About HEBREW

Hebrew Name

עִבְרִי

English Name

HEBREW

Phonetic Spelling

IV-REE

What does HEBREW mean?

God’s chosen people have gone by many names. They are referred to as “Israelites,” the children of Jacob whose name was changed to Israel. And they are commonly referred to as Jews, for after the destruction of the first Temple and their exile to Babylonia, most of the Israelites who did not assimilate and disappear descended from the tribe of Judah. But before they received either of these names, they were known as Ivrim, “Hebrews.”

וַיָּבֹא֙ הַפָּלִ֔יט וַיַּגֵּ֖ד לְאַבְרָ֣ם הָעִבְרִ֑י וְהוּא֩ שֹׁכֵ֨ן בְּאֵֽלֹנֵ֜י מַמְרֵ֣א הָאֱמֹרִ֗י אֲחִ֤י אֶשְׁכֹּל֙ וַאֲחִ֣י עָנֵ֔ר וְהֵ֖ם בַּעֲלֵ֥י בְרִית־אַבְרָֽם׃
A fugitive brought the news to Avram the Hebrew, who was dwelling at the terebinths of Mamre the Amorite, kinsman of Eshkol and Aner, these being Avram's allies.
vai-YA-voh ha-pa-LEET va-YA-ged l'-av-RAM ha-eev-REE v'-HU sho-KHEN b'-e-lo-NEI mam-RAY ha-e-MO-ree a-KHEE esh-KOL va-a-KHEE a-NEIR v'-HEM ba-a-LAY b'-REET a-v'-RAM
Genesis 14:13

וְאָמַרְתָּ֣ אֵלָ֗יו יְהֹוָ֞ה אֱלֹהֵ֤י הָעִבְרִים֙ שְׁלָחַ֤נִי אֵלֶ֙יךָ֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר שַׁלַּח֙ אֶת־עַמִּ֔י וְיַֽעַבְדֻ֖נִי בַּמִּדְבָּ֑ר וְהִנֵּ֥ה לֹא־שָׁמַ֖עְתָּ עַד־כֹּֽה׃
And say to him, ‘Hashem, the God of the Hebrews, sent me to you to say, “Let My people go that they may worship Me in the wilderness.” But you have paid no heed until now.
v'-ha-ba-EEM za-KHAR u-ne-KE-va mi-KOL ba-SAR ba-U ka-a-SHER tzi-VAH o-TO e-lo-HEEM va-yis-GOR a-do-NAI ba-a-DO
Exodus 7:16

Description about HEBREW

God’s chosen people have gone by many names. They are referred to as “Israelites,” the children of Jacob whose name was changed to Israel. And they are commonly referred to as Jews, for after the destruction of the first Temple and their exile to Babylonia, most of the Israelites who did not assimilate and disappear descended from the tribe of Judah. But before they received either of these names, they were known as Ivrim, “Hebrews.” What is the meaning of this name? Some explain that Abraham is referred to as an Ivri because he was a descendant of Eber. Others highlight the linguistic connection between ivri and the Hebrew word Eiver, meaning “side,” for Abraham immigrated to Israel from the other “side” of the Jordan River, having come from the East. A deeper message emerges from the connection between Ivri and Eiver. From a young age, Abraham was unlike any other people of his generation. As it related to religious beliefs, morality and ethics, it can be said that the whole world was on one side, and Abraham was on the other. He was not afraid to be different and didn’t shy away from speaking out against evil. For him, living a life of truth mattered more than receiving the approval of others. This made Abraham worthy of bringing God’s message to the world. God tells Moses to refer to Him as the “God of the Hebrews” when he confronts Pharaoh and cries out, “Let my people go!” For by using this name, Moses conveyed a critical message to Pharaoh: that Moses’ people were unlike any other nation! The Hebrews believed in God, and they would not be afraid to stand up against those who sought to oppress them, a strength they inherited from Abraham, the very first Ivri.

Attribute of HEBREW

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