So Loved Word Study
The English language is incredibly limited and sometimes sloppy: we have one word that denotes many, many different kinds of feelings. We say that we love that new Netflix show. We love pumpkin cream cold brews from Starbucks, we love our dogs, we love our kids, we love our spouse, we love God. While we know from context clues that these are different kinds of love that is felt by our hearts, linguistically, our language fails to communicate what that kind of love is, therefore, stripping the word of a majority of its power and meaning. Because the word “love” has taken up such a large percentage of our day-to-day verbiage, we have become familiar with it and desensitized to its strength. Love is sacred and we flippantly abuse it.
Merriam-Webster’s dictionary gives sixteen different definitions for the singular noun, “love,” the top one being, “strong affection for another arising out of kinship or personal ties.”
In the Bible, love is used 551 times in the New Testament and 319 times in the Old Testament. There are 3 Hebrew words for love and 4 different Greek words for it. As we learn more about God’s love for us and the love that we should have for Him, it is imperative that we understand the rich and intimate language that is used by the Biblical writers.
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The most frequent verb for love in the Old Testament is ahev. It is used over 200 times and it refers to the relationship between two people. This could be in reference to a parent and a child or a husband and a wife, or even political loyalty. The Pentateuch, or the first 5 books of the Old Testament (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy) uses ahev to describe the relationship between God and the people of Israel.
Ahev is found in the Shema, Deuteronomy 6:4-5, which is the essence of the Jewish belief system: “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.” In a theological context, ahev is God’s character. He doesn’t love the Israelites because they earned it, He loves because He loves. God’s love isn’t out of duty, but it is an actual feeling that He has for His people. His ahev is also something that He chooses to do, something that He lavishes. The Israelites, therefore, through the shema, are called to respond to this love with ahev for God. Because we are not God, we show our love for God through worship, service, and obedience. God’s people are also supposed to emulate His ahev to the people around them (Leviticus 19:18).
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES (AHEV)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; 5:15; 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
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Chesed is the most frequent noun for love in the Old Testament and occurs over 250 times in the Hebrew Bible. Despite its frequency, there is no clear equivalent translation. The King James Version translates chesed as “lovingkindness” while translations like the ESV interpret it as “steadfast love.” Chesed, or “loyal love,” refers to two people who have a previously formed relationship and the subsequent loyalty that comes from that relationship, but it also requires action. When “loyal love” is used in the context of two people, it can refer to loyalty that leads to action, like a promise. Chesed also refers to good deeds or acts of mercy. However in relation to God, chesed is our response to Him. God’s chesed “protects and sustains life at times offering protection from enemies” (The Lexham Bible Dictionary). God’s loyal love is related to His fidelity, patience, mercy, grace, forgiveness, covenantal faithfulness, and salvation. This covenantal love can be seen in the Abrahamic covenant (Deuteronomy 7:12), the Mosaic covenant (Exodus 15:13), and the Davidic covenant (2 Samuel 7:15). When covenants with God’s people are enacted, it emulates the relationship between a father and his son, which is generally a reciprocal relationship. Therefore, God’s people enjoy His chesed when they maintain a deep, intimate relationship with Him.
