Hebrew; Hebrewess
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia [1]
hē´broo , hē´broo - es ( עברי , ‛ibhrı̄ , feminine עבריּה , ‛ibhrı̄yāh ; Ἑβραῖος , Hebraı́os ): 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, 1 Samuel 4:6 , 1 Samuel 4:9; 1 Samuel 13:7 , 1 Samuel 13:19 , etc.; later, Jeremiah 34:9 , "Hebrewess," Jeremiah 34:14; Jonah 1:9; in the New Testament, Acts 6:1; 2 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 , Genesis 10:25 , etc.), or, as some think, from the verb עבר , ‛ābhar , "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 ( Hebraistı́ , 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.
