3 Hebrew Words for Love You Should Know

Friday, February 15, 2019, 01:44 pm

Sincewe just celebrated #LoveDay, let’s take a look at what the Bible teaches about love. Throughout God’s Word, we can watch several types of love depicted in the lives of God’s people. The Bible includes both Greek and Hebrew words for love, and each one has a specific meaning. At ourchurch in Sydney, we enjoy learning more about God's Word.

Heb

“Now when he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.”

1 Samuel 18:1

According to Strong’s Concordance, “aheb” means to delight in, to desire, and to be attached to. It speaks of a tender, earnest love that desires to see and be in the presence of its object.

The Bible uses “aheb” to describe God’s tender love and mercies for His people in Isaiah 43:4, “Since you were precious in My sight, You have been honored, And I have loved you; Therefore I will give men for you, And people for your life.”

It also describes the friendship love between David and Jonathan, the tender love between Isaac and Rebekah, and the parental love of Abraham for Isaac.

Heblove is unselfish, serving the beloved and making sacrifices for him or her. We should strive to love one another like this.

Chabab

“Yes, He loves the people; All His saints are in Your hand; They sit down at Your feet; Everyone receives Your words.”

Deuteronomy 33:3

Next, the Hebrew word “chabab” means to “…to hide (as in the bosom), i.e. To cherish (with affection) -- love.” This love draws its object close, with a desire to cherish and protect it. It is unwilling that any harm should come to the beloved, and is willing to protect its object at any cost.

God loves His people with “chabab” love and desires to have close fellowship with them. He wants to hear our voice often.

Chashaq

“Indeed it was for my own peace That I had great bitterness; But You have lovingly delivered my soul from the pit of corruption, For You have cast all my sins behind Your back.”

Isaiah 38:17

According to Strong’s, the word “chashaq” means to “have a delight, have a desire, fillet, long, set in love.” It can refer to God’s love for His people (Deuteronomy 10:15), a man’s love for a woman (Genesis 34:8), or our love for God (Psam 91:14).

Chashaqlove speaks of a deliberate choice to love someone or something. Similar toheblove, this love longs to spend time with its object. For example, God chose to love Israel with a special love. And He loves all people and desires them to be saved.

In response to God’s love for us, we ought to set our love on Him and delight in Him. Jesus describes this type of love in John 14:23, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.”

As Christians, let’s remember how much God loves us. He loves us with tenderness ofheblove, the protection ofchabablove, and the delight ofchashaqlove. At ourchurch in Sydney, we're so thankful for His love!Let’s draw close to Him and experience sweet fellowship.

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Have you ever heard of these Biblical types of love? Looking for achurch in Sydney? Join us to learn about God each week by worshipping with the welcoming church family ofWestside Bible Chapel– Sunday mornings at 11:00 am.

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References:

Bible Hub. 2019. Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible.