or יָשִׁיב; from שׁוּב; he will return; Jashub, the name of two Israelites; Jashub.
Transliteration:Yâshûwb
Pronunciation:yaw-shoob'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew proper noun יָשׁוּב (Yâshûwb), Strong's `{{H3437}}`, is derived directly from the verbal root שׁוּב (shûwb), Strong's `{{H7725}}`. The root `{{H7725}}` is one of the most significant verbs in the Hebrew Bible, carrying a wide semantic range that includes "to turn back," "to return," "to repent," "to restore," and "to cause to return." Consequently, the name Yâshûwb literally means "he will return" or "one who returns." As a proper noun, its semantic range is limited to its application as a personal name, yet the underlying meaning of its verbal root imbues it with profound theological resonance. The name points to a future action or a characteristic of returning, embodying a dynamic concept rather than a static state.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The name Yâshûwb appears in the Hebrew Bible referring to two distinct individuals:
1. **Jashub, son of Issachar:** This individual is listed as one of the sons of Issachar, and therefore one of the seventy souls who went down to Egypt with Jacob.
* In [[Genesis 46:13]], he is named as one of the sons of Issachar, alongside Tola, Puvah, and Shimron, establishing his place in the foundational genealogy of the tribes of Israel.
* In [[Numbers 26:24]], during the second census of Israel in the wilderness, Jashub is identified as the progenitor of the Jashubite clan, one of the four clans of Issachar. This highlights his role in the development and organization of the Israelite tribal structure.
* [[1 Chronicles 7:1]] reiterates his position as a son of Issachar, further cementing his place within the historical and genealogical records of Israel.
In this context, the name "he will return" might subtly foreshadow the eventual return of the Israelites from Egypt to the Promised Land, or perhaps even the cyclical nature of their relationship with God, marked by turning away and returning.
2. **Jashub, one of those who had foreign wives:** This individual appears in the post-exilic period, during the reforms initiated by Ezra.
* [[Ezra 10:29]] lists Jashub among the sons of Bani who had taken foreign wives and were required to put them away as part of the covenant renewal and purification process.
Here, the meaning of the name "he will return" takes on a remarkably poignant and literal significance. Jashub, by putting away his foreign wife, physically and spiritually "returned" to the covenant and the law of God. His name becomes a living embodiment of the repentance and turning back to Yahweh that characterized the post-exilic community's efforts to re-establish their identity and faithfulness.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary and most significant related word to Yâshûwb is its root, `{{H7725}}` (shûwb). This verb is foundational to understanding many key biblical concepts:
* **Repentance (Teshuvah):** The theological concept of "turning back" to God from sin is intrinsically linked to `{{H7725}}`. The name Yâshûwb, "he will return," encapsulates this essential spiritual movement.
* **Restoration:** `{{H7725}}` is used to describe God's act of restoring His people, their fortunes, or their land (e.g., [[Jeremiah 29:14]]). The name Yâshûwb can thus subtly point to God's promise of restoration.
* **Return from Exile:** The physical return of the Israelites from Babylonian exile is often described using forms of `{{H7725}}`. This historical event gives the concept of "return" immense weight in Israelite theology.
* **Other proper nouns:** While not direct derivations in the same morphological pattern, other names like Hosea (from `{{H3467}}`, salvation, but often associated with calling Israel to return) or the prophetic book of Joel (which calls for repentance) resonate with the theme of return. More directly, names like Shubael (`{{H7619}}`, "returned of God") share the same root, emphasizing the divine aspect of return.
### Theological Significance
The name Yâshûwb, meaning "he will return," carries profound theological weight, primarily due to its connection with the root `{{H7725}}`.
1. **The Imperative of Repentance:** The name serves as a constant reminder of the fundamental biblical call to repentance (Teshuvah). Humanity is called to "return" from their wayward paths to God's righteous ways. The example of Jashub in Ezra's time vividly illustrates this spiritual turning.
2. **God's Initiative in Restoration:** While the name suggests human action ("he will return"), the broader biblical narrative often portrays God as the one who enables or causes the return. God calls His people to return, and He also promises to bring them back (e.g., [[Deuteronomy 30:1-3]]). Thus, the name can implicitly point to God's sovereign plan to restore His covenant people.
3. **Covenant Faithfulness:** The concept of "return" is deeply embedded in the covenant relationship between God and Israel. When Israel strays, God calls them to return to the covenant. The name Yâshûwb, appearing in the very genealogies of Israel, subtly embeds this theme of covenant fidelity and the necessity of turning back to God within the identity of His people.
4. **Hope and Promise:** In a broader sense, the name "he will return" carries a note of hope, anticipating a future restoration or a turning back towards God's favor and presence. It speaks to the ongoing dynamic of God's relationship with His people, marked by cycles of wandering and return.
### Summary
Yâshûwb (`{{H3437}}`) is a Hebrew proper noun meaning "he will return," derived from the pivotal verb `{{H7725}}` (shûwb), "to return, repent, restore." It designates two distinct individuals in the biblical narrative: a son of Issachar, foundational to Israel's tribal lineage, and a man in Ezra's time who repented of his foreign marriage. The name's intrinsic meaning powerfully encapsulates central biblical themes: the imperative of human repentance and turning back to God, God's divine initiative in restoring His people, and the enduring promise of return within the covenant relationship. Its presence in both foundational genealogies and post-exilic reforms underscores the timeless and pervasive nature of the call to return and the hope of restoration throughout redemptive history.
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