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Definition:
The Hebrews of the Old Testament are commonly identified with the Jews of today - but
who were they, really? Many scholars and historians have tried to figure it out, but no
definitive answer has been found. One possibility is that the biblical word for Hebrew
('ibri) is related to the names Apiru or Habiru, found in
other regional languaes.
These Apiru/Habiru were not a tribe, but rather a "class" of people - those who live on the outskirts of other societies, wandering from place to place, not unlike the gypsies of the 19th and 20th centuries. Thus, it may be that the ancient Hebrews were a group of these wandering Apiru/Habiru who could trace their lineage back to Abraham.
Also Known As: none
Alternate Spellings: none
Common Misspellings: none
Related Resources:
What is Theism?
What is the difference between monotheism and monolatry? Between pantheism and panentheism? How about between animism and shamanism? Or theism and deism? What the heck is henotheism? For that matter, what is and is not a religion?What is Religion?
A system of human beliefs, ideals and practices which is harder to define than it may at first appear.
