Ahava is a term found in the Old Testament, specifically in the Book of Ezra, and it refers to both a river and a location associated with the return of the Jewish exiles from Babylon to Jerusalem. The name "Ahava" is mentioned in the context of the preparations and journey led by Ezra, a scribe and priest, who was instrumental in the restoration of the Jewish community and religious practices after the Babylonian exile.

Biblical References:

1. Ezra 8:15 : "Now I assembled them at the canal that flows toward Ahava, and we camped there for three days. I searched among the people and priests but found no Levites there."

2. Ezra 8:21 : "And there by the Ahava Canal I proclaimed a fast, so that we might humble ourselves before our God and ask Him for a safe journey for us and our children, with all our possessions."

3. Ezra 8:31 : "On the twelfth day of the first month, we set out from the Ahava Canal to go to Jerusalem. The hand of our God was upon us, and He protected us from enemies and bandits along the way."

Historical and Geographical Context:

The Ahava River or Canal is believed to be a waterway in the region of Babylon, though its exact location remains uncertain. It served as a gathering point for Ezra and the Jewish exiles as they prepared for their journey back to Jerusalem. The mention of Ahava in the Book of Ezra highlights its significance as a place of assembly and spiritual preparation.

Spiritual Significance:

Ahava holds spiritual importance as it was the site where Ezra proclaimed a fast and sought God's protection for the journey ahead. This act of fasting and prayer underscores the dependence of the Jewish exiles on divine guidance and protection. The gathering at Ahava symbolizes a moment of communal faith and commitment to the covenant with God.

Ezra's Leadership:

Ezra's leadership at Ahava is marked by his dedication to ensuring that the returning exiles were spiritually prepared for the journey. His search for Levites, as mentioned in Ezra 8:15, reflects his commitment to restoring proper worship and religious order in Jerusalem. The absence of Levites initially posed a challenge, but Ezra's determination led to the successful recruitment of temple servants, ensuring the continuity of Levitical duties.

The Journey to Jerusalem:

The journey from Ahava to Jerusalem was a significant undertaking, fraught with potential dangers. Ezra's reliance on God's protection, as noted in Ezra 8:31, highlights the faith and trust placed in divine providence. The successful arrival in Jerusalem marked a pivotal moment in the restoration of the Jewish community and the reestablishment of religious practices.

In summary, Ahava serves as a key location in the narrative of the Jewish return from exile, representing both a physical and spiritual starting point for the journey back to Jerusalem. It is a testament to the faith and leadership of Ezra and the collective commitment of the Jewish exiles to their covenant with God.Ahava

essence; being; generation

Ahava

(water), a place, (Ezra 8:15) or a river, Ezra 8:21 On the banks of which Ezra collected the second expedition which returned with him from Babylon to Jerusalem. Perhaps it is the modern Hit, on the Euphrates due east of Damascus.

Ahava

A town in Chaldea, which gave name to the stream on the banks of which exiled Jews assembled their second caravan under Ezra, when returning to Jerusalem, Ezra 8:15,21,31. It may be the modern Hib on the Euphrates, in the latitude of Bagdad.

Water, the river (Ezra 8:21) by the banks of which the Jewish exiles assembled under Ezra when about to return to Jerusalem from Babylon. In all probability this was one of the streams of Mesopotamia which flowed into the Euphrates somewhere in the north-west of Babylonia. It has, however, been supposed to be the name of a place (Ezra 8:15) now called Hit, on the Euphrates, east of Damascus. AHAVA

a-ha'-va ('ahawa'): The river in Babylonia on the banks of which Ezra gathered together the Jews who accompanied him to Jerusalem. At this rendezvous the company encamped for three days to make preparation for the difficult and dangerous journey (Ezra 8:15). On reviewing the people and the priests Ezra found no Levites among them; he therefore sent to Iddo, "the chief at the place Casiphia," a request for ministers for the temple. A number of Levites with 220 Nethinim returned to the rendezvous with the deputation. Ezra had expressed to the king his faith in the protection of God; being, therefore, ashamed to ask for a military escort he proclaimed a fast to seek of God "a straight way." To 12 priests Ezra assigned the care of the offering for the temple in Jerusalem. When all was ready the company "departed from the river Ahava," and journeyed in safety to Jerusalem.

