Hebrews: Former Name of the Jews
The name given to Abraham and his descendants, who later were more commonly called Israelites or Jews (Gen 14:13, 39:17).
God's Chosen People
God chose Abraham's descendants as His own people, calling them to love and obey Him and to be a light to the nations. Through the Abrahamic
Covenant (Gen 12:1-3), God established a unique bond with the Hebrews, setting them apart from all other nations. Given the Law through
Moses, they were shaped into a holy nation reflecting God's righteousness and justice (Exod 19:5-6). Despite frequent failures and idolatry,
God remained faithful to His promises, and Jesus Christ came through this lineage to bless all nations, fulfilling God's original purpose
(Gal 3:14-16).
Religious Foundation and Covenant
Their religion centered on the Torah (Genesis to Deuteronomy), with Tabernacle and Temple worship featuring sacrificial atonement. Three
major covenants defined their relationship with God: the Abrahamic Covenant promising land, descendants, and blessing (Gen 12, 15, 17); the
Mosaic Covenant providing the legal framework (Exod 19-24); and the Davidic Covenant promising an eternal kingdom through David's line (2
Sam 7), fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Distinctive practices like circumcision, dietary laws, Sabbath, and feasts maintained their identity,
while prophets called them to faithfulness and promised restoration.
New Testament Context and Transition
The New Testament book of Hebrews addressed Jewish Christians, emphasizing Christ's superiority over the Old Testament system (Heb 1:1-4).
The term "Hebrew" distinguished those maintaining traditional Jewish practices from Greek-speaking Jews, with Paul identifying as a "Hebrew of
Hebrews" (Phil 3:5). The Jerusalem Council affirmed that salvation comes through grace alone, not Law observance (Acts 15). The book of
Hebrews helped Jewish Christians understand that faith in Christ represented the fulfillment, not abandonment, of their Hebrew heritage.
Historical Development and Identity
The term "Hebrew," possibly deriving from Eber (Gen 10:21, 11:14), distinguished Abraham's descendants from surrounding peoples. After conquering Canaan under Joshua, they became the nation of Israel (Jacob's renamed descendants). The united monarchy under Saul, David, and Solomon represented their political and religious height. Following the kingdom's division, the northern tribes retained "Israel" while the southern kingdom became "Judah," from which "Jew" derived. The Babylonian exile and later the 70 AD Temple destruction transformed Jewish life, leading to the rabbinic tradition.
Reflection and Application:
- Christ fulfills all God's covenant promises and brings blessings to all nations.
- Our spiritual heritage should be valued but never placed above Christ.
- God remains faithful to His covenant promises despite our unfaithfulness.
- The Old Testament provides essential foundation for understanding God's redemptive plan.
See also: Hebrews (Heb), Jews.