Subject: Re: Now That's a BAD Jobs Report
Where does Egypt show up in this inquiry? It doesn't seem to. The Levant, Mesapotamia, and Canaan figure in, but not Egypt as far as I can see.

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The Hebrews – Western Civilization
The historical roots of the Hebrew people are traced through their ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, as described in the Hebrew Bible, though archaeological evidence suggests they may have originated in the Levant rather than Mesopotamia. The term "Hebrew" likely refers to migrants from the "other side" of the Euphrates or Jordan River. The Hebrew people developed into the ancient Israelites, who are the ancestors of modern Jews, established a kingdom in Canaan, and left behind a rich history recorded in the Tanakh (Hebrew Bible).

Biblical Origins

Patriarchs: According to the Hebrew Bible, the Hebrews trace their lineage to the patriarch Abraham, his son Isaac, and his grandson Jacob (also called Israel).

Eber: The term "Hebrew" itself is derived from Eber, an ancestor of Abraham.
Covenant: Abraham made a covenant with God to become the father of a great nation, and in return, his descendants were promised a land and prosperity.

Possible Mesopotamian Origins

The Hebrew Bible states that Abraham left Mesopotamia around 1900 BCE to become a wandering herdsman.

The word "Hebrew" itself may be a reference to "crossing over", and the term "Hebrew" could refer to migrants who came from "across the river," meaning the Euphrates or Jordan.

Archaeological and Alternative Theories

While the Bible suggests a Mesopotamian origin, archaeological evidence indicates that the early Hebrews may have actually emerged from within the Levant.

The early Hebrews were likely semi-nomadic herders and farmers who lived in small, hilltop villages.

Development into Israelites and Jews

The Hebrews eventually became known as the Israelites after settling in the land of Canaan.

After the Babylonian Exile, they became known as Jews.
Genetic studies show that Jews worldwide share a common Middle Eastern origin and a common gene pool dating back millennia.

Hebrews - Wikipedia
The most generally accepted hypothesis today is that the text intends ivri as the adjective (Hebrew suffix -i) formed from ever (עֵ...
Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Hebrew | People, Religion, & Location - Britannica
Hebrew, any member of an ancient northern Semitic people that were the ancestors of the Jews. Biblical scholars use the term Hebre...
Britannica
4.6: Ancient Hebrew History - Humanities LibreTexts
Aug 26, 2022 — According to the Hebrew Bible, the first patriarch (male clan leader) of the Hebrews was Abraham, a man who led the He...
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