CONTENTS
WHO ARE THE HEBREWS OF TODAY?
If you ask who are the Hebrews of today, it is most likely that those who study the Bible will tell you that the term describes all the descendants of Abraham. This is because Abraham was the first to be called a Hebrew.
Genesis 14:13
And there came one that had escaped, and told Abram the Hebrew; for he dwelt in the plain of Mamre the Amorite, brother of Eshcol, and brother of Aner: and these were confederate with Abram.
Since it is a family name (coming from Eber), it is assumed that it passed onto all Abraham’s descendants. but is this so? That is what we will look at today. We will show who the Hebrews are, and it is not who people think!
THE ORIGIN OF THE NAME HEBREW
And one can understand why they would think it is all descendants of Abraham when one comes to the understanding of where the name Hebrew came from.
H5680
Hebrew: עברי
Transliteration: ‛ibrîy
Pronunciation: ib-ree’
Definition: Patronymic from H5677; an Eberite (that {is} Hebrew) or descendant of Eber: – Hebrew ({-ess} woman).
KJV Usage: Hebrew (29x), Hebrew woman (2x), Hebrew (with H376) (1x), Hebrewess (1x), Hebrew man (1x).
Ibriy (Hebrew) is spelled ayin, beth, resh, yod: עברי. It is from the name of Abraham’s forefather, Eber.
H5677
Hebrew: עבר
Transliteration: ‛êber
Pronunciation: ay’-ber
Definition: The same as H5676; {Eber} the name of two patriarchs and four Israelites: – {Eber} Heber.
KJV Usage: Eber (13x), Heber (2x).
Eber is spelled ayin, beth, resh: עבר.
Hence, the only difference between Hebrew and Eber, is that a yod has been added to Eber (עבר) to make it Hebrew (עברי).
Hence the natural inclination is to think that since Abraham got the title Hebrew, it is only logical that all his descendants are also called Hebrews.
However, the ways of the Most High are not our ways as he reminded us here:
Isaiah 55:8-9
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith YAHUAH. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
Indeed, we shall see that in the case of who are the Hebrews of today, our way of thinking is not the way of the Most High and will, therefore, lead us into error.
ONLY ONE OTHER PEOPLE CALLED HEBREW IN THE BIBLE
I had a conversation with a viewer who posted comments on one of our YouTube videos entitled “Who Are The Edomites Today?”
As a result of my response to the question who are the Hebrews of today? he condemned me as one teaching his own doctrine. This is because he believes (like many others), that all of Abraham’s descendants are Hebrews.
So his contention was that Esau’s descendants are Hebrews, so are the descendants of Ishmael.
Of course, I asked him to show me this from scripture and he could not. That is because there is nowhere in scripture that any other people apart from the children of Israel are called Hebrews. None other people.
As a result, in this article, we will show this claim of all Abraham’s descendants being Hebrews to be a fallacy.
In fact, we will show what most people do not know, which is that Hebrew is a term for the chosen seed from the lineage of Abraham (through Isaac and Jacob).
PROOF: ISRAELITES THE ONLY DESCENDANTS OF ABRAHAM CALLED HEBREWS IN SCRIPTURE
So we see the following instances of Israelites ONLY being called Hebrew. Here Joseph is called Hebrew.
Genesis 41:12
And there was there with us a young man, an Hebrew, servant to the captain of the guard; and we told him, and he interpreted to us our dreams; to each man according to his dream he did interpret.
Here the Israelite midwives in Egyptian captivity are called Hebrews:
Exodus 1:16
And he said, When ye do the office of a midwife to the Hebrew women, and see them upon the stools; if it be a son, then ye shall kill him: but if it be a daughter, then she shall live.
Here Jonah describes himself as an Hebrew:
Jonah 1:9
And he said unto them, I am an Hebrew; and I fear YAHUAH, the Aluah of heaven, which hath made the sea and the dry land.
So why is it that only one nation is referred to as Hebrew in scripture?
Is it an accidental omittance?
ETYMOLOGY OF THE NAME HEBREW
The word “Hebrew” in the Hebrew language is עברי (Ivry or Ibry or Abry). The root letters mean one from the other side, cross over, or pass through.
For Abraham, it not only signifies moving from Ur of the Chaldees over to Canaan, but also crossing over from idolatry into the worship of YAHUAH…
Jubilees 11:2-3,15
And the sons of Noah began to war on each other, to take captive and to slay each other, and to shed the blood of men on the earth, and to eat blood, and to build strong cities, and walls, and towers, and individuals (began) to exalt themselves above the nation, and to found the beginnings of kingdoms, and to go to war people against people, and nation against nation, and city against city, and all (began) to do evil, and to acquire arms, and to teach their sons war, and they began to capture cities, and to sell male and female slaves.[3]And ‘Ûr, the son of Kesed, built the city of ‘Ara of the Chaldees, and called its name after his own name and the name of his father. And they made for themselves molten images, and they worshipped each the idol, the molten image which they had made for themselves, and they began to make graven images and unclean simulacra, and malignant spirits assisted and seduced (them) into committing transgression and uncleanness.
