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The Blue Letter Bible

Lexicon :: Strong's H157 - 'āhaḇ

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אָהַב
Transliteration
'āhaḇ
Pronunciation
aw-hav'
Listen
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).

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 Greek Version of the LXX 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 Greek Version of the LXX 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 5:1]1, 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.

1. Edited by BLB [An error was made in the original document incorrectly quoting 1 Kings 5:15]

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew and English Lexicon, Unabridged, Electronic Database.
Copyright © 2002, 2003, 2006 by Biblesoft, Inc.
All rights reserved. Used by permission. BibleSoft.com

BLB Scripture Index of Brown-Driver-Briggs

Genesis

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

Exodus

20:6; 21:5

Leviticus

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

Deuteronomy

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

Joshua

22:5; 23:11

Judges

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

Ruth

4:15

1 Samuel

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

2 Samuel

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

1 Kings

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

2 Chronicles

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

Nehemiah

1:5; 13:26; 13:26

Esther

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

Job

19:19

Psalms

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

Proverbs

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

Ecclesiastes

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

Song of Songs

1:3; 1:4; 1:7; 1:7; 3:1; 3:2; 3:3; 3:4

Isaiah

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

Jeremiah

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

Lamentations

1:2; 1:19

Ezekiel

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

Daniel

9:4

Hosea

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

Amos

4:5; 5:15; 5:15

Micah

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

Zechariah

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

Malachi

1:2; 1:2; 2:11

H157

Read the Full Entry

Word / Phrase / Strong's Search

Strong's Number H157 matches the Hebrew אָהַב ('āhaḇ),
which occurs 39 times in 39 verses in 'Psa' in the WLC Hebrew.

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Unchecked Copy BoxPsa 4:2

Unchecked Copy BoxPsa 4:2 - How long will you people turn my glory into shame? How long will you love delusions and seek false gods?[fn][fn]

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Unchecked Copy BoxPsa 5:11

Unchecked Copy BoxPsa 5:11 - But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.

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Unchecked Copy BoxPsa 11:5

Unchecked Copy BoxPsa 11:5 - The LORD examines the righteous, but the wicked, those who love violence, he hates with a passion.

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Unchecked Copy BoxPsa 11:7

Unchecked Copy BoxPsa 11:7 - For the LORD is righteous, he loves justice; the upright will see his face.

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Unchecked Copy BoxPsa 26:8

Unchecked Copy BoxPsa 26:8 - LORD, I love the house where you live, the place where your glory dwells.

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Unchecked Copy BoxPsa 31:23

Unchecked Copy BoxPsa 31:23 - Love the LORD, all his faithful people! The LORD preserves those who are true to him, but the proud he pays back in full.

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Unchecked Copy BoxPsa 33:5

Unchecked Copy BoxPsa 33:5 - The LORD loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love.

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Unchecked Copy BoxPsa 34:12

Unchecked Copy BoxPsa 34:12 - Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days,

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Unchecked Copy BoxPsa 37:28

Unchecked Copy BoxPsa 37:28 - For the LORD loves the just and will not forsake his faithful ones. Wrongdoers will be completely destroyed[fn]; the offspring of the wicked will perish.

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Unchecked Copy BoxPsa 38:11

Unchecked Copy BoxPsa 38:11 - My friends and companions avoid me because of my wounds; my neighbors stay far away.

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Unchecked Copy BoxPsa 40:16

Unchecked Copy BoxPsa 40:16 - But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who long for your saving help always say, “The LORD is great!”

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Unchecked Copy BoxPsa 45:7

Unchecked Copy BoxPsa 45:7 - You love righteousness and hate wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy.

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Unchecked Copy BoxPsa 47:4

Unchecked Copy BoxPsa 47:4 - He chose our inheritance for us, the pride of Jacob, whom he loved.[fn]

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Unchecked Copy BoxPsa 52:3

Unchecked Copy BoxPsa 52:3 - You love evil rather than good, falsehood rather than speaking the truth.[fn]

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Unchecked Copy BoxPsa 52:4

Unchecked Copy BoxPsa 52:4 - You love every harmful word, you deceitful tongue!

