אוֹיֵב

“Enemy” in Hebrew is Oyev (אוֹיֵב), pronounced “o-YEV.” Oyev comes from the root א-י-ב (aleph-yod-bet), meaning 'to be hostile, to treat as an enemy.' It describes active hostility — not mere disagreement but opposition that threatens harm.

Oyev (אוֹיֵב) means “Enemy, foe, adversary” in Biblical Hebrew. Oyev appears over 280 times in the Hebrew Bible. It describes national enemies, personal adversaries (David's enemies in the Psalms), and spiritual foes. The Psalms contain more references to enemies than any other biblical book.

Oyev is pronounced “o-YEV.” The word comes from the Hebrew root א-י-ב.

Psalm 23:5 pictures God preparing a lavish feast while David's enemies watch helplessly. In the ancient Near East, sharing a meal declared protection — a host was honor-bound to defend guests. God's table is both provision and provocation: He provides for His people and demonstrates power to their adversaries.

Yes — both Testaments call for mercy. Proverbs 25:21: 'If your enemy is hungry, give him bread.' Exodus 23:4-5 commands returning a lost animal to your enemy. Jesus intensified this: 'Love your enemies' (Matthew 5:44). Biblical enemy-love is not sentiment but deliberate, costly action.

While the Old Testament identifies human foes, the New Testament reframes the battle: 'We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers' (Ephesians 6:12). The ultimate oyev is not human but spiritual — sin, death, and darkness. People made in God's image are never the ultimate enemy.