Biblica Analytica
H0159 Hebrew

אֹ֫הַב

o.hav

beloved

Lexicon Entry

Definition
beloved
Transliteration
o.hav
Strong's Number
H0159
Occurrences
1
Semantic Domain
Emotion & Attitude

Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.

What Original Readers Understood

Supported

# Analysis of אֹהַב (Ohav) – "Beloved" The Hebrew word אֹהַב carries the meaning "beloved," designating someone who is loved or cherished. Based on the lexicon data provided, this term appears only once in the biblical text, which limits our ability to observe variations in its use or context. The singular occurrence makes it a relatively rare designation in Hebrew Scripture. Given its limited attestation, the word likely carries significant weight in the single passage where it appears. The term represents a relational concept—describing not an inherent quality but a status conferred through being loved by another. This stands in contrast to abstract discussions of love itself, focusing instead on the person who receives affection. Without additional occurrences to compare, we cannot determine whether the word was reserved for particular relationships (familial, royal, or divine) or used more broadly. The rarity of this specific form in biblical Hebrew suggests that other related terms or constructions were preferred for expressing similar ideas. The single documented use makes this word a notable but peripheral element of biblical Hebrew vocabulary for expressing emotional and relational bonds.

Source data & methodology
Strong's
H0159
Lemma
אֹ֫הַב
Transliteration
o.hav
Definition
beloved
Occurrences
1
Model
claude-haiku-4-5-20251001
Prompt version
1

AI synthesis uses only the lexicon data above as context — never training knowledge.

Occurrences in Scripture

1 total occurrence across the text