[15]And the child (ABRAHAM) began to understand the errors of the earth that all went astray after graven images and after uncleanness, and his father taught him writing, and he was two weeks of years old, [1890 A.M.] and he separated himself from his father, that he might not worship idols with him.
WHO IS EBER?
Now who is Eber and where did he come into the picture?
Eber was 4 generations above Abraham and stayed among his forefather Shem, and taught the ways of YAHUAH.
Abraham learned the ways of YAHUAH through Shem and Noach. However, after Noah’s death, it was Eber who along with Shem, taught the ways of YAHUAH to Abraham’s righteous seed.
Jasher 24:17
And when the days of their mourning (for Sarah) passed by Abraham sent away his son Isaac, and he went to the house of Shem and Eber, to learn the ways of YAHUAH and his instructions, and Abraham remained there three years.
And after Isaac his seeds, Jacob and Esau.
JACOB THE RIGHTEOUS SEED, ESAU THE UNRIGHTEOUS
Now we are going to see the difference between Jacob and Esau where it comes to righteousness. We are going to see why Esau was not of the righteous seed and therefore not counted to be Hebrew.
Jasher 28:18-23
At that time Isaac sent his younger son Jacob to the house of Shem and Eber, and he learned the instructions of YAHUAH, and Jacob remained in the house of Shem and Eber for thirty-two years, and Esau his brother did not go, for he was not willing to go, and he remained in his father’s house in the land of Canaan.
So Esau was not willing to go to learn the ways of YAHUAH from Eber and Shem. He was not interested…but why?
Jasher 28:19-21 And Esau was continually hunting in the fields to bring home what he could get, so did Esau all the days.
And Esau was a designing and deceitful man, one who hunted after the hearts of men and inveigled them, and Esau was a valiant man in the field, and in the course of time went as usual to hunt; and he came as far as the field of Seir, the same is Edom.
And he remained in the land of Seir hunting in the field a year and four months.
ESAU CHOSE HIS BELLY
Who are the Hebrews of today? Esau had no interest in serving YAHUAH. Indeed, he served his belly, constantly seeking what he could gather.
Sadly, this has been a trademark of Esau. He is never satisfied, which is why in the end, he shall be cut off.
Obadiah 1:5-6
If thieves came to thee, if robbers by night, (how art thou cut off!) would they not have stolen till they had enough? if the grapegatherers came to thee, would they not leave some grapes? How are the things of Esau searched out! how are his hidden things sought up!
ISHMAEL AND ESAU REJECTED: IN ISAAC SHALL THY SEED BE CALLED
Now, why are not all of Abraham’s descendants called Hebrews? Why aren’t Ishmael and Esau Hebrews?
Simply because they were not of the chosen seed. Hebrew is a title reserved for the holy seed of the lineage of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob only. Here it is stated plainly in the book of Jubilees.
Jubilees 15:30-32
For Ishmael and his sons and his brothers and Esau, YAHUAH did not cause to approach Him, and he chose them not because they are the children of Abraham, because He knew them, but He chose Israel to be His people.And He sanctified it, and gathered it from amongst all the children of men; for there are many nations and many peoples, and all are His, and over all hath He placed spirits in authority to lead them astray from Him.
But over Israel He did not appoint any angel or spirit, for He alone is their ruler, and He will preserve them and require them at the hand of His angels and His spirits, and at the hand of all His powers in order that He may preserve them and bless them, and that they may be His and He may be theirs from henceforth for ever.
Genesis 21:12
And Aluah said unto Abraham, Let it not be grievous in thy sight because of the lad, and because of thy bondwoman; in all that Sarah hath said unto thee, hearken unto her voice; for in Isaac shall thy seed (Hebrews) be called.Romans 9:7-8
Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of YAHUAH: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed (Hebrews).
So the righteous seed came through Isaac, which excludes Ishmael. Now it continues through only one of Isaac’s son and excludes the other:
Romans 9:10-13
And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac;(For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of YAHUAH according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;)
It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.
JACOB THE CHOSEN SEED OF ISAAC’S LINEAGE
More insights into who are the Hebrews of today? The Most High loved Jacob but hated Esau. That is why only Jacob’s seed is given the honorary title of Hebrews.
