One of the wonderful things about the Bible is that its language is rich, full of meaning that often goes even deeper when you study it in its original languages. Although English translations offer a very close approximation of what’s written (and are translated with the intent to closely match the meaning of the original text), there are cases where knowing the meaning of the Hebrew, Greek or Aramaic words can add an extra layer of meaning to what you’re reading.

That’s true in the case of the word love. There are multiple words that are commonly used in the Bible to describe love, below you’ll find one Hebrew word and two Greek words. Each has a slightly different meaning, so knowing which words are used in each verse can give you a fuller picture of the verse’s meaning.

Here are three words for love, their meanings, and where you can find them:

1.     Hesed

This Hebrew word, written as “חֶסֶד,” is often used in the Old Testament. It’s difficult to translate, and it’s represented in English as lovingkindness, mercy, or loyalty. It’s often used when speaking of God’s love for His people, and a closer look at this unique word reveals a lot.

First of all, hesed implies a lot more than just love, or kindness. It means a love that someone in authority has for a person (or group) that is below them, whom that person loves and would like to bless and encourage. This type of love is independent of anything those blessed with it might have done to be worthy, and it’s an active word—implying actions done to bless those who are loved. Grace and favor have a lot to do with hesed love.

Hesed is illustrated nicely in the story of Ruth, whose kinsman-redeemer Boaz felt hesed for the young widow—and in verses like Psalm 25:6.

2.     Agape

This Greek word (ἀγάπη) is used to describe a high form of love. Similar to the Hebrew hesed, agape is often used to refer to the covenantal love between God and His people.  Agape love is an unconditional, universal and unbreakable love that will be there regardless of changes in circumstances or feelings.

Agape love does not stem simply from feelings or from pleasant interactions with another person, but from a deep respect, honor, and commitment. Agape love takes action by directly caring for others, giving sacrificially of oneself, in a deep desire to help the other party and see them become their best.

You’ll find agape love mentioned in 1 Corinthians 13, the beautiful passage about real and lasting love that’s often read at weddings today.

3.     Phileo

In Greek, phileo (or Φιλἐω) refers to a companionable love—a comfortable love between friends, one called into being by the pleasure found in one another.

Phileo love is more about feelings than commitment or actions, and although it’s powerful it can be broken. You can see the difference between phileo and agape in the conversation between Jesus and Peter after the Lord’s resurrection. Peter had denied that he knew Jesus three times, and Jesus reinstates his friend by asking three times if Peter loves him…Jesus asks, “Peter, do you agape love me?” and Peter, his bravado shaken by how he’d failed, responds with the less-powerful “I phileo love you.”

Phileo is also the root of the word Philadelphia, which combines phileo (love) with adelphos, which means brother. While you probably know Philadelphia as an American city, the word also appears in the Bible in the book of Revelation.

If you’d like to know more about these words and others, you can use the study tools at Bible Gateway or Bible Hub to dig into the text, use concordances, read commentary, and see verses in different languages—including Greek and Hebrew. Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance is a nice resource to have at home, and if you’d like to learn how to look up words in a concordance the video below will help.