Biblical Hebrew Forum

[Cyber Vision <sundance AT houston.rr.com>]

From: "Bryant J. Williams III" <bjwvmw AT com-pair.net> 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          quoted for research per QUESTION:

GIVEN <<'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).">>  it appears that BOTH
Jews and Muslims (all descended from Abraham) may be called HEBREWS, yes?

sources, critical scholarly discussion re word meanings, origins welcome:
Harold Helm <sundance AT houston.rr.com> TX USA  phone 713-529-2333