Now here is more:
Jubilees 16:16-18
And we returned in the seventh month, and found Sarah with child before us and we blessed him, and we announced to him all the things which had been decreed concerning him, that he should not die till he should beget six sons more, and should see (them) before he died; but (that) in Isaac should his name and seed be called:And (that) all the seed of his sons should be Gentiles, and be reckoned with the Gentiles; but from the sons of Isaac one should become a holy seed, and should not be reckoned among the Gentiles.
For he should become the portion of the Most High (Deut 32:9), and all his seed had fallen into the possession of Aluahym, that it should be unto YAHUAH a people for (His) possession above all nations (Deut 32:8-9) and that it should become a kingdom and priests and a holy nation (Exo 19:6, 1 Peter 2:9).
SHEM AND EBER, TWO GREAT TEACHERS
Who are the Hebrews of today? When the children were struggling in Rebecca’s womb, the Bible tells us this…
Genesis 25:22
And the children struggled together within her; and she said, If it be so, why am I thus? And she went to enquire of YAHUAH.
But the Bible did not tell us where she went to enquire of YAHUAH. The book of Jasher tells us though. It says she went to Shem and Eber:
Jasher 26:10-12
And she said unto them, Why am I alone in this amongst all the women that were upon earth? and she went to the land of Moriah to seek YAHUAH on account of this; and she went to Shem and Eber his son to make inquiries of them in this matter, and that they should seek YAHUAH in this thing respecting her.And she also asked Abraham to seek and inquire of YAHUAH about all that had befallen her.
And they all inquired of YAHUAH concerning this matter, and they brought her word from YAHUAH and told her, Two children are in thy womb, and two nations shall rise from them; and one nation shall be stronger than the other, and the greater shall serve the younger.
JACOB AGAIN GOES TO SHEM AND EBER
After receiving the blessings from Isaac, Jacob fled from Esau back to Eber and Shem. There he stayed another 14 years.
Jasher 29:11
And Jacob was very much afraid of his brother Esau, and he rose up and fled to the house of Eber the son of Shem, and he concealed himself there on account of his brother, and Jacob was sixty-three years old when he went forth from the land of Canaan from Hebron, and Jacob was concealed in Eber’s house fourteen years on account of his brother Esau, and he there continued to learn the ways of YAHUAH and his commandments.
See that? Eber was the teacher of the way of YAHUAH. So this is why Jacob is Hebrew and not Esau or Ishmael or any other of Abraham’s seed (apart from Isaac of course).
WHO ARE THE HEBREWS IN EXODUS?
Now let us cement the answer to the question who are Hebrews? by showing a few of YAHUAH’S declarations as to who HE is to Israel and to the Hebrews in the book of Exodus.
We will match these declarations and show that Hebrews and Israelites are one and the same people. At the same time, we shall see that no other people are Hebrews today.
YAHUAH YOUR ALUAHYM
If you search the Bible for the exact term YAHUAH your Aluahym (literally “the Lord your God” in the KJV), you will see it about 147 times. That is how many times YAHUAH told Israel that he belonged to them.
Exodus 6:7
And I will take you to me for a people, and I will be to you an Aluah: and ye shall know that I am YAHUAH your Aluahym, which bringeth you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians.
WHO ARE THE HEBREWS OF TODAY?
THE ALUAHYM OF ISRAEL AND NONE ELSE
What’s more, he even declared himself to be exclusive to Israel and none other people!
Joel 2:27
And ye shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am YAHUAH your Aluahym, and none else: and my people (Exo 6:7) shall never be ashamed.
None else! He is the Aluahym of Israel only.
So when we see the following verses, we know that the term Hebrews is not only synonymous with Israelites, but also EXCLUSIVE to Israelites. None other people are Hebrews today:
Exodus 9:1
Then YAHUAH said unto Moses, Go in unto Pharaoh, and tell him, Thus saith YAHUAH Aluahym of the Hebrews, Let my people (Exo 6:7) go, that they may serve me.
So when you match it with this:
Joel 2:27
And ye shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am YAHUAH your Aluahym, and none else: and my people (Exo 6:7) shall never be ashamed.
You should be able to clearly see that Hebrews is now an exclusive term for the descendants of Jacob.
THE HEBREWS ARE “MY PEOPLE”
Throughout the Bible, the Most High mentioned only one nation as being his people.
Exodus 3:10
Come now therefore, and I will send thee unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest bring forth my people the children of Israel out of Egypt.
But we see that term being used for both the children of Israel and Hebrews in the same situation!
We know that the book of Exodus is about the deliverance of the children of Israel from Egypt. So when we see the following, we know that the title Hebrews is synonymous with and exclusive to, the children of Israel…
Exodus 9:13
And YAHUAH said unto Moses, Rise up early in the morning, and stand before Pharaoh, and say unto him, Thus saith YAHUAH Aluahym of the Hebrews (see Joel 2:27), Let my people go, that they may serve me.
