The origin of the term "Hebrew"
The origin of the term "Hebrew" is a mystery to scholars. Some believe the word came from Eber, a
descendant of Noah through Shem and an ancestor of Abraham (Gen 10:21, 25; 11:16-26). Eber, literally
meaning "on the other side of or to cross over," may allude to Abraham’s departure from a region east
of the Euphrates River.
Genesis 10:21, 25
21) Also to Shem, the father of all the children of Eber, and the older brother of
Japheth, children were born.
25) Two sons were born to Eber; the name of the one was Peleg, for in his days the
earth was divided; and his brother's name was Joktan.
Genesis 11:16-26
16) Eber lived thirty-four years, and became the father of Peleg; 17) and Eber
lived four hundred and thirty years after he became the father of Peleg, and he had other sons and daughters.
18) Peleg lived thirty years, and became the father of Reu; 19) and Peleg lived two hundred and nine years after
he became the father of Reu, and he had other sons and daughters. 20) Reu lived thirty-two years, and
became the father of Serug; 21) and Reu lived two hundred and seven years after he became the father of Serug,
and he had other sons and daughters. 22) Serug lived thirty years, and became the father of Nahor; 23) and
Serug lived two hundred years after he became the father of Nahor, and he had other sons and daughters. 24)
Nahor lived twenty-nine years, and became the father of Terah; 25) and Nahor lived one hundred and nineteen
years after he became the father of Terah, and he had other sons and daughters. 26) Terah lived seventy years,
and became the father of Abram, Nahor and Haran.
This possibility harmonizes with the statement made by God to the Israelites in Joshua’s time: "Then
I took your father Abraham from the other side of the River, led him throughout all the land of Canaan,
and multiplied his descendants and gave him Isaac. To Isaac I gave Jacob and Esau" (Josh 24:3-4). Of
Eber’s descendants, Abraham, Nahor, and Lot stand out. The genealogical list in Genesis 10 and other
passages indicate that Abraham was the ancestor of the Hebrews; Nahor was the ancestor of the Arameans;
and Lot was the ancestor of the Moabites and the Ammonites (Gen 10:21, 24, 25; 11:14-27). (1)
Joshua 24:3-4
3) 'Then I took your father Abraham from beyond the River, and led him through all the land
of Canaan, and multiplied his descendants and gave him Isaac. 4) 'To Isaac I gave Jacob and Esau, and to Esau
I gave Mount Seir to possess it; but Jacob and his sons went down to Egypt.
Genesis 10:21, 24-25
21) Also to Shem, the father of all the children of Eber, and the older brother of Japheth,
children were born.
24) Arpachshad became the father of Shelah; and Shelah became the father of Eber. 25)
Two sons were born to Eber; the name of the one was Peleg, for in his days the earth was divided; and
his brother's name was Joktan.
Genesis 11:14-27
14) Shelah lived thirty years, and became the father of Eber; 15) and Shelah lived four
hundred and three years after he became the father of Eber, and he had other sons and daughters. 16) Eber lived
thirty-four years, and became the father of Peleg; 17) and Eber lived four hundred and thirty years after he
became the father of Peleg, and he had other sons and daughters. 18) Peleg lived thirty years, and became the
father of Reu; 19) and Peleg lived two hundred and nine years after he became the father of Reu, and he had
other sons and daughters. 20) Reu lived thirty-two years, and became the father of Serug; 21) and Reu lived
two hundred and seven years after he became the father of Serug, and he had other sons and daughters. 22) Serug
lived thirty years, and became the father of Nahor; 23) and Serug lived two hundred years after he became the
father of Nahor, and he had other sons and daughters. 24) Nahor lived twenty-nine years, and became the father
of Terah; 25) and Nahor lived one hundred and nineteen years after he became the father of Terah, and he had
other sons and daughters. 26) Terah lived seventy years, and became the father of Abram, Nahor and Haran. 27)
Now these are the records of the generations of Terah. Terah became the father of Abram, Nahor and Haran; and
Haran became the father of Lot.
References:
1. Youngblood, RF, Bruce, FF, and Harrison RK, eds, Nelsons’ New Illustrated Bible
Dictionary, Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers (1995), p.551.
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