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Unchecked Copy BoxPsa 69:36

Unchecked Copy BoxPsa 69:36 - the children of his servants will inherit it, and those who love his name will dwell there.

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Unchecked Copy BoxPsa 70:4

Unchecked Copy BoxPsa 70:4 - But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who long for your saving help always say, “The LORD is great!”

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Unchecked Copy BoxPsa 78:68

Unchecked Copy BoxPsa 78:68 - but he chose the tribe of Judah, Mount Zion, which he loved.

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Unchecked Copy BoxPsa 87:2

Unchecked Copy BoxPsa 87:2 - The LORD loves the gates of Zion more than all the other dwellings of Jacob.

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Unchecked Copy BoxPsa 88:18

Unchecked Copy BoxPsa 88:18 - You have taken from me friend and neighbor— darkness is my closest friend.

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Unchecked Copy BoxPsa 97:10

Unchecked Copy BoxPsa 97:10 - Let those who love the LORD hate evil, for he guards the lives of his faithful ones and delivers them from the hand of the wicked.

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Unchecked Copy BoxPsa 99:4

Unchecked Copy BoxPsa 99:4 - The King is mighty, he loves justice— you have established equity; in Jacob you have done what is just and right.

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Unchecked Copy BoxPsa 109:17

Unchecked Copy BoxPsa 109:17 - He loved to pronounce a curse— may it come back on him. He found no pleasure in blessing— may it be far from him.

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Unchecked Copy BoxPsa 116:1

Unchecked Copy BoxPsa 116:1 - I love the LORD, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy.

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Unchecked Copy BoxPsa 119:47

Unchecked Copy BoxPsa 119:47 - for I delight in your commands because I love them.

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Unchecked Copy BoxPsa 119:48

Unchecked Copy BoxPsa 119:48 - I reach out for your commands, which I love, that I may meditate on your decrees.

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Unchecked Copy BoxPsa 119:97

Unchecked Copy BoxPsa 119:97 - Mem Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long.

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Unchecked Copy BoxPsa 119:113

Unchecked Copy BoxPsa 119:113 - Samekh I hate double-minded people, but I love your law.

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Unchecked Copy BoxPsa 119:119

Unchecked Copy BoxPsa 119:119 - All the wicked of the earth you discard like dross; therefore I love your statutes.

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Unchecked Copy BoxPsa 119:127

Unchecked Copy BoxPsa 119:127 - Because I love your commands more than gold, more than pure gold,

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Unchecked Copy BoxPsa 119:132

Unchecked Copy BoxPsa 119:132 - Turn to me and have mercy on me, as you always do to those who love your name.

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Unchecked Copy BoxPsa 119:140

Unchecked Copy BoxPsa 119:140 - Your promises have been thoroughly tested, and your servant loves them.

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Unchecked Copy BoxPsa 119:159

Unchecked Copy BoxPsa 119:159 - See how I love your precepts; preserve my life, LORD, in accordance with your love.

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Unchecked Copy BoxPsa 119:163

Unchecked Copy BoxPsa 119:163 - I hate and detest falsehood but I love your law.

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Unchecked Copy BoxPsa 119:165

Unchecked Copy BoxPsa 119:165 - Great peace have those who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble.

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Unchecked Copy BoxPsa 119:167

Unchecked Copy BoxPsa 119:167 - I obey your statutes, for I love them greatly.

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Unchecked Copy BoxPsa 122:6

Unchecked Copy BoxPsa 122:6 - Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “May those who love you be secure.

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Unchecked Copy BoxPsa 145:20

Unchecked Copy BoxPsa 145:20 - The LORD watches over all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy.

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Unchecked Copy BoxPsa 146:8

Unchecked Copy BoxPsa 146:8 - the LORD gives sight to the blind, the LORD lifts up those who are bowed down, the LORD loves the righteous.
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