Origin of the Name "Hebrew" in Biblical Context

The term "Hebrew" first appears in the Bible in Genesis 14:13, referring to Abram ^[9]. This designation is primarily used by foreigners when speaking of Israelites, or by Israelites when addressing foreigners or distinguishing themselves from other peoples ^[2].

Several theories exist regarding the origin of the name "Hebrew." One prominent view traces the name to Eber, an ancestor of Abraham mentioned in Genesis 10:24 ^{[1, 2, 11]}. According to this perspective, the Hebrews are considered "sons of Eber" ^[2]. Hitchcock's Bible Names similarly defines "Hebrews" as "descendants of Heber" ^[4]. The Tyndale House commentary on Genesis 10:24 notes that Eber was an ancestor of Abram and that his name is at the root of the term "Hebrew" ^[11].

Another explanation links the name to the concept of "crossing over" or being "from the other side." Smith's Bible Dictionary suggests that Abram was called "Hebrew" by the Canaanites because he had crossed the Euphrates River ^[1]. This derivation from the root 'eber, meaning "beyond" or "on the other side," would distinguish Abraham and his descendants as those who came from east of the Euphrates ^[1]. Ramban (Nachmanides) supports this, stating that Abraham was called "Abraham the Hebrew" because he came from across the River Euphrates ^[10]. This understanding implies that the name served to identify them as distinct from the peoples in Canaanite lands ^[10].

The usage of "Hebrew" in biblical texts often highlights this distinction. For instance, in Genesis 39:14 and 40:15, the term is used in contexts involving foreigners ^{[2, 3]}. Abraham Ibn Ezra notes that "the God of the Hebrews" was a familiar concept to the Egyptians, indicating that "Hebrew" was a recognized identifier for Abraham's descendants among other nations ^[8].

It is important to differentiate "Hebrew" from other terms used for the Israelite people. "Israelite" was a term Jews used among themselves, often referring to their theocratic identity and descent from Jacob (Israel) ^{[1, 6]}. The term "Jew," derived from Judah, initially referred to those from the tribe or kingdom of Judah, but later expanded to encompass the entire Hebrew nation after the Babylonian Captivity ^[3]. The apostle Paul, in 2 Corinthians 11:22 and Philippians 3:5, uses "Hebrew" to emphasize his linguistic and national heritage, distinguishing himself as a Hebrew-speaking Jew rather than a Hellenist (Greek-speaking Jew) ^[6]. John Gill further clarifies that the nation of Jews were called Hebrews, and that Abraham himself was called a Hebrew in Genesis 14:13 ^[7].

The term "Hebrew" is not considered equivalent to "Habiru," a group of mercenaries mentioned in Egyptian texts from the era of the judges ^[9]. While the name "Hebrew" is ancient, the term "Hebrew language" as a specific designation for their tongue is primarily post-Old Testament; in the Old Testament, it is often referred to as "Jewish" ^[5]. The use of "Hebrew" thus served as an external identifier, marking the people as distinct in their origins and interactions with other nations.