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES (CHESED)Genesis 19:19; 20:13; 21:23; 24:12; 24:12; 24:14; 24:27; 24:49; 24:49; 32:11; 32:11; 39:21; 39:21; 40:14; 47:29
Exodus 15:13; 20:6; 34:6; 34:6; 34:7
Leviticus 20:17; 20:17
Numbers 14:18; 14:19
Deuteronomy 5:10; 7:9; 7:9; 7:12
Joshua 2:12; 2:14
Judges 1:24; 8:35
Ruth 1:8; 2:20; 3:10
1 Samuel 15:4; 15:6; 15:6; 15:22; 20:8; 20:14; 20:14; 20:14; 20:15
2 Samuel 2:5; 2:6; 3:8; 7:15; 9:1; 9:3; 9:3; 9:7; 10:2; 10:2; 15:20; 16:17; 16:17; 22:51
1 Kings 2:7; 3:6; 8:23; 20:31
1 Chronicles 16:34; 16:41; 17:13; 19:2; 19:2; 19:2
2 Chronicles 1:8; 5:13; 6:14; 6:42; 7:3; 7:6; 20:21; 24:22; 32:32; 35:26
Ezra 3:11; 7:28; 9:9
Nehemiah 1:5; 9:17; 9:32; 13:14; 13:14; 13:22
Esther 2:9; 2:17
Job 6:14; 10:12; 37:13
Psalms 5:8; 6:5; 13:6; 17:7; 21:8; 23:6; 25:6; 25:7; 25:10; 26:3; 31:8; 31:17; 31:22; 32:10; 33:5; 33:18; 33:22; 36:6; 36:8; 36:11; 36:11; 40:12; 41:11; 42:9; 48:10; 51:3; 52:3; 57:4; 57:11; 59:11; 59:17; 59:17; 61:8; 62:12; 63:4; 66:20; 69:14; 69:17; 77:9; 85:8; 85:11; 86:5; 86:13; 86:15; 86:15; 88:12; 89:2; 89:3; 89:15; 89:25; 89:29; 89:34; 90:14; 92:3; 94:18; 98:3; 100:5; 101:1; 103:4; 103:8; 103:11; 103:17; 106:1; 106:7; 106:45; 107:1; 107:8; 107:15; 107:21; 107:31; 107:43; 108:5; 109:12; 109:16; 109:21; 109:26; 115:1; 117:2; 118:1; 118:2; 118:3; 118:4; 118:29; 119:41; 119:64; 119:76; 119:88; 119:124; 119:149; 119:159; 130:7; 136:1; 138:2; 138:8; 141:5; 143:8; 143:12; 144:2; 145:8; 147:11
Proverbs 3:3; 11:17; 14:22; 14:34; 14:34; 16:6; 19:22; 20:6; 20:28; 20:28; 21:21; 31:26
Isaiah 16:5; 40:6; 54:8; 54:10; 55:3; 55:3; 57:1; 63:7; 63:7
Jeremiah 2:2; 9:23; 16:5; 31:3; 32:18; 33:11
Lamentations 3:22; 3:32
Daniel 1:9; 9:4
Hosea 2:21; 4:1; 6:4; 6:4; 6:6; 6:6; 10:12; 12:7
Joel 2:13
Jonah 2:9; 4:2
Micah 6:8; 7:18; 7:20; 7:20
Zechariah 7:9
1 Peter 1:24
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This form of love is simply romantic love. It is used 61 times in the Old Testament in the King James Version. It is most used in the book of Song of Songs which is a group of poems that celebrates the romantic love between a man and woman. Blue Letter Bible defines dod as a noun meaning “beloved, love.” This can also be translated as the Greek, eros, which refers to physical intimacy. The New Testament writers did not use this word, but it was used in the Septuagint translation of the Old Testament.
SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (DOD)
Leviticus 10:4; 10:4; 20:20; 20:20; 25:49
Numbers 36:11; 36:11
1 Samuel 10:14; 10:14; 10:15; 10:16; 10:16; 14:50
2 Kings 24:17
1 Chronicles 27:32
Esther 2:7; 2:15; 2:15
Proverbs 7:18; 7:18
Song of Songs 1:2; 1:2; 1:2; 1:4; 1:4; 1:13; 1:14; 1:16; 2:3; 2:8; 2:9; 2:10; 2:16; 2:17; 4:10; 4:10; 4:16; 5:1; 5:1; 5:1; 5:2; 5:4; 5:5; 5:6; 5:8; 5:9; 5:9; 5:9; 5:10; 5:16; 6:1; 6:2; 6:3; 7:10; 7:11; 7:12; 7:13; 8:5; 8:5; 8:14
Isaiah 5:1; 5:1
Jeremiah 32:7; 32:7; 32:8; 32:8; 32:9; 32:12
Ezekiel 16:8; 16:8; 23:17; 23:17
Amos 6:10; 6:10
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Blue Letter Bible defines phileo as a verb meaning “to be a friend to.” It refers to the relationship between two people. Phileo and eros were used the most by Greek speakers, but the New Testament writers used phileo and agapao interchangeably. They are both “used in theological and non theological contexts and both are used in reference to positive objects (e.g., ‘Love your neighbor’) and negative objects (e.g., love of money or love or worldly things)” (Lexham Bible Dictionary). The difference between these two words is when agapao takes on its mourn form.
