Biblical Hebrew Forum

["Dave Washburn" <dwashbur AT nyx.net>]

Brian,
> Gen 14:13 refers to Abraham the `Ibriy. Could this be an identification of 
> Abraham as a Habiru - a term often used to mean 'gypsy', or 'peasant', 
> perhaps 'nomad'? As the term 'Hebrew' implies the Jewish nation - at that 
> stage in the Biblical narrative Abraham's household is no more than a 
> wandering troupe - would it be more accurate to translate the phrase 
> 'Abraham the Hebrew' as 'Abraham the Nomad' or "Gypsy'?

My understanding - though where it came from is lost in the mists 
of my long term memory loss - is that the term was built on the 
name of his reported ancestor Eber, hence "Abraham the Eberite."  
I have no idea how correct or accepted this view is, but there it is 
for whatever it's worth.


Dave Washburn
http://www.nyx.net/~dwashbur
Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth;
give me an undivided heart that I may fear your name.
                                   Psalm 86:11