The title is used by Uigurs, Qarluqs and Azes as "the high-ranking state person, the subordinate to the governor". S.M.Arsal considers this word as a military rank. This title was appropriated to commanders of Bairqu, Kyrgyzs, Tataby, Quns, Sogdas and Uigurs in confederation of Toguz-Oguz (the nine Oguzs), and also Volga bulgars which were subordinate of the Hazaria khanate. There is one Armenian source of second half of VІІ century containing a name “Alp Yltutuer” appropriated to the leader of North Caucasian huns, the vassal of Hazaria khanate. According to P.B.Golden the tradition of appointment the head of a tribe from sorts of governors were practiced among the western Turks and this tradition adhered to Hazars. Therefore, the named person quite could be a Hazar. A.Bombazhi researched using all known historical sources on the given problem. The short conclusion of his work is following: In days of blue Turks “iltebers” were dependent representatives of the authorities, their title was appointed by the kagan; there are no source, that juan-juans used this title; words “chi-li-fa”, “isieh-li-fa” in Chinese sources correspond to “ilteber” by phonetic and historical reasons; “iltebers” of Uigurs, Quns and Kyrgyzs mentioned as “ulug (senior) ilteber”, “ilteber” and “kul (rider) ilteber”, it is not known whether there are distinctions of these three ranks; It is known, that during the second empire of Blue Turks two ambassadors of China were accepted as “iltebers”.
V.Bang connects the etymology and meaning of the word “teber” to Mongolian "tabar-iku" (teber-ku) and in Manchurian “tebelien”, “tebeliemli”, “tebelieku”, and also, in the Kultegin inscription (KB 6) "tablig". J.Marguart explains “teber” as a rank “tabar”. There are researchers who deduce “teber” and “temir” (iron) from one root. P.Pelliot has divided as “teb-er” or “teb-ir”. L.Rasonyi considers “teber” from a root of “tep” (“tebu” - to kick). J.R.Hamilton explains as composite word (“el+teber”), “to have a power on people”.