Kenneth L. McKay, specialist in Greek syntax, argues that the New Testament writers do, in fact, distinguish between these two terms. In John 21:15-20, Jesus asks Peter if he loves Him. The first two times, John indicates Jesus using agapao and uses phileo the third time: each time, Peter replies using phileo. McKay suggests that this linguistic difference signals a shift in meaning with the understanding that John, the gospel writer, “avoids using synonyms within a short context” (The Lexham Bible Dictionary).
SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (PHILEO)
Genesis 27:26
Proverbs 8:17; 8:17; 29:3
Isaiah 56:10
Matthew 5:44; 6:5; 10:37; 23:6; 26:48
Mark 14:44
Luke 20:46; 22:47
John 3:16; 5:20; 11:3; 11:3; 11:5; 11:36; 11:36; 12:25; 14:28; 15:19; 16:27; 16:27; 16:27; 20:2; 21:15; 21:15; 21:16; 21:16; 21:17; 21:17
1 Corinthians 16:22
Titus 3:15
Revelation 3:19; 22:15
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Agape is brotherly love, affection, or benevolence. In a theological context, it always refers to a positive love (e.g., love your neighbor). It also can refer to God’s love (Luke 11:42; John 5:42; Romans 5:8; Jude 1:21), a person’s love for God (Revelation 2:4), or love for one another (Romans 13:10; Galatians 5:13). When agape is used in the form of an adjective, it denotes a “friend.”
Agape is the form of love that is used when Jesus gives us the greatest commandment: “... ‘you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength’. The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no greater commandment than these” (Mark 12:30-31). As Jesus spoke these words, He used the Aramaic form of “love,” but as the Greek writers translated the Scriptures, they defined the term agape through the life and teachings of Jesus Himself. Jesus’ idea of love suggests that there cannot truly be love if one does not love God or his neighbor: our love for others reflects our love for God and vice versa. Agape, therefore, is the action or choice to love by seeking the well-being of others without expecting anything in return. Jesus emphasizes loving our enemies because it is a reflection of the character of God the Father by dying on the cross for His enemies (Romans 5:8).
SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (AGAPE)
2 Samuel 13:15
Ecclesiastes 9:1; 9:6
Song of Songs 2:4; 2:5; 2:7; 3:5; 3:10; 5:8; 7:6; 8:4; 8:6; 8:7
Jeremiah 2:2
Matthew 24:12
Luke 11:42
John 5:42; 13:35; 15:9; 15:10; 15:13; 17:26; 17:26
Acts 2:42; 2:46; 20:7
Romans 5:8; 8:35; 8:39; 13:10; 14:15; 15:30
1 Corinthians 4:21; 11:17; 13:1; 13:2; 13:3; 13:4; 13:8; 13:13; 14:1; 16:24
2 Corinthians 2:4; 2:4; 2:8; 5:14; 8:7; 13:11; 13:13
Galatians 5:6
Ephesians 1:15; 2:4; 3:19; 4:15; 4:16
Philippians 1:17
Colossians 1:4; 1:4; 1:13
1 Thessalonians 1:3; 1:3; 5:8
2 Thessalonians 2:10
1 Timothy 1:5
Philemon 1:5; 1:7; 1:9; 1:14
Hebrews 6:10; 10:22; 10:23; 10:24; 10:24
1 Peter 4:8; 5:14
2 Peter 2:13
1 John 2:15; 3:1; 3:17; 4:7; 4:8; 4:12; 4:16; 4:17; 4:18; 5:3
Jude 1:12
Revelation 2:4; 2:19