according to what is specified in the law structure God gave to Israel. This was to be the
normal state of affairs between men.
This verb is used politically to describe the loyalty of a vassal or a subordinate to his
lord— so Hiram of Tyre “loved” David in the sense that he was completely loyal (1
Kings 5:1).
The strong emotional attachment and desire suggested by
(or
) may also
be fixed on objects, circumstances, actions, and relationships.
B. Noun.
(
, 160), “love.” This word appears about 55 times, and it represents
several kinds of “love.” The first biblical occurrence of
is in Gen. 29:20; there
the word deals with the “love” between man and wife as a general concept. In Hos. 3:1
the word is used of “love” as a sexual activity.
*
means “love” between friends in
1 Sam. 18:3: “Then Jonathan and David made a covenant because he loved him as his
own soul.” The word refers to Solomon’s “love” in 1 Kings 11:2 and to God’s “love” in
Deut. 7:8.
C. Participle.
(
, 157), “friend.” This word used as a participle may mean “friend”: “…
The rich hath many friends” (Prov. 14:20).
LOVING-KINDNESS
A. Noun.
(
$
, 2617), “loving-kindness; steadfast love; grace; mercy; faithfulness;
goodness; devotion.” This word is used 240 times in the Old Testament, and is especially
frequent in the Psalter. The term is one of the most important in the vocabulary of Old
Testament theology and ethics.
The Septuagint nearly always renders
with
(“mercy”), and that usage is
reflected in the New Testament. Modern translations, in contrast, generally prefer
renditions close to the word “grace.”
KJV
usually has “mercy,” although “loving-
kindness” (following Coverdale), “favor,” and other translations also occur.
RSV
generally prefers “steadfast love.”
NIV
often offers simply “love.”
In general, one may identify three basic meanings of the word, which always interact:
“strength,” “steadfastness,” and “love.” Any understanding of the word that fails to
suggest all three inevitably loses some of its richness. “Love” by itself easily becomes
sentimentalized or universalized apart from the covenant. Yet “strength” or
“steadfastness” suggests only the fulfillment of a legal or other obligation.
The word refers primarily to mutual and reciprocal rights and obligations between the
parties of a relationship (especially Yahweh and Israel). But
is not only a matter
of obligation; it is also of generosity. It is not only a matter of loyalty, but also of mercy.
The weaker party seeks the protection and blessing of the patron and protector, but he
may not lay absolute claim to it. The stronger party remains committed to his promise,
but retains his freedom, especially with regard to the manner in which he will implement
those promises.
)
implies personal involvement and commitment in a relationship
beyond the rule of law.