Biblical Hebrew Forum

["Bryant J. Williams III" <bjwvmw AT com-pair.net>]

Dear List Moderator,

The following is a copy of the message sent in response to John Carras on 
080502, @ 2341 (11:41
PM). Did you receive it?

Dear John,

According to the article by R. Laird Harris, in TWOT (Theological Wordbook of 
the Old
Testament), Vol. 2, p. 643, "The biblical record quite definitely indicates 
'ibri is derived
from Eber, the name of one of Shem's sons (Gen 10:21; 11:14, 16). Abraham is 
identified as a
descendant of Shem, of Eber's line (Gen 11:26)." 'ibri is used of the 
descendants of Eber,
through Abraham, through Isaac, through Jacob, by which the covenant people 
were designated. It
apparently used by non-Israelites as a derogatory term to indicate "stranger, 
non-native,
alien."
TWOT thus indicates that BDB (contra KB (Koehler and Baumgartner))derives the 
term from 'abar
with the connotation of "one from beyond," "from the other side." Hence, the 
idea of "stranger,
non-native, alien," etc. Attempts have been made to reconcile this group of 
people with the
"habiru," but the evidence is quite inconclusive/ambiguous.

En Xpistw,

Rev. Bryant J. Williams III



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