Topical Bible: The Jews: Called: Hebrews

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Topical Encyclopedia

The term "Hebrews" is one of the earliest designations for the Jewish people, tracing back to the patriarch Abraham, who is often considered the first Hebrew. The name "Hebrew" is believed to be derived from "Eber," an ancestor of Abraham, as mentioned in the genealogies of Genesis. The Hebrews are a Semitic people, and their history is intricately woven into the narrative of the Old Testament.

Biblical Origins and Usage

The first mention of the term "Hebrew" in the Bible is found in Genesis 14:13, where Abram (later Abraham) is referred to as "Abram the Hebrew." This designation highlights his identity as a member of a distinct ethnic and cultural group. The term is used throughout the Old Testament to describe the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who are collectively known as the Israelites.

In Exodus 1:15-16, the term "Hebrew" is used to describe the people enslaved in Egypt: "Then the king of Egypt said to the Hebrew midwives, whose names were Shiphrah and Puah, 'When you help the Hebrew women give birth, observe them as they deliver. If the child is a son, kill him; but if it is a daughter, let her live.'" This passage underscores the identity of the Hebrews as a distinct group within Egypt, set apart by their lineage and faith.

Covenantal Identity

The Hebrews are central to the biblical narrative as the recipients of God's covenantal promises. In Genesis 12:1-3, God calls Abram to leave his homeland and promises to make him a great nation: "I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, so that you will be a blessing." This covenant is further established with Abraham's descendants, Isaac and Jacob, and is a foundational element of Hebrew identity.

The covenantal relationship is reaffirmed at Mount Sinai, where the Hebrews, now a nation, receive the Law through Moses. This event, recorded in Exodus 19-20, marks the formal establishment of the Israelites as God's chosen people, bound by the covenant to follow His commandments.

Cultural and Religious Significance

The Hebrews are not only a people defined by their ancestry but also by their faith and practices. The Hebrew language, in which much of the Old Testament was written, is a significant aspect of their cultural heritage. The religious practices, including the observance of the Sabbath, dietary laws, and festivals such as Passover, are integral to Hebrew identity and are detailed in the Torah.

The Hebrews' faith in Yahweh, the one true God, sets them apart from the polytheistic cultures surrounding them. This monotheistic belief is a cornerstone of their identity and is emphasized throughout the Scriptures. In Deuteronomy 6:4-5, known as the Shema, the central tenet of Hebrew faith is declared: "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is One. And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength."

Historical Context

Throughout history, the Hebrews faced numerous challenges, including slavery in Egypt, wandering in the wilderness, and conquest by foreign powers. Despite these trials, their identity as Hebrews remained intact, rooted in their covenant with God and their shared history.

The term "Hebrew" is used interchangeably with "Israelite" and "Jew" in various contexts, reflecting the evolving identity of the people through different historical periods. In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul refers to himself as a Hebrew in Philippians 3:5, emphasizing his heritage: "circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee."

Conclusion

The designation "Hebrews" encapsulates the early identity of the Jewish people, highlighting their ancestral roots, covenantal relationship with God, and distinct cultural and religious practices. As the narrative of the Bible unfolds, the Hebrews emerge as a people chosen by God to fulfill His purposes, bearing witness to His faithfulness throughout the generations.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Genesis 14:13
And there came one that had escaped, and told Abram the Hebrew; for he dwelled in the plain of Mamre the Amorite, brother of Eshcol, and brother of Aner: and these were confederate with Abram.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Genesis 40:15
For indeed I was stolen away out of the land of the Hebrews: and here also have I done nothing that they should put me into the dungeon.
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2 Corinthians 11:22
Are they Hebrews? so am I. Are they Israelites? so am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? so am I.
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Library

Having Called a Council, the High Priests and Scribes Annas and ...
... And the Jews seeing what the runner had done, cried out ... And Pilate having called
the runner, says to him: Why ... an ass, and the sons of the Hebrews held branches ...
/.../unknown/the gospel of nicodemus /chapter 1 having called a.htm

How the Hebrews Fought with the Midianites, and Overcame Them.
The Antiquities of the Jews. ... the king that built it; but is by the Greeks
called"Petra ... Now when the enemies were discomfited, the Hebrews spoiled their country ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 7 how the hebrews.htm

The Expedition of the Philistines against the Hebrews and the ...
... This thing affrighted the Hebrews, and put them into disorder ... they should be conquerors,
since the Jews [5] were ... them to Bethcar, a place so called; and there ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 2 the expedition of.htm

Hebrews i. 8-Jun
... Hebrews i.6-8 ... by his indicating two Persons, both God and Man; [2766] the other Jews,
[2767] I ... O God, is for ever and ever." Nor would he have called the name ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily iii hebrews i 8-jun.htm

Book 1 Footnotes:
... [18] That the Jews were called Hebrews from this their progenitor Heber, our author
Josephus here rightly affirms; and not from Abram the Hebrew, or passenger ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/book 1 footnotes .htm

How the Hebrews were Delivered from a Famine when the Gibeonites ...
The Antiquities of the Jews. ... man, when, in the wars against the Philistines, they
pitched their camp at a place called Lehi, and when the Hebrews were again ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 12 how the hebrews.htm

Homilies on the Epistle to the Hebrews.
... in all his afflictions, [3391]ib.; his apology to the Hebrews, [3392]520 ... has His
beginning from the holy Virgin, [3398]407; his followers called Jews, [3399]376 ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homilies on the epistle to.htm

Hebrews iii. 11-Jul
... Hebrews iii.7-11 ... nevertheless it was a country of strong and invincible men: and
the ungrateful and senseless Jews, when they ought to have called to mind ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily vi hebrews iii 11-jul.htm

How the Hebrews under the Conduct of Moses Left Egypt.
The Antiquities of the Jews. ... 1. So the Hebrews went out of Egypt, while the Egyptians
wept, and ... on the third day they came to a place called Beelzephon, on the ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 15 how the hebrews.htm

Called to Reach a Higher Standard
... had prepared the way for sins that called forth the ... worship of Baalpeor, that many
of the Hebrews fell through ... Give none offense, neither to the Jews, nor to ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 30 called to reach.htm