Lexical Summary Cheber: Heber Original Word: חֶבֶר Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Heber The same as cheber; community; Cheber, the name of a Kenite and of three Israelites -- Heber. see HEBREW cheber NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom chabar Definition a Kenite, also several Isr. NASB Translation Heber (10), Heber's (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs II. חֶ֫בֶר, חֵ֫בֶר proper name, masculine 1. חֶבֶר (ᵐ5 Χαβερ) the Kenite, husband of Deborah Judges 4:11,17 (twice in verse); Judges 4:21; Judges 5:24. 2 a man of Asher חִבֶר Genesis 46:17 (P) ᵐ5 Ξοβωρ 1 Chronicles 7:31,32 ᵐ5 Ξαβερ ᵐ5L Ιεχοβερ; חֵבֶר Numbers 26:45 ᵐ5 Ξοβερ; on possible identification with –abiri of Tel el Amarna v JastrJBL 1892, xi. 118 ff. 1893, xii. 61 ff 3 חֶבֶר name in Judah 1 Chronicles 4:18 ᵐ5 Αβεισα, ᵐ5L Αβερ. 4 חָ֑בֶר a Benjamite 1 Chronicles 8:17 ᵐ5 Αβαρ ᵐ5L Αβερ. Topical Lexicon Occurrences and DistributionHeber appears eleven times in the Old Testament, designating several distinct individuals scattered across Israel’s early history and tribal records (Genesis 46:17; Numbers 26:45; Judges 4:11, 17, 21; Judges 5:24; 1 Chronicles 4:18; 7:31-32; 8:17). The name surfaces in four main contexts: the clan of Asher, a Judahite family, a Benjaminite genealogy, and—most memorably—Heber the Kenite in the era of the Judges. Though these men lived in different centuries and settings, their accounts collectively highlight divine providence at work through familial lines, covenant loyalties, and unexpected instruments of deliverance. Heber within the Tribe of Asher The first biblical mention comes in Jacob’s household list: “The sons of Beriah were Heber and Malchiel” (Genesis 46:17). Generations later, the census at Sinai records a flourishing “family of the Heberites” (Numbers 26:45). That clan testifies to God’s promise that the sons of Israel would multiply even in the wilderness. While Scripture offers no individual exploits from this Asherite branch, their preservation in the sacred record underscores the importance of every tribe and family in the unfolding redemptive plan. Heber the Kenite: An Ally in Israel’s Deliverance The most detailed narrative centers on Heber the Kenite during the time of Deborah and Barak. Although of Midianite descent through Hobab (Moses’ father-in-law), Heber “had separated from the other Kenites … and had pitched his tent by the great tree of Zaanannim” (Judges 4:11). His choice of residence placed his household at a strategic crossroads when Sisera, commander of Jabin’s army, fled the battlefield. Scripture notes “peace between Jabin king of Hazor and the household of Heber the Kenite” (Judges 4:17). Yet that political neutrality did not bind Jael, Heber’s wife, when Sisera sought refuge in her tent. Acting with decisive courage, she drove a tent peg through the oppressor’s temple (Judges 4:21), fulfilling Deborah’s prophecy that “the LORD will sell Sisera into the hands of a woman” (Judges 4:9). Deborah’s victory song immortalizes the moment: “Most blessed among women is Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite” (Judges 5:24). Through this household, God shattered Canaanite tyranny and invigorated Israel’s faith. Genealogical Mentions in Judah and Benjamin 1 Chronicles preserves two more Hebers. In Judah’s line, Mered’s Egyptian wife bore “Heber the father of Soco” (1 Chronicles 4:18), hinting at cultural integration without loss of covenant identity. In Benjamin’s register, Heber appears among the sons of Elpaal (1 Chronicles 8:17), part of the tribe that later supplied Israel’s first king and the apostle Paul. These brief notices reinforce the chronicler’s theme that every family, however small, contributes to the nation’s collective history and worship. Themes and Ministry Significance 1. Divine Multiplication. The Asherite Heber demonstrates how God transforms a single grandson into an entire clan, reminding believers that the Lord honors covenant faithfulness across generations (cf. Deuteronomy 7:9). 2. Strategic Separation. Heber the Kenite “separated” from his kinsmen, a move that positioned his family to play a critical role in deliverance. Sometimes obedience requires geographical—or cultural—distance so that God’s purposes can unfold unhindered. 3. Hospitality and Courage. Jael’s tent represented both sanctuary and battleground. Her hospitality lured Sisera to rest; her courage ended his oppression. Ministry today likewise marries compassion with boldness, offering refuge to the needy while resisting evil. 4. Honor for the Obscure. Most Hebers surface only in genealogies, yet Scripture records their names. The Lord values every believer’s legacy, even those unknown to wider history (Malachi 3:16). Practical Applications for Believers • Cultivate a household ready for God’s purposes. Heber the Kenite’s tent became the stage for divine victory because it was available and undefiled by idolatry. • Embrace godly separations. Strategic distance from compromising alliances can position believers for greater usefulness. • Recognize the power of faithful women. Jael’s act affirms that God equips all His servants—regardless of gender—to vanquish spiritual adversaries. • Preserve spiritual heritage. Like the Heberites of Asher, families today can nurture generational faithfulness that outlives individual lifespans. In each occurrence, the name Heber quietly threads through Scripture as a reminder that God weaves ordinary lives into extraordinary outcomes, safeguarding His people and advancing His redemptive plan through clans, marriages, and individual acts of fearless obedience. Forms and Transliterations וְחֶ֙בֶר֙ וְחֶ֤בֶר וָחָֽבֶר׃ וחבר וחבר׃ חֶ֖בֶר חֶ֙בֶר֙ חֶ֠בֶר חֶ֣בֶר חֶ֥בֶר חבר לְחֶ֕בֶר לחבר Chever lə·ḥe·ḇer leChever ləḥeḇer vaChaver veChever wā·ḥā·ḇer wāḥāḇer wə·ḥe·ḇer wəḥeḇerLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 46:17 HEB: וּבְנֵ֣י בְרִיעָ֔ה חֶ֖בֶר וּמַלְכִּיאֵֽל׃ NAS: of Beriah: Heber and Malchiel. KJV: of Beriah; Heber, and Malchiel. INT: and the sons of Beriah Heber and Malchiel Numbers 26:45 Judges 4:11 Judges 4:17 Judges 4:17 Judges 4:21 Judges 5:24 1 Chronicles 4:18 1 Chronicles 7:31 1 Chronicles 7:32 1 Chronicles 8:17 11 Occurrences |
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