Love is the word we hear around the globe, and has a very intoxicating effect, and a common denominator in every kind of relationship, despite different cultures, races, ethnicity, and religious beliefs. Sometimes, it is very unfortunate, when someone claims they love someone else, that saying is ambiguous, enigmatic, opaque, puzzling, and obscure without much clarity. This is because understanding the meaning of love is hard! Humanity, searches for love, and is an ongoing search in their hearts, and often it is searched in the wrong places. Let us search couple of Hebrew words for further understanding.
The Hebrew verb אהב (ahav, pronounced ah-HAV, with the final bet pronounced as a
"v") is a Biblical Hebrew word meaning "to
love." The noun form of this word is אהבה (ahavah, pronounced ah-ha-VAH)
meaning "love." Ahav and ahavah cover a broad spectrum of concepts of
love.[1]
The Hebrew word often translated “heart” is the
word lev, לב. Although lev is frequently translated as
“heart,” it should be rendered “mind.” This information is actually very
important for accurate reading of many Biblical texts.[2]
"Heart" (Hebrew lebab/leb [b'bel], Gk. kardia
[kardiva]) occurs over one thousand times in the Bible,
making it the most common anthropological term in the Scripture. It denotes a
person's centre for both physical and emotional-intellectual-moral activities;
sometimes it is used figuratively for any inaccessible thing.[3]
Heart is the seat of all emotions, and we make choices,
based on emotional intelligence. So the concept of the “heart” can be better
understood as our inner person. The inner person: becomes the seat of our mind (thought), emotions (feelings), and
will (intentions); Prov. 4:23. Now, “soul” consists of mind, will, intellect
and emotions. When we remember these concepts, it helps further in our
understanding of what Scripture says about love below:
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not
envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonour others,
it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record
of wrongs. Love does not delight in
evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always
trusts, always hopes, always perseveres; 1 Coir. 13:4-7 (NIV).
These verses are self-explanatory: Love in
otherwards goes beyond politeness, it is kind and is acting for the good of
others even when it does not benefit ourselves. When apostle Paul was writing
to the Corinthian church, it looks like envy was very active in the church. When
we stop comparing ourselves with Christ (in which all of us fall short), and
compare ourselves with others, it becomes
a fertile ground for envy to breed. One can envy on spiritual gifts, and also
on financial and educational successes. Love is the greatest, because it is the
attribute of God, 1 Jn. 4:8. So, it is
clear that love for one another must take precedent over getting our own way
with regards to any gifts God has given for His children.
In the earthly ministry Jesus, moved with
compassion, with all kinds of people, loved them unconditionally, taught them to
love and honour others. He loved, Judas the betrayer, the sexual libertine the
woman at the well, the conniving financial cheat Zacchaeus, the disciple Peter
who denied him three times, and many more who were caught up in the downward
spiral of bitterness, hatred, remorse, regrets, and caught up in sin. The
perfect, sinless Saviour taught us to love others despite their dire circumstances and taught us
to love and honour our neighbours.
Place me as a seal over your heart, like a seal
on your arm; for love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the
grave. It burns like blazing fire, like mighty flame. Many waters cannot quench
love; rivers cannot sweep it away. If one were to give all the wealth of one’s
house for love, it would be utterly scorned; Song of Sol: 8:6-7. (Song of Solomon is also called Canticle
of Canticles and Songs of Songs).
The picture of love painted in Song of Sol.
8:6-7; is: love is set as seal on the heart and arm. This belong to
those who are willing to give up something for themselves (their wants) to
another person who is also willing to give up something they want in return. The
bond of love needs to be continuously nourished, cherished and regarded as
permanent. It is permanent like death, so one must take care, how, where, and
with whom this spark is ignited. Love is not a piece of merchandize and must be
appreciated and not taken for granted.
“Your love to Christ especially lacks the
genuine stamp if it is never roused to jealousy by the malice of foes and the
faithlessness of professed friends of our Lord. (Spurgeon)
“The love on which a beautiful love is
built is a persevering flame burning as brightly at the beginning as it does
later on.” (Glickman)
In a “nutshell” as fallen human beings we are
unable to love someone as they longed to be loved. This is because, no other
human being is able to fill the void/ vacuum/ the spiritual ache/ longing to be
loved, and longing for eternity which God has placed within us. We love
because He loved us; 1 Jn. 4:19.
[1] Hebrew word for love: https://www.google.com/search?q=hebrew+word+for+love&rlz=1C1CHBD_enCA896CA910&oq=Hebrew+
[2] Is it heart or lev in Hebrew? Hebrew?https://www.google.com/search?q=heart+hebrew+word&rlz=1C1CHBD_enCA896CA910&oq=Heart+Hebrew+word&aqs
[3] What
is the Bible term for the heart? https://www.google.com/search?q=heart+hebrew+word&rlz=1C1CHBD_enCA896CA910&oq=Heart+Hebrew+word&aq
