Skip to Content.
Sympa Menu

b-hebrew - Re: Meaning of term "Hebrew"

b-hebrew AT lists.ibiblio.org

Subject: Biblical Hebrew Forum

List archive

Chronological Thread  
  • From: "Shai Heijmans" <shaih AT post.tau.ac.il>
  • To: b-hebrew AT franklin.oit.unc.edu
  • Subject: Re: Meaning of term "Hebrew"
  • Date: Tue, 6 Aug 2002 06:23:42 -0400


Dear Mr. Carras,

"Hebrew" entered the english language (through latin
< greek < aramaic) from the hebrew "ivri" = "belonging to the hebrews", see
e.g. Jona 1, 9.

As far as I know, the greeks were the first to use this term to as denote
the language of the bible. The term "ivrit" was used before the greeks in
the rabbinic literature, but there it meant mainly the aramaic language,
not the hebrew language.

As to the origin of the term "ivri" - it is quite obscure. Some say it is
related to the "khabiru" tribe. If you are interested in the etymology of
"ivri", see the literature in the Kohler-Baumbgartner Dictionary, under
"ivri" (p. 782a). A good summary of the literature can be found in the
Encyclopaedia Biblica [in Heb], vol 6, p. 49-50.

Shai Heijmans
Tel Aviv Univeristy


> b-hebrew,
> What is the origin and meaning of the term "hebrew?"
>
> har1marjohn AT juno.com
>
> Thank you,
> John Carras




Archive powered by MHonArc 2.6.24.

Top of Page