Did you know while reading the Bible there were different words for LOVE? It was not like today where we have one word used for many things.
I can say: “I love Sean, my husband,” and turn around and use that same word love for something else, like, “I love Mexican food.”
The English language’s use of a single word, “love,” does not FULLY cover the diverse meanings expressed in the Hebrew and Greek language. English often uses broad, flexible words to cover a range of meanings. “Love” is a versatile word that can describe emotions from romantic passion to selfless devotion, unlike Hebrew and Greek, which use DISTINCT words.
So, when you read “love” in scripture, know, Early English translations prioritized readability and accessibility for a broad audience. Translators chose “love” as a ‘catch-all’ word to ‘simplify’ the text.
The consolidation of terms like agape, phileo, chesed, and racham into “love” can “downplay” the depth of the original text.
Example: “Love your neighbor as yourself,” does not suggest romantic love, it’s rooted in selflessness, seeking others’ good regardless of feelings or reciprocation.
Below is a list of the different words used for L O V E:
Hebrew Words (Old Testament)
Ahavah > A broad term for love, encompassing affection, care, or devotion. It can describe love between God and humans, familial love, romantic love, or friendship. Often used in contexts like covenantal love (Deuteronomy 6:5, “Love the Lord your God”).
Chesed > Denotes loyal, merciful, or covenantal love, often tied to God’s faithfulness and kindness toward His people Psalm 136, where “His steadfast love endures forever” repeats). It emphasizes commitment and grace.
Racham > Refers to deep, tender love or mercy, often like a parent’s love for a child. It’s rooted in compassion and care (Isaiah 49:15, comparing God’s love to a mother’s).
Greek Words (New Testament)
Agape > Selfless, unconditional, sacrificial love. It’s the most prominent term in the New Testament, used for God’s love for humanity and the love Christians are called to show (John 3:16, “For God so loved the world”).
Phileo > Denotes friendship, affection, or personal attachment. It’s a warm, relational love, as seen in the love between friends or family (Lazarus, whom Jesus “loved”).
Eros > Though not explicitly used in the New Testament, it refers to romantic or passionate love. Implied in contexts like the Song of Solomon but absent as a term in the Greek text.
Storge > Natural, instinctive love, such as between parents and children. Rarely used explicitly in the New Testament but appears in compound forms like “astorgos” (without natural affection, Romans 1:31).
Understanding the Hebrew and Greek words for “love” in the Bible increases our grasp of its context and meaning. It then offers a deeper insight into God’s nature, human relationships, and how we are called to live out love today.
The LGBTQ+ community’s perspective that people should be free to “love whoever they want,” is a twisting, contortion, of truth. We are called to have AGAPE, this love applies to everyone: strangers, neighbors, adversaries, because it’s based on choice and action, not emotion. But, we are not called EROS (greek) whoever; this “type” of love is not commanded for everyone but reserved for specific relationships. Often used in contexts like covenantal love, or implied in contexts like Song of Solomon or marital love.
So, rather you see LOVE as LOVE, I’d ask. . . WHICH LOVE?
While the LGBTQ+ community may advocate for love in same-sex relationships, traditional biblical interpretations view eros as specific to heterosexual marriage, distinguishing it from universal love commands.
While we are called to love everyone (agape, chesed), romantic love (eros) is not a universal mandate but is biblically confined to specific contexts.
I have been told that it was hypocritical of me to not support gay rights when David & Johnathon were gay. The scripture used was the one below.
2 Samuel 1:26 “I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan; You have been very pleasant to me; Your love to me was wonderful, Surpassing the love of women.”
Biblical Understanding:
Jonathan was David’s brother-in-law by relationship because of his marriage to Michal, but here he refers to Jonathan as a brother by the covenant of friendship.
The main issue at hand with this statement is the understanding of the word LOVE. As shown above, there are many different forms of Hebrew (and Greek) words used for LOVE that carry different meaning.
David was not gay. Homosexuality always was & always will be an abomination to God.
Homosexuality was first mentioned in the book of Genesis, when the men of the city of Sodom preferred to have sex with the male angels. If you studied this area out you would know this city was corrupt. They basically had cots in the streets having org!es.
The misdiagnosis given to David is because of the lack of understanding in what true LOVE is & the true definition of the word *AHAV (AHAB)* that is being used here.
Honestly, it is a PERVERTED mindset to assume that scripture is offering a same sex relationship because of the word LOVE.
In closing, the biblical words for L O V E reveal a richer, multifaceted understanding of love that travels beyond modern assumptions. There are many biblical stories to dissect love through out scripture. I hope this draws you closer to turning the pages of your Bible to grasp a better understanding.
