other side i heard that hebrew means from the other side other side referring to the other side of the euphrates but i don't understand from which side one must look the mediterranean side or the iranian side if you will can someone help me well in which language the hebrew word for hebrew ivrit does not mean from the other side in hebrew preceding unsigned comment added by the hebrew name for hebrew ivrit is derived from ivrim the hebrew word for israelites meaning simply the language of the israelites neither word means side however both of these words are constructed from the root consonants v and r this means that they may be etymologically related to words such as ever side ma'avar passage avar to pass v i or to go over he'evir to pass v t and others as far as i remember it is traditionally said that the israelites' name ivrim was given to them because they entered the promised land of israel by crossing e i passing over the jordan river thanks for your explanation it is a shame that i can't remember where i've heard it i'll put it in wiktionary