# Hebrews

/ˈhibɹuz/ (US) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/hebrews
Updated: 2026-05-07

## Definition

an ancient group of people from the Middle East who are the ancestors of the Jewish people.

For teachers: members of an ancient Semitic people claiming descent from Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. When capitalised, it refers to the ethnic and religious group described in the Old Testament.

## Examples

- The ancient Hebrews lived in the land of Israel.
- Scholars study the migration patterns of the ancient Hebrews to understand the early history of the Levant.
- The cultural and religious traditions established by the Hebrews formed the foundational tenets of Judaism, significantly influencing the subsequent development of Western ethical and legal systems.

## Usage notes

- Usually capitalised; functions as a plural noun referring to the collective group of people.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.