Upon her children also I will have no pity, because they are children of whoredom. For their mother has played the whore; she who conceived them has acted shamefully. For she said, ‘I will go after my lovers; they give me my bread and my water, my wool and my flax, my oil and my drink.’ Therefore I will hedge her way with thorns; and I will build a wall against her, so that she cannot find her paths. She shall pursue her lovers, but not overtake them; and she shall seek them, but shall not find them. (Hosea 2: 4-7)

The English word lover and the Hebrew word 'ahab each require context. Both signal a deep desire for something, but the nature of the desire and its object requires knowing more.

Each can be used to describe how we love food, or drink... or wisdom.

Each can describe our relationship with God and God's relationship with us.

Each can refer to two people in love with each other.

The Hebrew can encompass love for family and friends. The English has largely lost this meaning. But it once could mean the same.

Depending on context each word can imply a secretive, titillating, illicit relationship.

To be a lover - or 'ahab - can simply mean to engage in sexual intercourse or other sexual acts.

In every case the verb can be the same. But the meaning of the verb can only be derived from understanding the intention, purpose, or attitudes of the lovers.