יָתַר
𐤉𐤕𐤓
yâthar
H3498 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To be left over, to remain, to be spared or left behind, frequently with reference to persons or things surviving a disaster or being preserved from destruction. The verb יָתַר is commonly used for what remains after an event, whether positive (excess, abundance) or negative (survival following judgment). It can also mean to leave or set aside intentionally, to cause others or things to remain, or to preserve. In some contexts, it carries the nuance of excess or surplus.
Semantic Range
to be left behind, to remain, to survive, to be spared, to leave (behind), to preserve, to cause to remain, to reserve, to have excess, to abound, to make plentiful, surplus, residue, remnant
Root / Etymology
From the root י-ת-ר, which primarily expresses the idea of 'being left over' or 'exceeding,' indicating that something remains after the rest has been removed or expended. The core sense is of superfluity or that which is surplus or remnant. Forms of the root appear across Semitic languages, supporting its antiquity.
Historical & Contextual Notes
יָתַר appears throughout the Hebrew Bible in both literal and figurative senses. In early Israelite narratives, it often refers to survivors left after divine judgment, warfare, or natural disaster (e.g., those left after a plague or conquest), highlighting the experience of being spared. The term underpins the theological motif of a 'remnant'—a concept that develops in exilic and post-exilic periods but is rooted in the literal 'remaining ones' of earlier texts. Conversely, it can also denote what is in excess, such as an overabundance of food or material surplus, especially in priestly or ritual contexts. Causative forms (hiphil) often mean 'to leave behind intentionally,' 'to cause to abound,' or 'to set aside.' Unlike שָׁאַר (sha'ar), which also means 'to remain,' יָתַר emphasizes what exceeds or is left as a remainder, often with a subtle distinction of abundance or survival rather than mere presence. English renderings like 'remnant,' 'left over,' or 'excess' capture main senses but often flatten the rich range of contexts—survival, preservation, surplus, and reservation. Distinctions between periods are mostly subtle, although the term acquires increasing theological significance during and after the exile, when survivors (the 'remnant') become symbolically important for subsequent restoration identities.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root; to jut over or exceed; by implication, to excel; (intransitively) to remain or be left; causatively, to leave, cause to abound, preserve; excel, leave (a remnant), left behind, too much, make plenteous, preserve, (be, let) remain(-der, -ing, -nant), reserve, residue, rest.
Bantu Hebrew
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יתר (y-t-r) — remain, exceed, be left over, have excess
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H1956 | הוֹתִיר | Hothir |
| H3148 | יוֹתֵר | and surplus |
| H3491 | יָתוּר | leftover gleaning |
| H3492 | יַתִּיר | in Yattir |
| H3493 | יַתִּיר | Exceeding-One |
Word Forms
35 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3498-03 |
הַ/נּוֹתָרִ֛ים | hanotarim | HTd/VNrmpa |
the remaining | the remaining ones | 23 |
H3498-25 |
וְ/הַ/נֹּתָ֥ר | vehanotar | HC/Td/VNrmsa |
and-the-remainder | and the remaining one | 11 |
H3498-11 |
נוֹתַ֨ר | notar | HVNp3ms |
remained | he was left over | 10 |
H3498-02 |
הַ/נּוֹתָר֙ | hanotar | HTd/VNrmsa |
one who remains | the remaining one | 7 |
H3498-32 |
יִוָּתֵ֞ר | yivater | HVNi3ms |
will be left | he will remain | 4 |
H3498-08 |
הוֹתִ֖יר | hotir | HVhp3ms |
had left | he caused to remain | 3 |
H3498-27 |
וְ/הַ/נּוֹתֶ֨רֶת֙ | vehanoteret | HC/Td/VNrfsa |
and the remainder | and the remaining (feminine) | 3 |
H3498-04 |
הַ/נּוֹתָרֹֽת | hanotarot | HTd/VNrfpa |
that remain | the ones left over | 3 |
H3498-18 |
תוֹתִ֥ירוּ | totiru | HVhi2mp |
you let remain | you will leave remaining | 3 |
H3498-21 |
וַ/יִּוָּתֵ֥ר | vayivater | HC/VNw3ms |
and he is left | and he was left remaining | 3 |
Occurrences in Scripture
107 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3498-04 |
Genesis 30:36 | הַ/נּוֹתָרֹֽת | hanotarot | HTd/VNrfpa |
the rest of | the ones left over |
H3498-21 |
Genesis 32:25 | וַ/יִּוָּתֵ֥ר | vayivater | HC/VNw3ms |
And he saw | and he was left remaining |
H3498-21 |
Genesis 44:20 | וַ/יִּוָּתֵ֨ר | vayivater | HC/VNw3ms |
and he is left | and he was left remaining |
H3498-17 |
Genesis 49:4 | תּוֹתַ֔ר | totar | HVhj2ms |
shall you excel | may you cause to remain |
H3498-08 |
Exodus 10:15 | הוֹתִ֖יר | hotir | HVhp3ms |
had left | he caused to remain |
H3498-11 |
Exodus 10:15 | נוֹתַ֨ר | notar | HVNp3ms |
remained | he was left over |
H3498-18 |
Exodus 12:10 | תוֹתִ֥ירוּ | totiru | HVhi2mp |
you shall leave over | you will leave remaining |
H3498-25 |
Exodus 12:10 | וְ/הַ/נֹּתָ֥ר | vehanotar | HC/Td/VNrmsa |
and the remaining | and the remaining one |
H3498-34 |
Exodus 16:19 | יוֹתֵ֥ר | yoter | HVhj3ms |
leave over | let him cause to remain |
H3498-24 |
Exodus 16:20 | וַ/יּוֹתִ֨רוּ | vayotiru | HC/Vhw3mp |
and left over | and they caused to remain |