Lexical Definition
עֵבֵר ʻÊbêr (ay'-ber) Eber N:N-M-P
the same as עֵבֶר
Eber, Heber.
- § Eber or Heber = "the region beyond"
- Eber, the name of two patriarchs and four Israelites
1) son of Salah, great grandson of Shem, father of Peleg and Joktan
2) a Gadite chief
3) a Benjamite, son of Elpaal and descendant of Sharahaim
4) a Benjamite, son of Shashak
5) a priest in the days of Joiakim the son of Jeshua
See Greek: Ἐβέρ
Extended Information
- A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.10.21
- son of: Shelah (שֶׁלַח)
- father of: Peleg (פֶּלֶג) and Joktan (יׇקְטָן)
- Also named: Eber (Ἐβέρ "Eber" Ἐβέρ)
Brown-Driver-Briggs
II. עֵ֫בֶר proper name, masculine Eber (perhaps eponym of Hebrews, form inferred from עִבְרִי, compare references there); —
1. 'son' of Shelah, and 'grandson' of Arpachshad Gen 10:24 (J) = 1Chr 1:18; Gen 11:14; Gen 11:15 (P); 'father' of Peleg and Joktan Gen 10:25 (J; with especially reference to Joktan vGen 10:26 ff., i.e. to Arabians) = 1Chr 1:19 (compare v1Chr 1:20ff.), of Peleg specifically Gen 11:16; Gen 11:17 (P; with especially reference to Abraham vGen 11:26f.) compare 1Chr 1:25 (see v1Chr 1:27f.); in Gen 10:21 (J) Shem is called אֲבִי כָּלבְּֿנֵיעֵֿבֶר; ᵐ5 Εβερ. — ׳ע Num 24:24 perhaps (si vera lectio) belongs not here ( = עִבְרִים Hebrews, ᵐ5 Ἐβραίους, so Thes), but below I. עֵבֶר = the (land) beyond (the river), || אַשּׁוּר, so Di Kau.
2. a Gadite chief 1Chr 5:13, ᵐ5 Ωβηδ, ᵐ5L Εβερ.
3. Benjamite names:
a. 1Chr 8:12, ᵐ5 Ωβηδ, ᵐ5L Αβερ.
b. 1Chr 8:22 (עֵבֶר van d. H. Ginsb; עֶבֶד Baer), ᵐ5 Ωβδη, A Ωβηδ, ᵐ5L Αβερ.
4. a priest Neh 12:20 ᵐ5L Αβεδ.
Brown-Driver-Briggs References
| Book | Refs |
|---|---|
| Genesis | 10:21 · 10:24 · 10:25 · 10:26 · 11:14 · 11:15 · 11:16 · 11:17 · 11:26 |
| Numbers | 24:24 |
| 1 Chronicles | 1:18 · 1:19 · 1:20 · 1:25 · 1:27 · 5:13 · 8:12 · 8:22 |
| Nehemiah | 12:20 |
Profile
Male • Son of Shelah • Ancestor of Abraham; father of Peleg and Joktan
Man living at the time of the Patriarchs
Eber was an ancestor of Abraham, the father of Peleg and Joktan, and the eponymous ancestor of the Hebrews. (Gen.10.21,24,25; 11.14,15,16,17; Num.24.24; 1Ch.1.18,19,25; Luk.3.35)
- A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.10.21;
- referred to as Eber עֵבֵר, or Eber Ἐβέρ;
- a son of Shelah שֶׁלַח;
- father of Peleg פֶּלֶג and Joktan יׇקְטָן.
Eber is a significant figure in the genealogies of the Bible, mentioned in Genesis, Numbers, 1 Chronicles, and Luke. He is a descendant of Shem, the son of Noah, and an ancestor of Abraham, making him an important link in the lineage of the Israelites.
In the Table of Nations (Genesis 10), Eber is listed as a descendant of Shem, through his great-grandson Arpachshad (Genesis 10:21,24). Eber is also mentioned as the father of Peleg and Joktan (Genesis 10:25). The division of the earth is mentioned in connection with Peleg, which some interpret as a reference to the scattering of people after the Tower of Babel incident.
Eber's lineage is further detailed in Genesis 11:14-17, which records his age at the birth of his son Peleg (34 years), the length of his life after Peleg's birth (430 years), and his total lifespan (464 years). This places Eber in the context of the postdiluvian patriarchs, who lived extraordinarily long lives.
In Numbers 24:24, Eber is mentioned in Balaam's prophetic oracle, where "ships from the coast of Kittim" are said to afflict Asshur and Eber. This suggests that Eber's descendants, the Hebrews, would face opposition from maritime powers.
Eber is also listed in the genealogies of 1 Chronicles 1:18,19,25 and Luke 3:35, confirming his importance in the ancestral line of the Israelites. His name is often associated with the term "Hebrew," which some scholars believe is derived from his name, designating his descendants as "Hebrews."
All entries for Eber: עֵבֵר ☩ Ἐβέρ