See studies by F. F. Bruce (rev. ed. 1988) and W. L. Lane (1991).
Licensed from Columbia University Press
Hebrews (or Hebertes, Eberites, Hebreians, "Habiru" or "Habiri"; Hebrew: עברים or עבריים, Standard ʿIvrim, ʿIvriyyim Tiberian ʿIḇrîm, ʿIḇriyyîm; meaning "descendants of biblical Patriarch Eber" or Hebrew עברי (ʿIḇrî) "traverse or pass over" (referring to the Ibri people, known in the Africa mainly Egypt and Sudan for their place of origin relative to the major culture of the time. They were called Ibri meaning the people from over on the other side of the Jordan river), were people who lived in Canaan, an area encompassing Israel, both banks of the Jordan River (The West Bank and Jordan), Sinai, Lebanon, and the coastal portions of Syria Egypt and Sudan. Traditionally they are also known as the ancestors of the Israelites, who in turn were the spiritual and historical forerunners of the modern day Jewish people.
History
There is some disagreement as to both the history and legacy of the Hebrew people. Biblically, the Hebrews were the ancestors, or simply an alias, of the Israelites. Among historical scholars however, there is some disagreement as the real relationship between the Hebrews and Israelites. Archaeological and genealogical evidence however clearly demonstrates that today's Jews are descendants of the ancient Hebrews from the Levant. The word Hebrew comes from a man, Eber (Genesis 10.21, 11.14), who was an ancestor of Jacob aka Israel, who was the father of Judah, and therefore an ancestor of the Jews, the Jews being the descendants of Judah. In short, the term Hebrew applies to the sons of Eber.
Language
These areas were politically Phoenicia and of the Philistines in Canaan when they first arrived in the area (this statement is matter of debate: some archaeologists believe that the Israelites simply arose as a subculture within Canaanite society). The Hebrews lived within this region in the 2nd millennium BCE and spoke a Canaanite dialect, which played a role in the Hebrew languages, the local Canaanite culture. The extent of the distinction between the culture of the Canaanites and the Hebrews is a matter of great debate, touching as it does on strong religious sensibilities. They were also known as the Israelites and Judeans. Hebrew is the main language traditionally used in Jewish holy scriptures and prayer, and since the early 20th century, has undergone a secular revival, to become the primary everyday language of Jews in Palestine and later in the State of Israel.See also
Notes
References
- Jewish Encyclopedia
- Biblical History The Jewish History Resource Center
- David M. Rohl, Pharaohs and Kings, ISBN 0-609-80130-9
- Ancient Judaism, Max Weber, Free Press, 1967, ISBN 0-02-934130-2
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Last updated on Wednesday July 23, 2008 at 13:03:15 PDT (GMT -0700)
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