Lexical Summary Ibri: Hebrews, Hebrew, Hebrew women Original Word: עִבְרִי Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Hebrewess, woman Patronymic from Eber; an Eberite (i.e. Hebrew) or descendant of Eber -- Hebrew(-ess, woman). see HEBREW Eber NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom Eber Definition perhaps desc. of Eber, also another name for an Isr. NASB Translation Hebrew (9), Hebrew man (2), Hebrew man...woman (1), Hebrew woman (1), Hebrew women (3), Hebrews (17), Hebrews' (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs I. עִבְרִי adjective and name of a people Hebrew, either a. put into the mouth of foreigners (Egyptian and Philistine), or b. used to distinguish Israel from foreigners (= one from beyond, from the other side, i.e. probably (in Hebrew tradition) from beyond the Euphrates (compare Joshua 24:2,3E), but possibly in fact (if name given in Cannan) from beyond the Jordan; compare Ges§ 2b Sta§ 1 b Köi. 18 ff. WeIsrael u. Jüd. Geschichte. 7 Kau'Eber' and 'Hebräer' in RiHWB 332; 600. — On connection of ׳ע (in wide sense) with –abiri (Tel Amarna) see WklGeschichte. Israel 17 ff.; Semitic Studies in Mem. of Kohut, 605 ff. EMeyAegyptica [Ebers], 75 compare GlaserMVG 1897, 255 ff. KöExp. Times xi. 238; opposed to JastrJBL xi (1892), 118 ff. SayMonuments 188; 333 WMMAs.u.Eur.396): — masculine singular ׳ע Genesis 39:14 +; feminine singular עִבְרִיָּה Deuteronomy 15:12; Jeremiah 34:9; masculine plural עִבְרִים Genesis 43:32 +, עִבְרִיִּים Exodus 3:18; feminine plural עִבְרִיֹּת Exodus 1:15 2t., וֺת- Exodus 1:16 word not in P; — 1. adjective a. אִישׁ עִבְרִי Genesis 39:14 compare Genesis 39:17 (both J), Genesis 41:12 (E). b. אִישׁ בְִרִי Exodus 2:11 compare Exodus 2:13; Exodus 21:2 (all E), Deuteronomy 15:12; Jeremiah 34:9,14; feminine Deuteronomy 15:12; Jeremiah 34:9. 2. noun a. b. Exodus 1:16,19; Exodus 2:17 (all feminine) Exodus 2:6 (all E), 1 Samuel 4:6,9; 1 Samuel 13:19; 1 Samuel 14:11; 1 Samuel 29:3. b. Genesis 40:15; Exodus 1:15 (feminine; both E), 1 Samuel 13:3; 1 Samuel 14:21; Genesis 43:32 (J); especially in אֱלֹהֵי הָעִבְרִים Exodus 3:18; Exodus 5:3; Exodus 7:16; Exodus 9:1,13; Exodus 10:3 (all J); singular only ׳אַבְרָם הָע Genesis 14:13 אָנֹ֑כִי ׳ע Jonah 1:9. — ᵐ5 Ἐβραῖος, Ἐβραία, Genesis 14:13 τῷ περάτῃ. — 1 Samuel 13:7 read probably for ׳וְעִבְרִים וגו, וְעָֽבְרוּ מַעְבְּרוֺת הַיַּרְדֵּן (We), or, better, וַיַּעַבְרוּ Dr Kit Löhr; > וְעַם רַב Klo Bu HPS. Topical Lexicon Overview The term עִבְרִי (Hebrew) functions in Scripture as an ethnonym for the covenant people descended from Eber through Abraham, and as an adjective describing language, land, or identity. It appears roughly thirty-four times, clustered in key redemptive-historical moments: the patriarchal narratives, the Exodus, the rise of the monarchy, and later prophetic calls to covenant faithfulness. Origins in the Patriarchal Narratives The earliest occurrence is “Abram the Hebrew” (Genesis 14:13). The designation highlights Abraham’s separation from surrounding nations and his unique calling. Joseph is twice labeled a Hebrew (Genesis 39:14, 41:12), and he applies the title to his homeland: “I was stolen from the land of the Hebrews” (Genesis 40:15). In these passages the word serves as a bridge term, intelligible to foreigners yet pregnant with covenant promise. The Designation in the Exodus Era Egyptian officials employ the term when addressing midwives: “When you serve as midwife to the Hebrew women…” (Exodus 1:16). Moses identifies with his oppressed kin: “He went out to his brothers and looked on their hard labor, and he saw an Egyptian striking a Hebrew” (Exodus 2:11). Throughout Exodus 1–3 the label underscores ethnic