noun
Common
Hebrew
HEEB-roo
Hebrew (noun) means a member of the ancient Semitic people descended from the biblical patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Example: “The Hebrews eventually settled in Canaan, according to the Bible.”
noun
1
A member of the ancient Semitic people descended from the biblical patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
"The Hebrews eventually settled in Canaan, according to the Bible."
name
1
The Semitic language of the Hebrew people, and the official language of Israel today.
"She's learning Hebrew ahead of her trip to Israel."
adj
1
Relating to the Hebrew people, language, or culture.
"The museum has an extensive collection of ancient Hebrew manuscripts."
How to use Hebrew
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishRefers to the ancient people, their modern-day language, or things connected to Jewish history and culture.
Common pairings
ancient Hebrew
Hebrew Bible
speak Hebrew
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Word forms
- Plural
- Hebrews
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The _____ eventually settled in Canaan, according to the Bible.
Etymology
Traced through Greek and Aramaic back to the Hebrew word ʿiḇrī, likely meaning "one from the other side" (of the river), referring to the ancestors' migration.
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What does “Hebrew” mean?
The word “Hebrew” means a member of the ancient Semitic people descended from the biblical patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. In plain terms, refers to the ancient people, their modern-day language, or things connected to Jewish history and culture.
How do you pronounce “Hebrew”?
“Hebrew” is pronounced HEEB-roo (/ˈhiːbɹuː/ in IPA).
How do you use “Hebrew” in a sentence?
Here is “Hebrew” used in a sentence: “The Hebrews eventually settled in Canaan, according to the Bible.”
What part of speech is “Hebrew”?
Depending on how it is used, “Hebrew” can be a noun, a name and an adjective.
Where does the word “Hebrew” come from?
The word “Hebrew” comes from Hebrew. Traced through Greek and Aramaic back to the Hebrew word ʿiḇrī, likely meaning "one from the other side" (of the river), referring to the ancestors' migration.
Is “Hebrew” a common word?
“Hebrew” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “Hebrew” have?
“Hebrew” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a member of the ancient Semitic people descended from the biblical patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
What is the difference between Hebrew and Jewish?
Hebrew refers chiefly to the ancient Semitic people and to their language, while Jewish describes the religion, culture, and people of Judaism. The terms are not interchangeable: one is primarily a language and an ancient people, the other a religion and ethnic identity.
What is the difference between Hebrew and Yiddish?
Hebrew is an ancient Semitic language and the official language of Israel, whereas Yiddish is a language historically spoken by Ashkenazi Jews that developed from High German with Hebrew and Slavic influences. They are distinct languages with different origins, though both are written in the Hebrew alphabet.
Is Hebrew written from right to left?
Yes, Hebrew is written and read from right to left, the opposite direction to English. This is one of the notable features of the Hebrew alphabet.
What is the difference between Modern Hebrew and Biblical Hebrew?
Modern Hebrew is the form of the language spoken today as the official language of Israel, adapted for everyday use. Biblical or Classical Hebrew is the older form found in ancient religious texts, and it differs from the modern language in vocabulary and grammar.
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