Hebrews facts for kids
The Hebrews were an ancient group of people who spoke a language called Semitic. Many historians think the Hebrews were the same as the Israelites. The term "Hebrew" was often used for Israelites when they were nomads, before they formed a united kingdom. Sometimes, "Hebrews" could also refer to other ancient groups like the Phoenicians or the Shasu. The word "Hebrew" appears many times in the Hebrew Bible.
Later, during the time of the Roman Empire, the Greek word Hebraios (meaning Hebrew) was used to describe Jews in general. It could also specifically mean Jews who lived in Roman Judaea. In early Christian writings, it sometimes referred to Jewish Christians.
In some languages, like Armenian, Georgian, Italian, Greek, and Russian, the word for "Hebrew" is still the main word used to describe an ethnic Jew.
Since the 1800s, with the revival of the Hebrew language and the growth of the Jewish community in Israel, the term "Hebrews" has sometimes been used for Jewish people in Israel or for Jewish people generally.
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What Does "Hebrew" Mean?
The word Ivri (עברי) in Hebrew is usually translated as "Hebrew" in English. It comes from the ancient Greek word Ἑβραῖος and the Latin word Hebraeus. The plural form of Ivri is Ivrim. The exact origin of the word "Hebrew" is not fully known.
The most common idea is that Ivri means "one from across" or "one who crossed over." This comes from the Hebrew word ever (עֵבֶר), which means "beyond" or "across." It describes people who migrated "from across the river." This idea is supported by an ancient Greek translation of the Bible called the Septuagint. It translates Ivri as perates, meaning "one who came across."
People in the ancient Near East often described groups by saying they were "from across the river." This river was often the Euphrates River or sometimes the Jordan River.
The Hebrew Bible also mentions Eber (עבר), who was an ancestor of Abraham. Some people believe that the word Ibri comes from the name of this patriarch, Eber.
Hebrews and the Habiru
Since the 1800s, ancient writings from the second millennium BCE have been found that mention a group called the Habiru. Many theories connect the Habiru to the Hebrews. Some experts think that "Hebrew" is related to the name of these semi-nomadic Habiru people. These people were mentioned in ancient Egyptian writings from the 13th and 12th centuries BCE.
Other experts disagree. They suggest that the Hebrews are mentioned in later Egyptian texts as the Shasu of Yhw. Some scholars think both ideas could be true. They believe Ḫabiru was a general term for foreign people "from across the river." Another idea is that Habiru referred to a social class of people found in many ancient societies, and Hebrews might have been part of this group.
Hebrews and Israelites
In the Hebrew Bible, the term "Hebrew" is often used by foreigners, like the Egyptians, when they talk about Israelites. Israelites also sometimes used the term when speaking about themselves to foreigners.
According to the Jewish Encyclopedia, the terms "Hebrews" and "Israelites" usually describe the same people. It suggests they were called Hebrews before they conquered the Land of Canaan and Israelites afterward.
Some scholars, like Professor Nadav Na'aman, say that "Hebrew" was rarely used as a synonym for "Israelite." They believe it was only used when Israelites were in difficult situations, like being migrants or slaves. Professor Albert D. Friedberg also suggests that "Hebrews" referred to Israelites who were struggling financially or socially.
For example, in the Book of Genesis, Abraham is called Avram Ha-Ivri, which means "Abram the Hebrew." This might refer to Abraham's family line from Eber. It could also refer to Abraham's main language or his status as a migrant "from the other side of the river."
Some religious scholars believe that "Hebrew" was a nickname for all migrants who came to Canaan from across the Euphrates or Jordan River. This was from the point of view of the people who had lived in Canaan for a long time.
Hebrews and Jews
By the Roman period, the term "Hebrews" could be used to describe the Jews, especially those who spoke the Hebrew language. The Epistle to the Hebrews, a book in the New Testament, was likely written for Jewish Christians.
In some modern languages, including Armenian, Greek, Italian, Romanian, and many Slavic languages, the name "Hebrews" (with slight language differences) is the usual word for Jews. However, in many other languages where both terms exist, it is now considered rude to call Jews "Hebrews."
Among some modern Jewish groups, the word "Hebrew" is used as a non-religious way to describe the Jewish people. For example, some people might talk about a "Hebrew republic" or a "Hebrew-Arab" state. It is also used by some people of Jewish heritage who practice other religions or no religion at all.
Hebrews in Zionism
Starting in the late 1800s, the term "Hebrew" became popular among Zionists who were not religious. In this context, the word suggested a change for Jewish people. It meant they would become a strong, independent, and confident national group, often called "the New Jew." This idea was central to early Zionism. However, this use of "Hebrew" became less common after the state of Israel was formed. It was replaced by "Jew" or "Israeli."
David Ben-Gurion, who was the first Prime Minister of Israel, believed that the Hebrews were the original people living in Canaan. He thought they joined Abraham's religion after he settled there. He also believed that not all Hebrews joined Jacob's family when they went to Egypt. He thought some stayed behind and later became the generation of Hebrews who experienced the Exodus.
Images for kids
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Ramesses III prisoner tiles showing Canaanite and Shasu leaders as captives. Many archaeologists believe the Hebrews were local Canaanite refugees and possibly some Shasu who settled in the hill country.
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An old painting of the Ancient Hebrews from the Dura-Europos synagogue.
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A poster from the 1940s encouraging people to Sail on Hebrew ships!
See also
In Spanish: Hebreos para niños
