The noun avvah denotes a strong craving or desire, often translated as "longing," "appetite," or "craving." It appears in Proverbs and the Psalms, describing both legitimate longings of the soul and disordered physical appetites.
Scripture distinguishes between holy desire and sinful craving. The avvah of the righteous is directed toward God, wisdom, and justice. The avvah of the wicked is self-centered and destructive. Proverbs 10:3 declares that "the LORD does not let the righteous go hungry, but he thwarts the craving of the wicked" — a powerful statement about how God satisfies holy desire while frustrating sinful appetite.