# Hebrew

/ˈhibɹu/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/hebrew
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. the language

noun · CEFR B2

the ancient and modern language spoken by Jewish people and the official language of Israel.

For teachers: the Semitic language of the ancient Israelites, now the official language of the State of Israel. Uncountable in this sense.

- She decided to study Hebrew so she could read the ancient texts in their original form.
- Modern Hebrew was successfully revived as a spoken language in the late nineteenth century, bridging a gap of nearly two millennia.

### 2. the people

noun · CEFR B2

a member of the ancient people who lived in Israel and Palestine in Bible times.

For teachers: a member of the Semitic people claiming descent from the biblical patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Often used in historical or biblical contexts.

- The book tells the story of the ancient Hebrews and their journey across the desert.
- Scholars often compare the legal codes of the ancient Hebrews with those of neighbouring Mesopotamian civilisations.

### 3. related to the people or language

adjective · CEFR B2

relating to the Hebrew language, people, or culture.

For teachers: pertaining to the Hebrew language, the Jewish people, or their cultural and religious heritage.

- The museum has a large collection of Hebrew manuscripts from the Middle Ages.
- The professor specialised in Hebrew literature, focusing specifically on the transition from liturgical poetry to secular prose.

### 4. unintelligible speech

noun · CEFR C2 · Informal · Humorous

something that is impossible to understand, like a language you do not know.

For teachers: unintelligible or incomprehensible speech or writing. Used as a metaphor for something completely confusing.

- I tried to read the technical manual, but to me, it was all Hebrew.
- The legal jargon in the contract was absolute Hebrew to the small business owner.

Usage: Usually appears in the phrase 'it is all Hebrew to me'.

Teaching tip: This is a variation of the more common idiom 'it's all Greek to me'; both are used to describe something totally confusing.

## Examples

- She is learning to read Hebrew at the community center.
- The ancient scrolls were written in a form of Hebrew that differs slightly from the modern version spoken today.
- Scholars often distinguish between the Biblical Hebrew found in religious texts and the modernized version revived in the late nineteenth century for daily use in secular society.

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