Hebrew

The term Hebrew (עִבְרִי) is another name for the people of Israel, referring to those who crossed over from ancient Mesopotamia to Canaan. Historically, it was used primarily by non-Israelites to identify the Israelites. In Greek, the word appears as Hebraios (Ἑβραῖος), sometimes transliterated as Hebraean. According to the Bible, the first person to be called a Hebrew was Abraham.

The Departure of Abraham, József Molnár, 1850: Abraham, who migrated from Mesopotamia to Canaan, was called a Hebrew.

Etymology

The word Hebrew is commonly thought to derive from the Hebrew term eber (עֵבֶר), meaning “the region beyond.” This indicates that Abraham, the ancestor of Israel, migrated by crossing the great Euphrates River. Other interpretations suggest that the term refers to the descendants of Eber, the great-grandson of Shem, or that it denotes the Hapiru, a class of landless people or slaves who wandered the ancient Near East without a country.

Origin

Abraham crossed the Euphrates River.

The first biblical figure to be called a Hebrew was Abraham. Born in Ur of the Chaldeans in Mesopotamia, Abraham obeyed God’s command and left his homeland with his wife Sarah and his nephew Lot, eventually settling in Canaan. To the native Canaanites, Abraham was a foreigner—a migrant who had come from “across the river,” which is reflected in the meaning of the term Hebrew (עִבְרִי, Ivri).

As Abraham’s flocks and herds increased, disputes arose among his household over grazing land and water. To avoid conflict, Abraham allowed Lot to choose where to settle. Lot selected the fertile region of Sodom and Gomorrah, while Abraham remained in the part of Canaan that Lot had not chosen. Later, when war broke out in the region of Sodom, Lot was taken captive. A survivor escaped and brought the news to Abraham. It is in this context—when the messenger reported Lot’s capture—that Abraham is first referred to as “Abram the Hebrew.”

One who had escaped came and reported this to Abram [Abraham] the Hebrew. Now Abram was living near the great trees of Mamre the Amorite, a brother of Eshcol and Aner, all of whom were allied with Abram.

Genesis 14:13

Afterward, the descendants of Abraham came to be known as Hebrews. Joseph, who was sold into slavery in Egypt because of his brothers’ envy, was identified by others as a Hebrew, and he himself stated that he had been taken from “the land of the Hebrews,” clearly acknowledging his identity as a Hebrew.

Hebrews and God Jehovah

The accounts of Moses and Jonah further reveal the relationship between the Hebrews and the LORD God (Jehovah). The LORD introduced Himself to Moses as “the God of the Hebrews” and commanded him to bring the Hebrews out of Egypt. Obeying God’s command, Moses and Aaron went before Pharaoh and delivered the message of “the LORD, the God of the Hebrews.” Similarly, the prophet Jonah identified himself as a Hebrew who worshiped the LORD, the Creator of heaven and earth. These biblical accounts reflect the Hebrews’ own understanding that they were God’s chosen people—those who feared, honored, and served the true God, their Creator and Redeemer.

Hebrews in the New Testament

Paul’s Background

In the early Church, some believers took pride in being Hebrews who had received circumcision. To correct this mindset, the Apostle Paul reminded them that he himself was “a Hebrew of Hebrews,” born of a lineage regarded as pure and honorable. Although such heritage carried great status in Jewish society, Paul declared that, compared with the surpassing worth of knowing Christ, it was nothing but rubbish. He urged believers to rely not on ethnic identity or external rituals, but on the genuine faith that comes from truly knowing Christ.

Circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; . . . But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ – the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith.

Philippians 3:5–9

Epistle to the Hebrews

The Epistle to the Hebrews, the nineteenth book of the New Testament, is a letter addressed to Hebrew believers who had converted from Judaism to Christianity. At the time, these believers were scattered throughout the Roman Empire and were facing persecution from their own people, along with the temptation to abandon their faith. The epistle reminds them of the true faith in Christ and encourages those enduring hardship to persevere.

For details, refer to: Book of Hebrews

Synonyms of “Hebrew”

Expressions referring to the people of Israel—the descendants of Abraham—include Hebrew, Israelite, and Jew. Although these three terms are often used interchangeably, their origins are distinct.

Hebrew

The term Hebrew originates from Abraham. As Abraham traveled from Mesopotamia to Canaan, the native people regarded him as someone who had “crossed over,” and his descendants came to be known as Hebrews.

Israelite

The term Israelite comes from Abraham’s grandson Jacob. After fleeing from his brother Esau, Jacob spent twenty years in Haran. On his return, just before meeting Esau, he wrestled with a man at the ford of the Jabbok River. Even when his hip was wrenched, Jacob held on and pleaded for a blessing. The man gave him a new name, Israel, meaning “one who struggles with God and prevails.” From that point, Jacob and his descendants were called Israelites.

Jew

The term Jew comes from the tribe of Judah, named after Jacob’s fourth son. From this tribe came King David, whose descendants ruled the Southern Kingdom of Judah after the nation of Israel divided. The people of this kingdom were called Judahites, a term that eventually evolved into Jews.