HEBREWS NOW SCATTERED IN CAPTIVITY UNDER THE CURSES OF THE LAW
Guess what? According to the blessings and the curses of the law, the Hebrews are now scattered throughout the world now in captivity in a land that is not theirs (Deut 28:36), worshiping in religions with gods their fathers never knew (Deut 28:64).
Indeed, most do not know who they are (Isa 1:2-3), nor knowing their heritage (Jer 17:4), until the Most High turns back their captivity and bring them back into their own land (Zeph 3:20).
They are not in their own land knowing who they are, as a certain country claims today.
EDOM HAD THEIR OWN GODS
So let us again look at the fact that even though only the children of Israel are recorded in scripture as Hebrews, people still say that Esau is Hebrew.
However, remember he described himself as the Aluahym of the Hebrews?
Exodus 9:1
Then YAHUAH said unto Moses, Go in unto Pharaoh, and tell him, Thus saith YAHUAH Aluahym of the Hebrews, Let my people (Exo 6:7) go, that they may serve me.
Esau (Edom) is excluded here because YAHUAH is not their Aluahym! They have their own gods (plural)…
2 Chronicles 25:20
But Amaziah would not hear; for it came of Aluah, that he might deliver them into the hand of their enemies, because they sought after the gods of Edom.
CONCLUSION: WHO ARE THE HEBREWS OF TODAY?
So there you have it. Not all descendants of Abraham are Hebrews as it is an exclusive title reserved for the righteous seed (of Araham, Isaac and Jacob), now the children of Israel.
It has far-reaching implications as it shows also that one cannot become Hebrew. Why? Hebrew describes a righteous physical lineage, a family…the one family that YAHUAH claims to have known in all the earth (Amos 3:2).
So the title Hebrew is similar to this:
Romans 9:6,27
Not as though the word of YAHUAH hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel:[27]Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved:
The similarity with the question of who are the Hebrews of today is that not all descendants of Abraham are Hebrew. As the verse below illustrates as well, it is a righteous remnant who are elect.
Galatians 6:15-16
For in Messiah Yahusha neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of YAHUAH.
These verses tell the story of a chosen, righteous remnant. It is the same principle on which the name Hebrew is based.
Hence Hebrew is a righteous lineage of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, which is why he always referred to his covenants with all three:
Exodus 2:24
And Aluahym heard their groaning, and Aluahym remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob.
Got it?
You may also want to take a look at this video, which shows surprising proof of who the sons of Esau (Edomites) are today.
Related: How do i know if I am an Israelite?
Thank you so much for explaining this. Can you please explain what 2 Esdras 2:18 means? We Edomites weren’t given the wisdom of the Israelites, so perhaps you can help me to understand the meaning. “For thy help will I send my servants Esau and Jeremy, after whose counsel I have sanctified and prepared for thee twelve trees laden with divers fruits” To me, it looks like Esau is called a servant whose counsel is sanctified, but I already know that Esau (and thus we Edomites) are cursed because he rejected Yahuah’s blessing for a bowl of spaghettios (I know it wasn’t actual spaghettios… I say that because it’s trivial what he did… and then he rejected being taught Yahuah’s ways in favor of satisfying his own selfish wants. So I KNOW Esau isn’t sanctified in any way, but that verse confused me.
Shalam Lorelei. The word Esau there is a translation error in the KJVA. If you look at other translations, you see it was referring to YashaYahu (Isaiah):
2 Esdras 2:18 (RSVA) I will send you help, my servants Isaiah and Jeremiah. According to their counsel I have consecrated and prepared for you twelve trees loaded with various fruits,
2 Esdras 2:18 (CEB) I will send my servants Jeremiah, Isaiah, and Daniel to help you. It was on their advice that I have made you holy. I will prepare twelve trees with various kinds of fruit for you,
2 Esdras 2:18 (Biblia.com) I will send you help, my servants Isaiah and Jeremiah. According to their counsel I have consecrated and prepared for you twelve trees loaded with various fruits,
To my Elder Chazaq EliYahu Yasharal
Thank you so much for this very clear explanation of “Who are the Hebrews” which I have just found today and forwarded to my dearest Uncle Gilbert and his family for his spiritual growth. I pray this signposting is the seed that germinates and enlightens many as I continue to search for truth. May the Aluahym of Our fathers continue to bless Us.
Thanks Hazel. All praises to the Most High. Blindness in part has happened to Yasharal, until the fulness of the Gentiles come in. The dry bones of the whole house of Yasharal are awakening as the time of the Gentiles is almost at an end. Yadah YAHUAH!