עִבְרִי (iv.ri)
iv.ri
Hebrew
N:N--PGQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 32 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--PG
Word Overview
The noun ivri identifies a person as Hebrew, functioning primarily as an ethnic marker for the patriarchs and the Israelites. Its root likely connects to ever, meaning "beyond" or "the other side." This suggests the term originally described those who had crossed the Euphrates River to settle in Canaan, distinguishing them from the local inhabitants.
Lexical sources note a key social distinction: while Israel used its own tribal names internally, ivri was frequently applied by foreigners. In Genesis 39, Joseph is called an Hebrew by Potiphar’s wife, and in Exodus, Moses identifies himself to Pharaoh’s officials using this term. It served as a label for immigrants or outsiders rather than a self-designation within the covenant community.
The word appears thirty-two times in Scripture, with significant usage in Genesis and Exodus during the periods of migration and slavery. Translators render it consistently as Hebrew, preserving its identity as a distinct group that moved from being strangers to becoming a nation. The term highlights their status as settlers coming from beyond the river.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The term Hebrew marks a journey from outsider status to chosen people. It likely means one who crosses over, describing those who settled in Canaan from beyond the river. In Genesis, it identifies Abram as a stranger among Amorites. Later, Joseph is called an Hebrew by Potiphar’s wife, highlighting his foreignness in Egypt.
This label shows how God uses distinct identities to fulfill His plans. The midwives knew Hebrew women were vigorous, and Moses saw his brothers as Hebrews before they became a nation. The title reminds us that our background does not limit God’s calling. He works through those who feel like outsiders to bring hope to the world.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 32 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- the/ Hebrews12×
- the/ Hebrew [women]3×
- Hebrew3×
- the/ Hebrew2×
- a Hebrew2×
- <the>/ Hebrew [masc]2×
- <the>/ Hebrew2×
- and/ the/ Hebrews1×
- and/ Hebrews1×
- and/ <the>/ Hebrew [fem]1×
- [are] the/ Hebrews1×
- [am] a Hebrew1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- הָֽ/עִבְרִ֔ים3×
- עִבְרִ֖י2×
- הָֽ/עִבְרִיֹּ֑ת2×
- הָ/עִבְרִ֑ים2×
- עִבְרִים֙1×
- עִבְרִ֣י1×
- עִבְרִ֗י1×
- עִבְרִ֖ים1×
- עִבְרִ֔י1×
- לָ/עִבְרִ֔ים1×
- וְ/עִבְרִ֗ים1×
- וְ/הָ/עִבְרִיָּ֖ה1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 14:13
One who had escaped came and told Abram, the Hebrew. At that time, he lived by the oaks of Mamre, the Amorite, brother of Eshcol and brother of Aner. They were allies of Abram.
This is the first occurrence, identifying Abram as a Hebrew among local allies.
-
Genesis 39:14
she called to the men of her house, and spoke to them, saying, “Behold, he has brought a Hebrew in to us to mock us. He came in to me to lie with me, and I cried with a loud voice.
Potiphar’s wife uses the term to emphasize Joseph’s foreign status when accusing him.
-
Exodus 3:18
They will listen to your voice. You shall come, you and the elders of Israel, to the king of Egypt, and you shall tell him, ‘Yahweh, the God of the Hebrews, has met with us. Now please let us go three days’ journey into the wilderness, that we may sacrifice to Yahweh, our God.’
Moses tells Pharaoh that Yahweh, the God of the Hebrews, has met with them.
-
I Samuel 4:6
When the Philistines heard the noise of the shout, they said, “What does the noise of this great shout in the camp of the Hebrews mean?” They understood that Yahweh’s ark had come into the camp.
The Philistines recognize the shout in the camp of the Hebrews as a sign of God’s presence.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the word Hebrew mean?
Who called Abraham a Hebrew?
Why is it called the God of the Hebrews?
Every Occurrence (32 verses across 6 books)
Genesis 6 verses
One who had escaped came and told Abram, the Hebrew. At that time, he lived by the oaks of Mamre, the Amorite, brother…
Genesis 39:14she called to the men of her house, and spoke to them, saying, “Behold, he has brought a Hebrew in to us to mock us. He…
Genesis 39:17She spoke to him according to these words, saying, “The Hebrew servant, whom you have brought to us, came in to me to…
Genesis 40:15For indeed, I was stolen away out of the land of the Hebrews, and here also I have done nothing that they should put me…
Genesis 41:12There was with us there a young man, a Hebrew, servant to the captain of the guard, and we told him, and he interpreted…
Genesis 43:32They served him by himself, and them by themselves, and the Egyptians who ate with him by themselves, because the…