The Semantics of Love: A Study of ‘ahad, hesed, and racham

Seminary N235

Topic: This paper explores the meanings of the Hebrew words ‘ahab, hesed, and racham, and examines their use in a selection of passages throughout the Old Testament. Purpose: Each Hebrew word is individually examined; the similarities and differences in their meanings are also discussed. This knowledge is then applied to a selection of Old Testament passages in which one or more of these words are used in order to explore both their impact upon the message of the selected text and the implications of this new information. Sources: The sources used consist mostly of lexicons and dictionaries, such as the BDB and the Seventh-day Adventist Bible Dictionary. The author’s knowledge of Hebrew also contributed to the writing of this paper. Conclusions: Though the three Hebrew root words all translate into the same English word, they have different nuances of meaning. ‘Ahab primarily denotes attraction/affection; hesed emphasizes kindness and compassion, and racham is almost a combination of the two. The differences in the meanings of these words make it impossible to use them interchangeably. Therefore, the use of one word over another is a deliberate choice meant to convey specific information relevant to the message of the text.