The meaning of Hebrew; Hebrewess in the Bible
(From International Standard Bible Encyclopedia)

he'-broo, he'-broo-es ('ibhri, feminine 'ibhriyah; Hebraios): The earliest name for Abraham (Genesis 14:13) and his descendants (Joseph, Genesis 39:14, Genesis 39:17; Genesis 40:15; Genesis 41:12; Genesis 43:32; Israelites in Egypt, Exodus 1:15; Exodus 2:6, Exodus 2:11, Exodus 2:13; Exodus 3:18; in laws, Exodus 21:2; Deuteronomy 15:12; in history, I Samuel 4:6, I Samuel 4:9; I Samuel 13:7, I Samuel 13:19, etc.; later, Jeremiah 34:9, "Hebrewess," Jeremiah 34:14; Jonah 1:9; in the New Testament, Acts 6:1; II Corinthians 11:22; Philippians 3:5). The etymology of the word is disputed. It may be derived from Eber (Genesis 10:21, Genesis 10:24-25, etc.), or, as some think, from the verb 'abhar, "to cross over" (people from across the Euphrates; compare Joshua 24:2). A connection is sought by some with the apri or epri of the Egyptian monuments, and again with the Habiri of the Tell el-Amarna Letters. In Acts 6:1, the "Hebrews" are contrasted with "Hellenists," or Greek-speaking Jews. By the "Hebrew" tongue in the New Testament (Hebraisti, John 5:2; John 19:13, John 19:17, John 19:20; John 20:16) is meant ARAMAIC (which see), but also in Revelation 9:11; Revelation 16:16, Hebrew proper.

James Orr

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