יָשׇׁבְעָם
𐤉𐤔𐤁𐤏𐤌
Yashveam
H3434 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Yashobʻam is a personal name meaning 'let the people return' or 'the people will return.' It is attested as the name of at least two individuals in the Hebrew Bible, specifically among David's elite warriors. The name encapsulates a wish or affirmation regarding the return or restoration of a group (the 'people'), which may have had special resonance during times of exile or danger. In context, the name functions both as a proper noun and as a theophoric personal name, though without explicit reference to a deity in its construction.
Semantic Range
proper name (personal), the people will return, let the people return, Jashobam, Jashobeam
Root / Etymology
יָשׇׁבְעָם is a compound name likely derived from the root שׁוּב (to return, turn back) and עַם (people, nation). The first element is the imperfect or jussive form of the verb (probably יָשׁׁוּב or plural יָשׁוּבוּ), forming a meaning such as 'may (the) people return.' It is possible that ancient Israelite naming practices used such constructions to express hope, prayer, or statement regarding communal fate or aspirations.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the biblical text, Yashobʻam appears in genealogies and military lists, notably in 1 Chronicles 11:11; 12:6, and 27:2 among David's prominent warriors. The name is preserved in early monarchic contexts (unlike later Judean or post-exilic lists), and occurs exclusively as a personal name; there is no evidence that it carried a generic appellative meaning. English Bible translations typically render the name as 'Jashobeam,' an Anglicized form, rather than translating its meaning. The structure of the name follows a common Israelite practice of combining a verb form and a noun (usually expressing theological or communal sentiment). There is no evidence that the name was ever used outside a personal or genealogical context in the Hebrew Bible. As this is a personal name, the lexical meaning is mostly relevant for onomastic (naming) studies. Chronologically, the name does not appear in later Judean or exilic lists, and its occurrence is limited to narratives and registers roughly corresponding to the monarchic period. The English term 'Jew' does not relate to these references; those named are Israelites during David's reign.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from שׁוּב and עַם; people will return; Jashobam, the name of two or three Israelites; Jashobeam.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
שוב, עם (sh-w-b, ʿ-m) — return, turn back; people, nation
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3434-02 |
יָשָׁבְעָ֣ם | yashaveam | HNp |
Jashobeam | The-People-Will-Return | 2 |
H3434-01 |
וְ/יָשָׁבְעָ֖ם | veyashaveam | HC/Np |
and-Yashobeam | and The-people-will-return | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
3 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3434-02 |
1 Chronicles 11:11 | יָשָׁבְעָ֣ם | yashaveam | HNp |
Jashobeam | The-People-Will-Return |
H3434-01 |
1 Chronicles 12:7 | וְ/יָשָׁבְעָ֖ם | veyashaveam | HC/Np |
and-Yashobeam | and The-people-will-return |
H3434-02 |
1 Chronicles 27:2 | יָֽשָׁבְעָ֖ם | yashaveam | HNp |
Jashobeam | The-People-Will-Return |