Hebrew; Hebrewess

he'-broo, he'-broo-es (`ibhri, feminine `ibhriyah; Hebraios): 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, Exod 1:15; Exod 2:6; Exod 2:11; Exod 2:13; Exod 3:18; in laws, Exod 21:2; Deut 15:12; in history, 1 Sam 4:6; 1 Sam 4:9; 1 Sam 13:7; 1 Sam 13:19, etc.; later, Jer 34:9, "Hebrewess," 34:14; Jonah 1:9; in the New Testament, Acts 6:1; 2 Cor 11:22; Phil 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 Josh 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 Rev 9:11; Rev 16:16, Hebrew proper.

James Orr