International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

Eber - ē´bẽr

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ē´bẽr (עבר, ‛ebher; Ἔβερ, Éber, in Gen; ̓Ωβήδ, Ōbḗd, in Ch):

(1) Occurs in the genealogies (Gen 10:21, Gen 10:25; Gen 11:14) as the great-grandson of Shem and father of Peleg and Joktan. The word means “the other side,” “across,” and the form “Hebrew,” which is derived from it, is intended to denote the people or tribe who came “from the other, side of the river” (i.e. the Euphrates), from Haran (Gen 11:31), whence Abraham and his dependents migrated to Canaan.

(2) A Gadite (1Ch 5:13).

(3) (4) Two Benjamites (1Ch 8:12, 1Ch 8:22).

(5) The head of a priestly family (Neh 12:20).

Taken from: International Standard Bible Encyclopedia by James Orr, M.A., D.D., General Editor