Hebrew, Hebrewess
Hebrew, Hebrewess
hebroo, hebroo-es (, ibhr, feminine , ibhryah; , Hebraos): The earliest name for Abraham (Gen 14:13) and his descendants (Joseph, Gen 39:14, Gen 39:17; Gen 40:15; Gen 41:12; Gen 43:32; Israelites in Egypt, Exo 1:15; Exo 2:6, Exo 2:11, Exo 2:13; Exo 3:18; in laws, Exo 21:2; Deu 15:12; in history, 1Sa 4:6, 1Sa 4:9; 1Sa 13:7, 1Sa 13:19, etc.; later, Jer 34:9, Hebrewess, Jer 34:14; Jon 1:9; in the New Testament, Act 6:1; 2Co 11:22; Phi 3:5). The etymology of the word is disputed. It may be derived from Eber (Gen 10:21, Gen 10:24, Gen 10:25, etc.), or, as some think, from the verb , abhar, to cross over (people from across the Euphrates; compare Jos 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 Act 6:1, the Hebrews are contrasted with Hellenists, or Greek-speaking Jews. By the Hebrew tongue in the New Testament (Hebraist, Joh 5:2; Joh 19:13, Joh 19:17, Joh 19:20; Joh 20:16) is meant ARAMAIC (which see), but also in Rev 9:11; Rev 16:16, Hebrew proper.