solidarity in suffering and God’s resolve to redeem. The covenant name Israel is prominent within the nation, yet in dialogue with outsiders “Hebrew” dominates, revealing both missional interface and subjugated status. Military and Political Connotations in the Monarchy Philistines consistently use “Hebrews” for Israelite troops (1 Samuel 4:6, 1 Samuel 14:11). The word can carry a note of disdain from enemies, yet also fear when the ark of God enters the camp: “Woe to us! Who can deliver us from the hand of these mighty gods? These are the gods who struck the Egyptians” (1 Samuel 4:8). Saul’s regime is introduced when “Saul blew the trumpet throughout all the land, saying, ‘Let the Hebrews hear’” (1 Samuel 13:3). The term thus moves from an outsider label to a rallying cry in national crisis. Social Justice and Covenant Law Mosaic legislation protects the vulnerable Hebrew slave (Exodus 21:2–6; Deuteronomy 15:12–18). Jeremiah revives that ordinance: “Each was to free his Hebrew slaves, both male and female, so that no one should enslave his fellow Judean” (Jeremiah 34:9). Failure to obey leads to prophetic rebuke and covenant sanctions. The recurrence of the term in slavery statutes underlines God’s concern that those once redeemed from bondage never perpetuate oppression among themselves. Prophetic and Poetic Echoes Jonah testifies before pagan sailors, “I am a Hebrew, and I fear the LORD, the God of heaven” (Jonah 1:9). Here the word links ethnic identity with monotheistic confession. Psalm superscriptions and later writings prefer “Israel,” yet the singular appearance in Jonah shows that “Hebrew” remains a potent self-identifier when bearing witness to the nations. Theological Significance 1. Redemptive continuity: The trajectory from “Abram the Hebrew” to the Church’s appropriation in Hebrews 11 presents a continuous line of faith and promise. Implications for Contemporary Ministry • Ethnic humility: Just as “Hebrew” reminded Israel of God’s elective grace, believers remember that their identity is received, not achieved. Representative Occurrences Genesis 14:13; Genesis 39:14; Genesis 41:12 Exodus 1:15–16; Exodus 2:11, 13 Exodus 21:2; Deuteronomy 15:12 1 Samuel 4:6, 9; 1 Samuel 13:3; 1 Samuel 14:11, 21 Forms and Transliterations הָֽעִבְרִ֔ים הָֽעִבְרִ֖ים הָֽעִבְרִ֗י הָֽעִבְרִ֛י הָֽעִבְרִיִּים֙ הָֽעִבְרִיָּ֔ה הָֽעִבְרִיֹּ֑ת הָֽעִבְרִיּ֔וֹת הָֽעִבְרִים֙ הָעִבְרִ֑י הָעִבְרִ֑ים הָעִבְרִ֔ים הָעִבְרִ֖ים הָעִבְרִ֜י הָעִבְרִ֣ים הָעִבְרִ֥י הָעִבְרִֽים׃ הָעִבְרִיֹּ֑ת הָעִבְרִים֙ העברי העבריה העבריות העבריים העברים העברים׃ העברית וְהָעִבְרִ֗ים וְהָעִבְרִיָּ֖ה וְעִבְרִ֗ים והעבריה והעברים ועברים לָעִבְרִ֔ים לעברים עִבְרִ֔י עִבְרִ֖י עִבְרִ֖ים עִבְרִ֗י עִבְרִ֣י עִבְרִים֙ עברי עברים ‘iḇ·rî ‘iḇ·rîm ‘iḇrî ‘iḇrîm hā‘iḇrî hā‘iḇrîm hā‘iḇrîyāh hā‘iḇrîyîm hā‘iḇrîyōṯ hā‘iḇrîyōwṯ hā·‘iḇ·rî hā·‘iḇ·rî·yāh hā·‘iḇ·rî·yîm hā·‘iḇ·rî·yō·wṯ hā·‘iḇ·rî·yōṯ hā·‘iḇ·rîm haivRi haivRim haivriYah haivriYim haivriYot ivRi ivRim lā‘iḇrîm lā·‘iḇ·rîm laivRim vehaivRim vehaivriYah veivRim wə‘iḇrîm wə·‘iḇ·rîm wə·hā·‘iḇ·rî·yāh wə·hā·‘iḇ·rîm wəhā‘iḇrîm wəhā‘iḇrîyāhLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 14:13 HEB: וַיַּגֵּ֖ד לְאַבְרָ֣ם הָעִבְרִ֑י וְהוּא֩ שֹׁכֵ֨ן NAS: Abram the Hebrew. Now he was living KJV: Abram the Hebrew; for he dwelt INT: and told Abram the Hebrew now he was living Genesis 39:14 Genesis 39:17 Genesis 40:15 Genesis 41:12 Genesis 43:32 Exodus 1:15 Exodus 1:16 Exodus 1:19 Exodus 2:6 Exodus 2:7 Exodus 2:11 Exodus 2:13 Exodus 3:18 Exodus 5:3 Exodus 7:16 Exodus 9:1 Exodus 9:13 Exodus 10:3 Exodus 21:2 Deuteronomy 15:12 Deuteronomy 15:12 1 Samuel 4:6 1 Samuel 4:9 1 Samuel 13:3 34 Occurrences |
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