from שׁוּב and עַם; people will return; Jashobam, the name of two or three Israelites; Jashobeam.
Transliteration:Yâshobʻâm
Pronunciation:yaw-shob-awm'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew proper noun יָשׇׁבְעָם (Yâshobʻâm - `{{H3434}}`) is a compound name, derived from two significant Hebrew roots. The first component is שׁוּב (shuv - `{{H7725}}`), meaning "to return," "to turn back," "to repent," or "to restore." The second component is עַם (ʻam - `{{H5971}}`), meaning "people," "nation," or "kinsfolk." Therefore, the literal and most common interpretation of the name's meaning is "people will return" or "the people return." This etymology suggests a hopeful, perhaps even prophetic, connotation, implying a turning back to a proper state, a restoration, or a repentance. As a proper noun, its primary function is to identify individuals, yet the inherent meaning of its constituent parts imbues it with a deeper semantic resonance, pointing to themes of communal restoration or spiritual turning.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The name יָשׇׁבְעָם (Yâshobʻâm), transliterated as Jashobam or Jashobeam, appears in the Old Testament primarily in connection with David's elite warriors.
* **[[1 Chronicles 11:11]]**: Here, Jashobeam, the son of Hachmoni, is introduced as the "chief of the captains" among David's mighty men. He is credited with an astonishing feat of valor, lifting "up his spear against three hundred and killed them at one time." This passage highlights his unparalleled strength and leadership, placing him at the pinnacle of David's military prowess.
* **[[2 Samuel 23:8]]**: This parallel passage in Samuel lists David's mighty men, identifying the chief as "Josheb-basshebeth, a Tahchemonite." Many scholars widely agree that "Josheb-basshebeth" is a textual corruption or variant form of Jashobeam, referring to the same individual as in 1 Chronicles 11:11, given the similar description of his incredible martial exploit (killing eight hundred at one time, a number that varies from 1 Chronicles but signifies a similar extraordinary feat). If this identification is correct, it reinforces Jashobeam's status as the foremost of David's warriors.
* **[[1 Chronicles 12:6]] (or 12:7 in some versions):** Another Jashobeam is mentioned among the Gadites who joined David in the wilderness at Ziklag: "Jashobeam, and Joelah, the sons of Jeroham from Gedor." While bearing the same name, this individual is typically understood to be distinct from the chief of David's mighty men, though he too demonstrates loyalty and readiness to serve David during his period of exile.
In all contexts, the name is associated with individuals demonstrating loyalty, courage, and significant contribution to the establishment and security of David's kingdom. The chief Jashobeam's actions directly facilitated the "return" of stability and divine order to Israel under David's rule.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related concepts stem directly from the etymology of יָשׇׁבְעָם:
* **שׁוּב (shuv - `{{H7725}}`):** This root is foundational to the name and to much of biblical theology. It encompasses not only physical "return" but also spiritual "turning back," "repentance," and "restoration." Its usage throughout the prophets, for instance, calls Israel to "return" to the Lord (e.g., [[Jeremiah 3:12]], [[Hosea 14:1]]).
* **עַם (ʻam - `{{H5971}}`):** This term signifies "people," often specifically referring to God's chosen people, Israel. It emphasizes communal identity, covenant relationship, and national destiny.
* **Repentance (תְּשׁוּבָה - teshuva):** While not directly the name's meaning, the concept of repentance is intimately linked to the root שׁוּב. It signifies a turning away from sin and a turning back to God, a core theme in the biblical narrative of salvation and restoration.
* **David's Mighty Men (גִּבֹּרִים - gibborim):** The context in which Jashobeam appears links him to this elite group of warriors. Their collective actions represent the strength, loyalty, and divine favor that enabled David to consolidate his kingdom and bring about a "return" to covenant fidelity after the tumultuous period of Saul's reign. Their very existence and dedication contributed to the "people's return" to a secure and God-ordained leadership.
### Theological Significance
While Jashobam is a proper name, its etymological meaning, "people will return," carries profound theological weight, especially when considered in the context of the individual's role.
* **Hope and Restoration:** The name itself serves as a miniature theological statement. In a period of transition and consolidation for the nascent kingdom of Israel, the idea of "the people returning" could signify a return to divine order, to God's chosen leadership, or to a state of peace and blessing under the Davidic covenant. It encapsulates a hope for communal spiritual renewal and national restoration.
* **Divine Purpose in Naming:** Biblical names often reflect parental hopes, prophetic insights, or divine purposes. The giving of this name might have expressed a deep yearning for the nation to turn back to God or to experience a restoration of its fortunes.
* **Embodiment of God's Work:** Jashobam, as a chief warrior, was instrumental in securing the kingdom for David, God's anointed. His valor and leadership directly contributed to the "return" of stability and security for the nation. In this sense, he was an agent through whom the "people could return" to a place of peace and adherence to God's covenant. His actions, therefore, physically manifested the spiritual aspiration embedded in his name.
* **Anticipation of Eschatological Return:** More broadly, the concept of "return" (שׁוּב) is a foundational theme in prophetic literature, looking forward to a future eschatological return of Israel from exile and a spiritual return to the Lord in the messianic age (e.g., [[Isaiah 44:22]], [[Jeremiah 31:16-17]]). While Jashobam's immediate context is historical, his name resonates with this grander redemptive narrative.
### Summary
The Hebrew name יָשׇׁבְעָם (Yâshobʻâm - `{{H3434}}`), transliterated as Jashobam or Jashobeam, is a compound signifying "people will return" or "the people return," derived from שׁוּב (shuv - `{{H7725}}`, "to return") and עַם (ʻam - `{{H5971}}`, "people"). This name is primarily associated with a preeminent warrior among King David's mighty men, renowned for his extraordinary valor and leadership, as recorded in [[1 Chronicles 11:11]] and likely in [[2 Samuel 23:8]]. While identifying a specific historical figure, the name's etymology carries profound theological weight, embodying themes of hope, restoration, and repentance inherent in the root "shuv." Jashobam's role in establishing David's kingdom metaphorically represents the "people's return" to a state of order and divine favor. Thus, the name encapsulates both a historical reality of military prowess and a deeper spiritual aspiration for the nation's turning back to God and experiencing His restorative work.
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