passive participle of יָתַר; properly, what is left, i.e. (by implication) a gleaning; range.
Transliteration:yâthûwr
Pronunciation:yaw-thoor'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word H3491 (יָתוּר, yâthûwr) is a passive participle derived from the verbal root `{{H3498}}` (יָתַר, yâthar), which fundamentally means "to remain, be left over, excel, be preeminent." As a passive participle, yâthûwr therefore signifies "that which is left" or "a remainder." Its semantic range extends to:
* **A remnant or residue:** What is left behind after a primary action or removal.
* **A small quantity or few:** Implies a limited number of items that remain.
* **Gleaning:** By implication, it can refer to what is left in a field after the main harvest, available for the poor to gather. The Strong's definition also includes "range," which in this context might refer to the scope of what is left or available for such secondary collection, though this is less prominent in its sole biblical usage.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word H3491 (יָתוּר, yâthûwr) appears only once in the Hebrew Bible:
* **[[1 Samuel 17:28]]**: "And Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spake unto the men; and Eliab's anger was kindled against David, and he said, Why camest thou down hither? and with whom hast thou left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know thy pride, and the naughtiness of thine heart; for thou art come down that thou mightest see the battle."
In this sole occurrence, yâthûwr is translated as "few" (הַצֹּאן הַיְתֻרֹת, *haṣṣo’n hayṯurōṯ*), referring to "those few sheep" that David had ostensibly left in the wilderness. The context is Eliab's angry and condescending rebuke of David. Eliab's question is rhetorical, designed to belittle David's presence at the battlefront by contrasting it with his seemingly insignificant pastoral duties. The use of yâthûwr here emphasizes the perceived smallness and unimportance of the flock David was tending, highlighting Eliab's disdain for his younger brother's perceived presumption.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related word is the verbal root `{{H3498}}` (יָתַר, yâthar), from which yâthûwr is derived. This root is foundational to the concept of "remnant" throughout the Old Testament, often appearing in forms like `{{H3499}}` (יֶתֶר, yeter) or `{{H7604}}` (שְׁאָר, sh'ar). These related terms frequently carry significant theological weight, referring to a surviving group preserved by God.
Other related concepts include:
* **Gleaning laws:** The practice of leaving a portion of the harvest for the poor and sojourners (e.g., [[Leviticus 19:9-10]], [[Deuteronomy 24:19-22]]), which involves what is "left over" (though different Hebrew terms are typically used for the act of gleaning itself, such as `{{H3958}}` *leqet*).
* **Divine preservation:** The idea that God always preserves a "remnant" of His people, even through judgment or exile, ensuring the continuity of His covenant and purposes.
### Theological Significance
Due to its singular occurrence and specific, non-theological context in [[1 Samuel 17:28]], H3491 (יָתוּר, yâthûwr) does not carry an independent, broad theological significance. Its theological weight is primarily derivative, stemming from its connection to the root `{{H3498}}` and the broader biblical concept of the "remnant."
In [[1 Samuel 17:28]], the "few sheep" represent David's humble and seemingly insignificant background. Paradoxically, it is from such unassuming circumstances that God often raises up His chosen instruments. While Eliab uses yâthûwr to diminish David, the divine narrative reveals that God often works through the "few," the "left behind," or the "unimportant" to accomplish His mighty plans, demonstrating His sovereignty and confounding human expectations. Thus, even in this isolated instance, yâthûwr subtly underscores the contrast between human perception and divine election.
### Summary
H3491 (יָתוּר, yâthûwr) is a passive participle meaning "that which is left" or "a remainder." It appears uniquely in [[1 Samuel 17:28]], where it describes the "few sheep" that David left in the wilderness, serving to highlight Eliab's dismissive attitude towards his younger brother. While H3491 itself does not possess extensive theological meaning due to its singular use, its connection to the pervasive biblical concept of the "remnant" (derived from its root `{{H3498}}`) subtly links it to the theme of God's work through the seemingly insignificant or the "few" whom He preserves and elevates for His divine purposes.
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