Where does the term "Hebrew" come from?

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I have done some limited reading (I have never studied Theology) and came across some statements that nobody knows where the term “Hebrew” comes from. There is a lot of debate on the topic, but some far, no conclusive answer has been found.

Apparently, “hebrew” is the Greek word for “ibri”. But nobody knows where this term originated. Some people think it may have come from one of Abraham’s ancestors: Ebert. But if Ebert was important enough to have a people named after him, why isn’t he considered the Patriarch of nations instead of Abraham? Or, if the people were going to be named after an individual, why weren’t they named Abrahamites, since he is considered to be the Patriarch of the Ibri peoples?

Another theory is that it stems from the verb “to cross”. But what does that have to do with it? What is the significance?

Another theory suggests that it simply means Abraham was a citizen of the ancient Sumerian city Nippur, a nibri (they just dropped the “n”). Abram was, indeed, from ancient Sumer.

However, so far as I have read, there is no agreement.

Anybody in these forums know where the term “ibri” comes from?
 
I find it first used in Gen 14:13. When Lot was taken prisoner (along with the inhabitants of Sodom and Gomorah), a servent escaped and went to “Abram the Hebrew”. According to Strongs, this is the Hebrew word Ib-ree’ (not sure what the Greek translation is, unless it’s περάτῃ·, but my Greek isn’t what I would like it to be just yet)., which means “one from beyond”. As Abram was from beyond Canaan (i.e. - Ur of the Chaldees), it seems to be an appropriate term. Not sure who you were looking at, or why this wouldn’t be acceptable to them, but it seems clear to me.
 
that predates mine. I was thinking Gen 39:14 where Potiphar’s wife makes her accusation against Joseph the “Hebrew slave.”

Anyway, this doesn’t necessarily help the origin much but the NAB footnotes mention that “Hebrew” may have been a derogatory term for an immigrant.
 
wikipedia
The modern word “Hebrew” is derived from the word “ivri” (plural “ivrim”) one of several names for the Jewish people. It is traditionally understood to be an adjective based on the name of Abraham’s ancestor, Eber mentioned in Genesis 10:21. This name is possibly based upon the root “`avar” (עבר) meaning “to cross over” and homiletical interpretations of the term “ivrim” link it to this verb.

abarim-publications.com/Meaning/Hebrew.html
Hebrew
Hebrew is a title or nickname rather than a personal name. It was initially given to Abram but later came to denote the Israelites.

The word Hebrew comes from the verb (abar 1556) meaning to pass over, through, take away. The first application of this word is in the name Eber. The second application is in the first occurrence of the word , Hebrew in Gen 14:13, where Abram is called Hebrew. The first case of narrative use of this verb is in the enigmatic cadaver vision of Gen 15:17, “…there appeared a smoking furnace and a flaming torch that passed between these parts.”

Other derivations of the verb :
The noun (eber 1556a) is a very common word that means beyond or across, and is used for all kinds of directions and locations usually in contrast to some other location (1 Sam 26:13, Neh 2:1);
The verb (ebra 1556d) uses the root figuratively and means an overflowing of temper: wrath and rage. Sometimes this ebra stems in man (Amos 1:11 - he maintained his fury forever) and sometimes in God (Ps 78:49 - He sent on them the heat of his anger, fury and indignation and trouble);
The verb (abar 1556e) means to be arrogant or infuriate oneself (Prov 14:16, 20:2).
(abur 1556f) means produce. It is used in Josh 5:11-12 where the Israelites abandon their diet of manna and begin to eat the yield of Canaan.
Identical to the previous word is the preposition (abur 1556g), meaning because of, for. This word is always preceded by the particle (be 193), meaning in or by. TWOTOT explains the relationship with the root as a movement ‘from purpose (or cause) to accomplishment (or result).’
(ma’abar 1556h) passage, such as the passage through the river Jabbok (Gen 32:23) or the passing of a striking staff (Isa 30:32). Similar is the feminine (ma’bara 1556i), passage, wady.

Hebrew means Passed Over or Transitation or One Who Transits.

Another name that is constructed from this root is Abarim, from which this publication derives its name. The first novel produced by Abarim Publications is called Cross On Me.
 
David2010 said:
Apparently, “hebrew” is the Greek word for “ibri”. But nobody knows where this term originated. Some people think it may have come from one of Abraham’s ancestors: Ebert. But if Ebert was important enough to have a people named after him, why isn’t he considered the Patriarch of nations instead of Abraham? Or, if the people were going to be named after an individual, why weren’t they named Abrahamites, since he is considered to be the Patriarch of the Ibri peoples?
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As others have addressed the etymology of the term, I’ll stick to these questions.

If “Hebrew” comes from “Eber” then Abram was a Hebrew before he was a patriarch - before, in fact, he had his encounter with God and obediently left his people to go into the land that God promised to him. This then would mean that when he sent Eleazar back to bring Isaac a wife from his own people, it would mean “a Hebrew wife,” which makes sense. So “Hebrew” would be a broader category than just “Jewish” or “Israelite” (more on them in a minute).

Abrahamites, then, is a more narrow category than Hebrew but broader than Israelite, since it includes the descendants of Ishmael as well as those of Isaac - and we do use that term, theologically, to refer to the adherants of the three monotheistic religions that all trace back to that initial revelation to Abram.

Israelites are the descendants of just one of Isaac’s sons - Jacob, whose name God changed to Israel. The descendants of the other twin, Esau, are called Edomites in the Old Testament. Jacob had 12 sons, from whom the 12 tribes of Israel descended.

And technically speaking, the word “Jew” comes from just one of the sons of Israel, Judah, whose tribe, along with that of Benjamin, became the southern kingdom and survived the Babylonian exile - although obviously the tribe of Levi was also perpetuated as the priestly line was maintained and restored in the return.

Does that help?
 
Abraham was buying the twin caves/Machpelah to bury Sarah and the people said he could have it; calling Abraham a prince among their people. Abraham wisely insisted on buying it nonetheless to distinguish his lineage from theirs. I would like to see some comment on this cave incident; and “Hebrew” as loosely denoting a language group before God’s blessing upon Abraham and Sarah’s seed (and through them, to all people, as it states). On that note, may we “pray for the peace of Jerualem” as Christ counseled as it is God’s holy city of liberation for all nations in His Chosen People.
 
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