The term “Jew” comes from the word “Judah” and in Hebrew is actually the same word. Only in English does there seem to be a distinction. The term “Hebrew” originated with Eber (great-grandson of Shem, who was the son of Noah), and through most of biblical history the term was used only when Jews identified themselves to Gentiles, as did Jonah (1:9), for example. By New Testament times, the terms “Hebrew,” “Israelite,” and “Jew” had become synonymous.