The Meaning of "AHAVA"

AHAVA　把自己給出去的愛

(Excerpted from an article by Wesley Collins) 

The ancient Hebrew word "AHAVA" that is often translated as "Love" in the Bible. Which has a meaning that has been lost in translation. Sadly, this amazing Hebrew word is hidden behind the nonchalant English term that everyone uses for everything “Love”. 

“Love.” The English term has many meanings. In today’s culture “Love” is an emotion that can be turned on and off like a light switch. 

“Love” or "AHAVA" in the Hebraic culture is very different in today's culture. In the Hebrew, Love/AHAVA is connected directly with Action and Obedience. Hebraically AHAVA is a verb and a noun, it is an act of doing. AHAVA is NOT just a feeling. To get a clear understanding of AHAVA, let's examine the Hebrew word itself and learn how to love Hebraically. 

First, most Hebrew words can be broken down to a three-consonant root words that contains the essence of the word's meaning. The root word of ahava is "ahav." The term ahav in Hebrew means, "to give." 

True AHAVA, true LOVE, is more concerned about giving than receiving. Being the center of someone's attention is not Love/AHAVA in the Hebraic sense. Love is not about getting some feeling or fix. AHAVA is about giving devotion and time. Giving is the vehicle of Love/AHAVA. 

Love in today’s culture focus on receiving, but AHAVA is all about giving. There is a difference but there should not be. Consider that the Hebrew word "AHAVA" is not an emotion but an action. It is not something that happens to you but a condition that you create when you give. 

YHWH/God so loved the world that He GAVE His only Son/Yeshua/Jesus (John 3:16). You can see meaningful relationships have mutual GIVING relationship, just as our God wanted Israelites to give sacrifices to show their AHAVA for him being the creator in the Old Testament. In the New Testament he made a sacrifice to HIS Children by sending his only Son, because it was LITERALLY the only way mankind could be saved. We know that Jesus was brought up from A Judaism culture which was under control of The Roman Empire, who along with the Jews crucified him when he taught the multitude AHAVA, Love your neighbor as yourself and Love God/YHWH who is the giver of your Life and Soul. Those who believed in Jesus and obey his commands are “beings of AHAVA”. 

You don't "fall" in love - You “give” AHAVA!

約15:11 這些事我已經對你們說了，是要叫我的喜樂存在你們心裡，並叫你們的喜樂可以滿足。12 你們要彼此相愛，像我愛你們一樣；這就是我的命令。13 人為朋友捨命，人的愛心沒有比這個大的。14 你們若遵行我所吩咐的，就是我的朋友了。15 以後我不再稱你們為僕人，因僕人不知道主人所做的事。我乃稱你們為朋友；因我從我父所聽見的，已經都告訴你們了。16 不是你們揀選了我，是我揀選了你們，並且分派你們去結果子，叫你們的果子常存，使你們奉我的名，無論向父求甚麼，他就賜給你們。17 我這樣吩咐你們，是要叫你們彼此相愛。

路9:23 耶穌又對眾人說：若有人要跟從我，就當捨己，天天背起他的十字架來跟從我。24 因為，凡要救自己生命（生命：或譯靈魂）的，必喪掉生命；凡為我喪掉生命的，必救了生命。25 人若賺得全世界，卻喪了自己，賠上自己，有甚麼益處呢？