Biblical Hebrew Forum

[Cindy Smith <cms AT dragon.com>]

>From:  MX%"dwashbur AT nyx.net"  "Dave Washburn" 30-JAN-2000 08:35:29.11
>To:    MX%"b-hebrew AT franklin.oit.unc.edu"
>Subj:  Re: Gen 14:13 Abraham the Hebrew

>From: "Dave Washburn" <dwashbur AT nyx.net>
>To: Biblical Hebrew <b-hebrew AT franklin.oit.unc.edu>
>Date: Sun, 30 Jan 2000 06:37:32 -0700

>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.

I think it's actually "Abram the Hebrew" at this point, as Abram had 
not yet had his name changed by the LORD to Abraham.  At any rate, the 
NAB notes say it means something like "immigrant."  Genesis 10:21 
says, "To Shem also, Japheth's oldest brother and the ancestor of all 
the children of Eber, sons were born."  See also 10:24-25.
Genesis 11:14 says, "When Shelah was thirty years old, he became the 
father of Eber."  The NAB notes say, "Eber:  the eponymous ancestor of 
the Hebrews, 'descendents of Eber' (Gn 10, 21.24-30); see note on 
Gn 14, 13."  Also, Numbers 24:24b, "When they have conquered Asshur 
and conquered Eber, He too shall perish forever."  Other references:  
1 Chronicles 1:18-19; 1:25; 5:13; 8:12; 8:22; Nehemiah 12:20; and, 
last but not least, Luke 3:35.

>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


Cindy Smith                                Spawn of a Jewish Carpenter
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cms AT 5sc.com                                  from day to day" Ecclus/Sira 5:8