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Heber

חֶבֶר / עֵבֶר/HEE-ber/

Heber: companion or associate; Eber: one from beyond (the river)

Summary

Heber is the name of several biblical figures, most notably the Kenite whose wife Jael killed Sisera, and also Eber the ancestor of the Hebrews (from whom the name "Hebrew" may derive).

Eber the Patriarch

The most significant Heber (spelled Eber) was the son of Salah and great-grandson of Shem, who lived 464 years and was an ancestor of Abraham. From him the Hebrews may have derived their ethnic name, though this derivation is debated. His name appears in Christ's genealogy in Luke's Gospel.

Key verses:Genesis 10:24Genesis 11:14Luke 3:35

Heber the Kenite

Heber the Kenite had separated from the main body of Kenites (descendants of Moses' father-in-law) and pitched his tent near Kedesh in Naphtali. He had peaceful relations with Jabin king of Hazor. When Sisera fled from Barak's army, he sought refuge in Heber's tent, where Jael, Heber's wife, killed him with a tent peg, fulfilling Deborah's prophecy.

Key verses:Judges 4:11Judges 4:17Judges 4:21Judges 5:24

Other Hebers

Other men named Heber include: a son of Beriah of Asher, from whom came the Heberites; heads of families in Gad and Benjamin; and a descendant of Judah.

Key verses:Genesis 46:17Numbers 26:451 Chronicles 7:31-321 Chronicles 5:131 Chronicles 8:17

Related Verses13 mentions

1 Chronicles· 6 verses

Judges· 4 verses

Genesis· 1 verse

Numbers· 1 verse

References

  1. 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Heber," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IV (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
  2. 2.George Morrish, "Heber," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).
  3. 3.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Heber," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).
  4. 4.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Heber," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).