{Love} Love’s meaning in Hebrew

Written By: Amie Comber

In our world, we throw around the word “love” as if it means to “like something.”  I can love my taco, love my coffee, while also loving my friends and my family.  We say “love” to the girl we have just met, and to the Grandfather that is taking his last breaths.  Love ranges from loving an outfit, to loving our Heavenly Father.  I wanted to take a minute to look at the word “love” a little closer.

The Hebrew language is unlike our own in a million ways.  This past year I have had the unique opportunity to study some of it and have loved seeing the ancient writing grace my pages.  In our alphabet, the letter “A” simply means a sound.  But in the Hebrew alphabet, each letter is almost like a character in a story.  A capital letter carries with it a deeper meaning, and the lower case letter also has another story that goes along with the shape/ picture the letter creates.

When looking at the word “love”, it translates to “Ahava” in the Hebrew language.  When written in Hebrew, it looks like this אהבה (and is read right to left).  The sequence of the letters has the root meaning of “to give,” and the first letter (an aleph) modifies “to give” to be “I give.”  So, in the Hebrew language “love” means, “I give.”

If we apply that deeper meaning from the Hebrew language to the way we use the word love today, I believe that changes it quite a bit.  Loving my family and friends means that I’m giving something to them.  I’m not “loving” the girl I just met because I’m not giving anything to her (except maybe an overused phrase).  The next time you find yourself saying, “I love” today, think of placing the words “I give” into that same phrase and see if it changes anything or enhances it more.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 (NIV)

God loved the world… and He GAVE.  God is love.  God also demonstrates His love for us through giving His Son, giving us eternal life, and giving us forgiveness.  Take a moment today and think how you can give love to someone else.

How will you love someone today?

Until next time,
~Amie