שְׁאָר יָשׁוּב
Shear-Jashub, the symbolic name of one of Isaiah's sons
Definition
Shear-Jashub is the symbolic name given by God to one of the prophet Isaiah's sons, as recorded in Isaiah 7:3. The name means 'a remnant will return' and serves as a living prophecy and sign to King Ahaz of Judah during a time of political crisis. It carries a dual message of judgment and hope: judgment in that only a remnant of the people will survive the coming Assyrian invasion, but hope in that this remnant will return to God and be preserved. This concept of a faithful remnant becomes a central theme in Isaiah's later prophecies (e.g., Isaiah 10:20-22).
Biblical Usage
This proper name is used only once in the Old Testament, in Isaiah 7:3. Its usage is entirely prophetic and symbolic. Isaiah is instructed to take his son Shear-Jashub with him when he delivers God's message to King Ahaz, making the child a walking sign of the prophecy. The name itself encapsulates the core message Isaiah was to deliver concerning the fate of Judah.
Etymology
The name is a compound of two Hebrew words: 'שְׁאָר' (shᵉʼâr, H7605), meaning 'remnant, remainder, or what is left,' and 'יָשׁוּב' (yâshûb), from the root 'שׁוּב' (shûb, H7725), meaning 'to return, turn back.' The name is a phrase meaning 'a remnant will return,' where the verb is in the imperfect form, indicating a future action. It derives its meaning directly from this grammatical construction.
Semantic Range
Shear-Jashub is profoundly theological, introducing the pivotal 'remnant' doctrine in the Bible. It teaches that God's judgment does not mean total annihilation for His people; He always preserves a faithful core who will repent and return to Him (Romans 9:27; 11:5). This concept points forward to God's ultimate work of salvation through a remnant—ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ and those who believe in Him. Understanding this Hebrew name enriches the reading of Isaiah and the New Testament by highlighting God's consistent pattern of grace through judgment.
In ancient Israel, names were often descriptive and carried significant meaning, sometimes reflecting circumstances at birth or prophetic declarations. For a prophet to give his child a name that was a direct message from God was a powerful act of prophetic symbolism. It made the prophecy tangible and unforgettable to its audience, in this case, the king and the nation. The cultural practice underscores the seriousness and immediacy of God's word.
שְׁאָר (shᵉʼâr, H7605) — The core noun for 'remnant,' used independently throughout the prophets. פְּלֵיטָה (pᵉlêyṭâh, H6413) — Often translated 'escape' or 'survivor,' emphasizing those who survive a catastrophe, closely related to the remnant concept.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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