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Eber

Portrait of Eber

Eber was the son of Salah and, by long tradition, the namesake of "Hebrew" (Ivri) - the term used throughout the Old Testament for Abraham's descendants. He lived 464 years, longer than any of his line after the Flood except Shem, and fathered both Peleg and Joktan.

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Biography

Father
Salah
Era
Primeval / Patriarchal

Family

Parents
โ†“
Eber
Old Testament Genesis Genealogy

Did You Know?

1

Most scholars trace the word 'Hebrew' (Ivri) back to Eber's name, making Abraham - many generations later - literally 'a descendant of Eber.'

2

Eber's other son, Joktan, is said in Genesis 10 to have fathered thirteen sons who settled across Arabia, making Eber an ancestor of far more than the line that leads to Israel.

Key Chapters

Key Passages

The Generations of Eber

Genesis 11:14-17

Eber is widely regarded as the etymological source of the word 'Hebrew,' though the line of promise runs through his son Peleg rather than Joktan.

A14nd Salah lived thirty years, and begat Eber:

15 And Salah lived after he begat Eber four hundred and three years, and begat sons and daughters. 16 And Eber lived four and thirty years, and begat Peleg: 17 And Eber lived after he begat Peleg four hundred and thirty years, and begat sons and daughters.

Read full chapter: Genesis 11 โ†’