Biblical Hebrew Forum

[ben.crick AT argonet.co.uk (Ben and Jo Crick)]

On Tue  6 Aug 2002 (14:19:21), yigal-levin AT utc.edu wrote:
> Within the Bible, `Ibri is sometimes used as an "ethnic" term, and
> sometimes as a social one (as in "Hebrew servant"). Look at 1 Sam.
> 13:6-7,
> where "Israel" and "Hebrew" seem to refer to two different groups.
> 
> So it's not so simple.

 Dear Dr Levin,

 Indeed it is not. Please excuse my "silly season" short answer. Thank you
 for your most concise longer answer. I was not one who regarded the Habiru
 or `Apiru as "Hebrews"; but I do regard the descendants of Abraham as a 
subset
 of the descendants of 'Eber and of the "Semitic" tribes. The "Semitic"
 languages are "cognates": they are of common birth or origin.

 I am most grateful to you, as I am sure John Carras is.

 With best regards,
 Ben
-- 
 Revd Ben Crick BA CF, and Mrs Joanna (Goodwin) Crick
 <ben.crick AT argonet.co.uk>
 232 Canterbury Road, Birchington, Kent, CT7 9TD (UK)
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