Sources

Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Hebrew — This word first occurs as given to Abram by the Canaanites, (Genesis 4:13) because he had crossed the Euphrates. The name is also derived from Eber, "beyond, on the other side," Abraham and his posterity being called Hebrews in order to express a distinction between the races east and west of the Euphrates. It may also be derived from Heber, one of the ancestors of Abraham. (Genesis 10:24) The term Israelite was used by the Jews of themselves among themselves; the term Hebrew was the name by which they were known to foreigners. The latter was accepted by the ”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Hebrew — A name applied to the Israelites in Scripture only by one who is a foreigner (Gen. 39:14, 17; 41:12, etc.), or by the Israelites when they speak of themselves to foreigners (40:15; Ex. 1:19), or when spoken of an contrasted with other peoples (Gen. 43:32; Ex. 1:3, 7, 15; Deut. 15:12). In the New Testament there is the same contrast between Hebrews and foreigners (Acts 6:1; Phil. 3:5). Derivation. (1.) The name is derived, according to some, from Eber (Gen. 10:24), the ancestor of Abraham. The Hebrews are "sons of Eber" (10:21). (2.) Others trace the name of ”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Jew — The name derived from the patriarch Judah, at first given to one belonging to the tribe of Judah or to the separate kingdom of Judah (2 Kings 16:6; 25:25; Jer. 32:12; 38:19; 40:11; 41:3), in contradistinction from those belonging to the kingdom of the ten tribes, who were called Israelites. During the Captivity, and after the Restoration, the name, however, was extended to all the Hebrew nation without distinction (Esther 3:6, 10; Dan. 3:8, 12; Ezra 4:12; 5:1, 5). Originally this people were called Hebrews (Gen. 39:14; 40:15; Ex. 2:7; 3:18; 5:3; 1 Sam. 4:6, 9, ”
Hitchcock's Bible Names “Hitchcock's Bible Names: Hebrews — descendants of Heber”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Hebrew language — The language of the Hebrew nation, and that in which the Old Testament is written, with the exception of a few portions in Chaldee. In the Old Testament it is only spoken of as "Jewish" (2 Kings 18:26, 28; Isa. 36:11, 13; 2 Chr 32:18). This name is first used by the Jews in times subsequent to the close of the Old Testament. It is one of the class of languages called Semitic, because they were chiefly spoken among the descendants of Shem. When Abraham entered Canaan it is obvious that he found the language of its inhabitants closely allied to his ow”
2 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 2 Corinthians 11:22: Hebrews . . . Israelites . . . the seed of Abraham--A climax. "Hebrews," referring to the language and nationality; "Israelites," to the theocracy and descent from Israel, the "prince who prevailed with God" (Rom 9:4); "the seed of Abraham," to the claim to a share in the Messiah (Rom 11:1; Rom 9:7). Compare Phi 3:5, "An Hebrew of the Hebrews," not an Hellenist or Greek-speaking Jew, but a Hebrew in tongue, and sprung from Hebrews.”
2 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 2 Corinthians 11:21: Are they Hebrews? so am I,.... The nation of the Jews were called Hebrews, not from Abraham, as some have (w) thought, through ignorance of the Hebrew language, which will by no means admit of such a derivation and etymology of the name; wherefore the Jewish writers never make mention of this opinion as among any of them; had they took their name from Abram or Abraham, they would rather have been called Abramires or Abrahamites, and not Hebrews; besides, Abraham himself is called an Hebrew, Gen 14:13 and to be so called from himself, and not denominated from s”
Sefaria (Jewish (Rationalist)) “Abraham Ibn Ezra on Exodus 5:3: AND THEY SAID. This name 12 The Tetragrammaton. refers to the God of the Hebrews. The Hebrews were a group whom the Egyptians were familiar with. 13 Hence Moses identified YHVH as the God of the Hebrews. The term Hebrew refers to Abraham, who is called the Hebrew. 14 See Gen. 14:13. It likewise refers to Abraham’s son Isaac and to Jacob and his sons, 15 It thus applies to the Israelites, hence the term, “the God of the Hebrews.” I.E. explains that the term Hebrew refers to Israelites because there were some commentators who believed that it applied to non-Israel”
Genesis (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Genesis 14:13: 14:13 The word Hebrew first occurs here in the Bible. It is not equivalent to the later term Habiru from Egyptian texts; the Habiru were mercenaries that roamed the land in the era of the judges. • Mamre: See study note on 13:18. • relatives: Or allies; literally brothers.”
Sefaria (Jewish (Kabbalistic/Philosophical)) “Ramban (Nachmanides) on Genesis 40:15: THE LAND OF THE HEBREWS. This means the land of Hebron, wherein dwelt Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Abraham, the head of the lineage, was called “Abraham the Hebrew” 275 Above, 14:13. since he came from across the River Euphrates, and he was honored among the nations for in him was fulfilled the blessing, And I will make thy name great . 276 Ibid. , 12:2. It is for this reason that all of his seed are called Ivrim (Hebrews). They hold on to this name in order not to intermingle with the various peoples in the Canaanite lands, and this name has been establish”
Genesis (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Genesis 10:24: 10:24 Shelah is unknown, but may be short for Methushelah (cp. 38:5, 11). • Eber was the ancestor of Abram the Hebrew (11:10-26); his name is at the root of the term “Hebrew” (see 14:13; 39:14; 40:15; 41:12; Exod 2:11; 3:18).”

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