What was the original lifestyle of the Hebrews before establishing their communities?

The original lifestyle of the Hebrews before they established permanent communities was indeed nomadic. During this period, they were primarily pastoralists, moving from place to place to find grazing lands for their flocks and herds. This nomadic lifestyle is evident in their historical and cultural narratives, particularly in the stories of patriarchs like Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who are described as wandering shepherds rather than settled farmers or urban dwellers.

Their movement across the landscape was a fundamental characteristic of their early identity, reflecting both the environmental conditions of the region they inhabited and their socio-economic practices. This nomadic existence allowed the Hebrews to adapt to various geographical regions, eventually leading to the establishment of more permanent agricultural societies once they settled in Canaan.

In contrast, the other lifestyles presented, such as agricultural, urban, and trading, describe developments that occurred later as the Hebrews settled and formed communities, shifting from a nomadic mode to more sedentary practices.