What does אַוָּה mean in the Bible?
אַוָּה is a Hebrew word meaning "longing".
Hebrew · H185
אַוָּה
Longing
Reading a lexicon entry
What this page is: Each lexicon entry shows the original Hebrew or Greek word behind the English translation: its meaning, its range of use, and where it appears in Scripture.
Strong's number: The Strong's code (H- or G-) is the standard reference number for this word. It connects this entry to chapter and passage language tabs.
Where it appears: The witness passages show where this word is used in context. Click any to open the study page for that passage.
This lexicon entry is part of our ongoing editorial review. If you notice missing content, unclear wording, or a possible correction, please send us a note through theConnect page. Screenshots are helpful.
אַוָּהH185
What does אַוָּה mean in the Bible?
אַוָּה is a Hebrew word meaning "longing".
Full entry for אַוָּה (H185) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How does the BSB render H185?
The BSB source-word alignment has 7 aligned rows for this entry. Common renderings include want (3), desire (1), desires (1), earnestness (1), when I please (1).
Where does אַוָּה appear in Scripture?
The source-word alignment first shows this entry at Deuteronomy 12:15. Its strongest book concentrations include Deuteronomy (4), 1 Samuel (1), Hosea (1), Jeremiah (1).
Source Word Evidence
BSB source-word alignment connects this entry to exact verse rows, English rendering, source form, transliteration, and parsing.
How English Renders Itwant3×Deuteronomy 12:15, Deuteronomy 12:20, Deuteronomy 12:21
desire1×Jeremiah 2:24
desires1×1 Samuel 23:20
earnestness1×Deuteronomy 18:6
when I please1×Hosea 10:10
Show sample aligned rows
Deuteronomy 12:15אַוַּ֨תtowantNoun - feminine singular constructDeuteronomy 12:20אַוַּ֥תtowantNoun - feminine singular constructDeuteronomy 12:21אַוַּ֥תtowantNoun - feminine singular constructDeuteronomy 18:6אַוַּ֣תtoearnestnessNoun - feminine singular construct1 Samuel 23:20אַוַּ֨תtodesiresNoun - feminine singular constructJeremiah 2:24בְּאַוַּ֤תtodesirePreposition-b | Noun - feminine singular constructHosea 10:10בְּאַוָּתִ֖יtowhen I pleasePreposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular
Usage map
A compact distribution from source-word alignment before the full evidence tables.
First aligned rowDeuteronomy 12:15
Aligned rows7
Books represented4
Deuteronomy41 Samuel1Jeremiah1Hosea1
Source forms
אַוַּ֨ת2x’aw·waṯDeuteronomy 12:15, 1 Samuel 23:20
אַוַּ֥ת2x’aw·waṯDeuteronomy 12:20, Deuteronomy 12:21
אַוַּ֣ת1x’aw·waṯDeuteronomy 18:6
בְּאַוַּ֤ת1xbə·’aw·waṯJeremiah 2:24
בְּאַוָּתִ֖י1xbə·’aw·wā·ṯîHosea 10:10
Parsing patterns
Noun - feminine singular construct5xDeuteronomy 12:15, Deuteronomy 12:20, Deuteronomy 12:21, Deuteronomy 18:6
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct1xJeremiah 2:24
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular1xHosea 10:10
Evidence Summary
Hebrew word. longing
Source Gloss
longing
Extended definitionSource: Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon + Brown-Driver-Briggs
longing BDB: desire Usage: desire, lust after, pleasure.
Grammatical Forms
How this word appears across different grammatical cases and numbers.
Word Origins
אַוָּה is built from this root: