Ἑβραῖος
Hebraîos
G1445 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
An Israelite referred to as belonging to the 'Hebrews,' denoting either ancestral connection to the patriarch Eber (Έβερ), or, more commonly in Hellenistic and New Testament contexts, as a member of the ancestral group distinct from Hellenistic Israelites. Primary lexical meaning: a person identified as a 'Hebrew'—that is, as part of a group associated with the Israelite heritage and language, particularly in distinction from Greek-speaking or Hellenized Israelites. Secondarily, used self-referentially or by others to highlight non-Greek ancestry, language, or customs among Israelites.
Semantic Range
an Israelite associated with the Hebrews; one who speaks Hebrew or Aramaic; one distinguished from Hellenist; a person of Israelite descent contrasted with non-Israelite or Hellenized groups
Root / Etymology
From Ἕβρα (an alternate form of Hebrew עֵבֶר, 'Eber'), with the Greek adjectival ending -αῖος (-aios) indicating relation or belonging. The word corresponds to the Hebrew עִבְרִי (ʿivri), meaning 'Hebrew.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
In Classical Greek, Ἑβραῖος is rare and typically refers to members of the people descended from Eber, a biblical patriarch. In Hellenistic and Roman-era sources, and particularly in the New Testament (e.g., 2 Corinthians 11:22, Philippians 3:5) and Josephus, it commonly denotes Israelites distinguished by descent, language, and practice from the Hellenized population or other groups. This term often emphasizes language or ethnic heritage and can be contrasted with Ἰουδαῖος (Judean), which may focus on geographic, political, or religious identity. English Bible translations traditionally render Ἑβραῖος as "Hebrew" but sometimes conflate this with other identities ('Jew' or 'Israelite'), which can obscure historical distinctions between groups. In the LXX, the term is generally used where the underlying Hebrew reads עִבְרִי (ʿivri), especially in early Israelite narratives. There is overlap in usage, but in the New Testament Ἑβραῖος functions as a marker of traditional Israelite identity contrasted with more assimilated or Hellenized groups.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from Ἐβέρ; a Hebræan (i.e. Hebrew) or Jew:--Hebrew.
Root Family
Ἑβραῖος (Hebraios) — to cross over, to belong to Eber, to belong to the Hebrews
Word Forms
4 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1445-01 |
Ἑβραῖοί | ebraioi | N NOM M PL |
Hebrews | 1 | |
G1445-02 |
Ἑβραίων | ebraion | N GEN M PL |
Hebrews | of the Hebrews | 1 |
G1445-04 |
Ἑβραίους | ebraious | N ACC M PL |
Hebrews | Hebrews | 1 |
G1445-03 |
Ἑβραῖος | ebraios | N NOM M SG |
a Hebrew | a Hebrew | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
4 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1445-04 |
Acts 6:1 | Ἑβραίους | ebraious | N ACC M PL |
Hebrews | Hebrews |
G1445-01 |
2 Corinthians 11:22 | Ἑβραῖοί | ebraioi | N NOM M PL |
Hebrews | |
G1445-03 |
Philippians 3:5 | Ἑβραῖος | ebraios | N NOM M SG |
a Hebrew | a Hebrew |
G1445-02 |
Philippians 3:5 | Ἑβραίων | ebraion | N GEN M PL |
Hebrews | of the Hebrews |