection for (sexually or otherwise)
Reading a lexicon entry
What this page is: Each lexicon entry shows the original Hebrew or Greek word behind the English translation: its meaning, its range of use, and where it appears in Scripture.
Strong's number: The Strong's code (H- or G-) is the standard reference number for this word. It connects this entry to chapter and passage language tabs.
Canonical witness: The witness passages show where this word is used in context. Click any to open the study page for that passage.
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What does אָהַב (ahav) mean in the Bible?
אָהַב (ahav) is a Hebrew word meaning "to have affection for (sexually or otherwise)". to have affection for (sexually or otherwise) BDB: love Usage: (be-) love(-d, -ly, -r), like, friend. Expresses Yahweh’s covenant affection. This term runs through the canonical themes of Covenant.
Meaning
Encompasses both covenant loyalty and emotional attachment; God's love combines protective choice with relational intimacy
to have affection for (sexually or otherwise) BDB: love Usage: (be-) love(-d, -ly, -r), like, friend.
Why This Word Matters
Expresses Yahweh’s covenant affection. Hosea 11:1-7
Defines divine covenant commitment despite infidelity. Hosea 3:1-5
Grammatical Forms
How the stem changes the meaning of this verb across the biblical text.
Qal basic active stem — the word in its most common, direct sense 90×
Canonical Themes
Biblical Occurrences
Each occurrence shows the passage reference, the original language term as it appears in that context, its transliteration, and the contextual sense.
Old Testament Witnesses
Showing 8 of 211 occurrences in the biblical text.
Appears In
Compound and idiomatic lexemes in which this word is a constituent. Follow a link to study the phrase and its other participating words.