Interesting Facts

• Eber was the son of Salah [3, Genesis 11:14, Jasher 7:19c, Jubilees 8:7a].
• According to Jubilees, Eber was born in the fifth year of a certain week [Jubilees 8:7a], specifically in the year 1503 A.M. [Jubilees 8:7a].

Genealogy

• Eber was the son of Salah [3, Genesis 11:14, Jasher 7:19c, Jubilees 8:7a].
• Salah was the son of Arphaxad.
• Arphaxad was born two years after the flood.
• Arphaxad married Rasu’eja in 1373 A.M. and Kainam was born in 1375 A.M. according to Jubilees.
• Arphaxad later married Melka in 1429 A.M. and Salah was born in 1432 A.M. according to Jubilees.
• The lineage continues from Eber, though the sources do not explicitly detail his offspring in these excerpts until Abraham is mentioned later as a descendant.

Historical Context

Eber lived in the generations following the flood [4, Jubilees 8:7a]. Jubilees places his birth in the year 1503 A.M. [Jubilees 8:7a]. The sources indicate that this period saw the repopulation of the earth and the beginnings of distinct groups and nations. For instance, Nimrod’s war against the children of Japheth occurred around this time, when Nimrod was forty years old [Jasher 7:34]. The narrative later focuses on Abraham, a descendant of Eber, during a time when idolatry was prevalent and the tower of Babel incident had likely already occurred, leading to the dispersion of peoples [This is implied but not explicitly stated in these excerpts regarding Eber’s lifetime]. The term “Hebrew” emerges later in the narrative, associated with Abraham, suggesting that the identity of the Hebrews as a distinct group solidified through his lineage and actions, well after Eber’s time.

Narrative

The personal narrative of Eber within these selected sources is quite limited. His birth is recorded [Jubilees 8:7a], placing him within a specific genealogical timeframe. However, the sources do not detail his individual actions, dialogues, or specific contributions. His significance in the broader narrative presented in the sources lies primarily in his position as a key ancestor in the lineage that eventually leads to Abraham. It is through Abraham that the term “Hebrew” becomes significant, with Abraham himself being referred to as “Abraham the Hebrew” and Jacob identifying their lineage as “Abraham the Hebrew, the prince of God”. Therefore, while Eber is a foundational figure genealogically, the narrative focus shifts to his descendants, particularly Abraham, in relation to the emergence and understanding of the “Hebrews” as a distinct people known for their relationship with God and their separation from the idolatrous practices of other nations.