This river, apparently called after a town or district toward which it flowed (Ezra 8:15), remains unidentified, though many conjectures have been made. Rawlinson thinks it is the "Is" of Herodotus (i.79), now called "Hit," which flowed past a town of the same name in the Euphrates basin, 8 days' journey from Babylon. Some identify the district with "Ivvah" (2 Kings 18:34, etc.). Most probably, however, this was one of the numerous canals which intersected Babylonia, flowing from the Euphrates toward a town or district "Ahava." If so, identification is impossible.

S. F. Hunter

163. Ahava -- a place and a stream in Babylon
... Ahava. 164 . a place and a stream in Babylon. Transliteration: Ahava Phonetic
Spelling: (a-hav-aw') Short Definition: Ahava. ... NASB Word Usage Ahava (3). Ahava. ...
/hebrew/163.htm - 5k

Heroic Faith
... There, by the river Ahava, he halts his company like a prudent leader, to repair
omissions, and put the last touches to their organisation before facing the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/heroic faith.htm

Ezra, the Priest and Scribe
... journey. "I gathered them together to the river that runneth to Ahava," Ezra
says, "and there abode we in tents three days." Ezra 8:15. ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 50 ezra the priest.htm

The Kingdom Restored
... 5. Name three things Ezra had prepared his heart to do. 6. Name the double office
of Ezra. Chapter VIII. At the River Ahava: Prepare two questions. Chapter IX. ...
/.../palmer/a birds-eye view of the bible/vii the kingdom restored.htm

Hebrew Captives; Or, Mordecai and Esther.
... service of the temple; but this boon did not induce any of the Levitical tribe to
join the caravan which assembled on the banks of the river Ahava, in Babylonia ...
/.../headley/half hours in bible lands volume 2/hebrew captives or mordecai and.htm

Upon Our Lord's SermonOn the Mount
... them "with a great thunder, and discomfited them; and they were smitten before Israel."
(1:Sam.7:6.) So Ezra: "I proclaimed a fast at the river Ahava, that we ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 27 upon our lords.htm

Of the Discipline of the Church, and Its Principal Use in Censures ...
... [597] See a striking instance in Ezra 8:21, on the appointment of a fast at the
river Ahava, on the return of the people from the Babylonish captivity. ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 12 of the discipline.htm

Ahava (3 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. AHAVA. ... When all was ready the company "departed
from the river Ahava," and journeyed in safety to Jerusalem. ...
/a/ahava.htm - 9k

Aha'va (3 Occurrences)
Aha'va. Ahava, Aha'va. Ahaz . Multi-Version Concordance Aha'va (3 Occurrences).
Ezra 8:15 And I gathered them together to the river ...
/a/aha'va.htm - 7k

Canal (6 Occurrences)
... Ezra 8:15 I gathered them together to the river that runs to Ahava; and there we
encamped three days: and I viewed the people, and the priests, and found there ...
/c/canal.htm - 8k

Ezra (28 Occurrences)
... Ezra assembled the band of exiles, probably about 5,000 in all, who were prepared
to go up with him to Jerusalem, on the banks of the Ahava, where they rested ...
/e/ezra.htm - 29k

Viewed (9 Occurrences)
... Ezra 8:15 I gathered them together to the river that runs to Ahava; and there we
encamped three days: and I viewed the people, and the priests, and found there ...
/v/viewed.htm - 9k

Viewing (6 Occurrences)
... Ezra 8:15 And I made them come together by the river flowing to Ahava; and we were
there in tents for three days: and after viewing the people and the priests ...
/v/viewing.htm - 8k

Lier (1 Occurrence)
... Ezra 8:31 Then we departed from the river Ahava on the twelfth day of the first
month, to go unto Jerusalem: and the hand of our God was upon us, and he ...
/l/lier.htm - 6k

Lier-in-wait (2 Occurrences)
... (DBY). Ezra 8:31 Then we departed from the river Ahava on the twelfth day of the
first month, to go unto Jerusalem: and the hand of our God was upon us, and he ...
/l/lier-in-wait.htm - 7k

Ivah (3 Occurrences)
... It lay on the Euphrates, between Sepharvaim and Henah, and is supposed by some to
have been the Ahava of Ezra (8:15). Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. IVAH. ...
/i/ivah.htm - 7k

Flows (14 Occurrences)
... Ezra 8:15 And I made them come together by the river flowing to Ahava; and we were
there in tents for three days: and after viewing the people and the priests ...
/f/flows.htm - 10k

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