Was Abraham the first Jew?
Study Hebrew and discover Biblical secrets
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The Bible’s first Israelite
The first twelve chapters of the Bible tell the foundational stories of God’s creation of the universe, the Garden of Eden, Noah’s flood and the Tower of Babel. These are universal stories, applicable to all peoples. All this changes dramatically in Genesis chapter 12 with the introduction of a specifically Israelite individual: Abraham. He is the first person to have a personal relationship with God and to willingly move his life to the Land of Canaan.
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The real meaning of Hebrew
Abraham is truly the founder of the people of Israel. Interestingly, the Bible doesn’t refer to him as an “Israelite” or “Jew”. These terms only existed after the time of Abraham. Instead a much earlier name is used: “Abram the Hebrew” (Gen. 14:13). In the original text of the Bible, the word for Hebrew is ivri עִבְרִי, from the root ἉBR’ meaning “to cross over”. Why would the Bible apply such an odd name to such a distinguished protagonist?
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Cross over the breach today
Abraham was truly a “crosser-over”. At one level, Abraham “crossed over” the mighty Euphrates River and started his life anew in the Land of Israel. At a deeper level, he “crossed over” from his idol-worshipping past, to become the world’s first believer in one God. We invite you to join us in “crossing over” the river of Scriptural confusion, by going back to the source – the original Hebrew. Enroll in our live online biblical Hebrew course and start your own biblical Hebrew journey today.
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