Introduction
Eber is a figure in the genealogy of Genesis 11, tracing the line from Shem through Arphaxad to Abraham, recorded as the son of Shelah, from whose name some scholars connect the term 'Hebrew'.
Family
In the genealogy
Genesis 11 records Eber's age at the birth of his son and total lifespan, following the same formal pattern used in Genesis 5 for the earlier line from Adam to Noah, though with shorter total lifespans than the pre-flood generations.
Possible connection to 'Hebrew'
Some scholars and later tradition connect Eber's name to the term "Hebrew" (Ivri), understood either as "descendant of Eber" or, alternatively, derived from a root meaning "to cross over", referring to those who crossed the Euphrates; the exact relationship between the name Eber and the later ethnic and linguistic term Hebrew is debated among scholars.