Ἐβέρ (Eber)
Eber
Eber
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The name Eber appears in the New Testament only once, recorded in Luke’s genealogy of Jesus (Luke 3:35). It is a transliteration of the Hebrew proper noun Eber, identifying him as the son of Shelah and father of Peleg. As an indeclinable noun in Greek, it functions simply as a link in the long chain of ancestors tracing back to Shem and ultimately to Adam.
Etymologically, the name is traditionally associated with the meaning "beyond" or "the other side," likely referring to the region beyond the Euphrates River. This linguistic root connects the personal name to the broader biblical concept of the Hebrews as a people who came from across the river. The sources highlight this connection without elaborating on theological implications, focusing instead on its role in preserving lineage.
Its single occurrence serves a structural purpose within Luke’s narrative, emphasizing Jesus’ human ancestry and his inclusion in the history of Israel. By listing Eber, the text affirms the continuity of God’s covenant promises through generations. The name stands as a historical marker, reminding readers that the Messiah emerged from a specific, documented lineage rather than existing outside of time.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Eber appears in the New Testament only once, found in Luke’s genealogy of Jesus (Luke 3:35). It marks a specific link in the long chain of ancestors tracing back to Shem and ultimately to Adam. As a transliteration of the Hebrew proper noun Eber, it identifies him as the son of Shelah and father of Peleg. This single occurrence serves a structural purpose within Luke’s narrative, emphasizing Jesus’ human ancestry and his inclusion in the history of Israel.
Etymologically, the name is traditionally associated with the meaning "beyond" or "the other side," likely referring to the region beyond the Euphrates River. This linguistic root connects the personal name to the broader biblical concept of the Hebrews as a people who came from across the river. By listing Eber, the text affirms the continuity of God’s covenant promises through generations.
This historical marker reminds readers that the Messiah emerged from a specific, documented lineage rather than existing outside of time. It grounds the Christian faith in real history, showing that God works through ordinary families and names. The inclusion of Eber invites us to trust in the reliability of Scripture’s record and the faithfulness of God across centuries.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- of Heber1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- Ἔβερ1×
Key Verses
-
Luke 3:35
the son of Serug, the son of Reu, the son of Peleg, the son of Eber, the son of Shelah,
This verse places Eber as the son of Shelah and father of Peleg, anchoring Jesus’ human lineage within the patriarchal history of Israel.