Hebrew people - an ethnic term designating the lineage of the Jewish people, the nation of Israel.

Abraham or Abram, was the first person in the Sacred Scripture/Holy Bible to be called a Hebrew. "A survivor came to tell Abram the Hebrew, who was living at the Oak of the Amorite Mamre, the brother of Eshcol and Aner; these were allies of Abram." - Gen. 14:13 -

Thereafter, his descendants through Isaac and Jacob were know as Hebrews. The term is used numerous times in the story of Joseph and in the Sacred Scripture/Holy Bible.

I was kidnapped from the land of the Hebrews in the first place, and even here I have done nothing to warrant imprisonment. - Gen. 40:15 -

After bathing his face Joseph returned and, controlling himself, gave the order: 'Serve the meal.' Joseph was served separately; so were they, and so were the Egyptians who ate in his household, for Egyptians cannot take food with Hebrews: they have a horror at it. - Gen. 43:31-32 -

The origin of the term Hebrew is a mystery. Later use of the words Israelite and Jew add to the confusion. It was believe the word came from a prominent man of the ancient Middle East known as Eber. Eber was a descendant of Noah through Shem and an ancestor of Abraham. Eber, literally meaning 'on the other side of' may allude to Abraham's departure from Ur, a region east of the Euphrates River.

This possibility harmonizes with the statement made by God to the Hebrew people in Joshua's time:

Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel together at Shechem; then he called the elders, leaders, judges and scribes of Israel, and they presented themselves before God. Then Joshua said to all the people:

Yahweh the God of Israel says this, In ancient days your ancestors lived beyond the River - such was Terah the father of Abraham and of Nahor - and they served other gods. Then I brought your father Abraham from beyond the River and led him through all the land of Canaan. I increased his descendants and gave him Isaac.

To Isaac I gave Jacob and Esau. To Esau I gave the mountain country of Seir as his possession. Jacob and his sons went down into Egypt. Then I sent Moses and Aaron and plagued Egypt with the wonders that I worked there. So I brought your ancestors out of Egypt, and you came to the Sea; the Egyptians pursued your ancestors with chariots and horsemen as far as the Sea of Reeds.

There they called to Yahweh, and he spread a thick fog between you and the Egyptians, and made the sea go back on them and cover them. You saw with your own eyes the things I did in Egypt. Then for a long time you lived in the wilderness, until I brought you into the land of the Amorites who lived beyond the Jordan; they made war on you and I gave them into your hands; you took possession of their country because I destroyed them before you. Next, Balak son of Zippor the king of Moab arose to make war on Israel, and sent for Balaam son of Beor to come and curse you. But I would not listen to Balaam; instead, he had to bless you, and I saved you from his hand.

"When you crossed the Jordan and came to Jericho, those who held Jericho fought against you, as did the Amorites and Perizzites, the Canaanites, Hittites, Girgashites, Hivites and Jebusites, but I put them all into your power. I sent out hornets in front of you which drove the two Amorite kings before you; this was not the work of your sword or your bow. I gave you a land where you never toiled, you live in towns you never built; you eat now from vineyards and olive groves you never planted." - Jos. 24:1-13 -

Of Eber's descendants, Abraham, Nahor, and Lot stand out. The genealogist list in Genesis chapter 10 and other passages indicate that Abraham was the ancestor of the Hebrews; Nahor was the ancestor of the Arameans; and Lot was the ancestor of the Moabites and the Ammonites. - Gen. 10:21,24,25; 11:14-27 -

There is considerable evidence in the Old Testament that the Hebrews regarded themselves as a composite race. - Deut. 26:5 - In their wandering tribal days and during their early years in Canaan, the Hebrews experienced a mixture of bloods through marriage with surrounding peoples. When Abraham sought a suitable wife for Isaac, he sent to Padan Aram, near Haran, for Rebekah, daughter of the Syrian Bethuel. Jacob found Rachel in the same location. - Gen. 24:10; 25:20; chapter 28-29 -

Strains of Egyptians blood also appeared in the family of Joseph through Asenath's two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh. - Gen. 41:50-52 - Moses had a Midanite wife, Zipporah and an unnamed Ethiopian (Cushite) wife. - Num. 12:1 -

Although several unanswered questions about the origin of the Hebrews remain, no culture has equaled their contribution to mankind. In a pagan world with many gods, the Hebrews worshiped One Supreme, Holy God who demanded righteousness in His people.

In fact, from the the Hebrews also sprang Jesus Christ, our Great High Priest, our Savior, who gave His life to set us free from the curse of sin. Amen. "All praises and thanksgiving to you, Lord Jesus Christ."

Israel - the name given to Jacob after his great struggle with God.......

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Faith . Hope . Love - Welcome donation. Thank You. God bless. 

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Sunday, May 24, 2009

I have through years of reading, pondering, reflecting and contemplating, the 3 things that last; FAITH . HOPE . LOVE and I would like to made available my sharing from the many thinkers, authors, scholars and theologians whose ideas and thoughts I have borrowed. God be with them always. Amen!

I STILL HAVE MANY THINGS TO SAY TO YOU BUT THEY WOULD BE TOO MUCH FOR YOU NOW. BUT WHEN THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH COMES, HE WILL LEAD YOU TO THE COMPLETE TRUTH, SINCE HE WILL NOT BE SPEAKING AS FROM HIMSELF, BUT WILL SAY ONLY WHAT HE HAS LEARNT; AND HE WILL TELL YOU OF THE THINGS TO COME.

HE WILL GLORIFY ME, SINCE ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. EVERYTHING THE FATHER HAS IS MINE; THAT IS WHY I SAID: ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. - JOHN 16:12-15 -