יָתַר

From the study of Isaiah 1:9

Range of meaning

The root ytr means 'to be left over, remain'. Its causative form means 'to leave over, let remain, spare' and is used of food left over (Exodus 16:19), of people spared in war (2 Samuel 8:4), and of what God allows to survive.

Against the English

Nearly all versions say 'had left'. NLT's 'spared' brings out the sense of mercy well.

Used elsewhere in the period

The noun yeter ('remainder') and yôtēr ('what is left over') come from the same root. Isaiah 1:8 uses the passive form of the same verb: 'Daughter Zion is left (nôtərâ) like a shelter in a vineyard.'

From the study of Ezekiel 6:8

Range of meaning

In its simple and passive forms: 'to remain, be left over, be in excess'. In the causative form used here: 'to leave over, let something remain', and also 'to make abundant, give in excess' (Deut 28:11; 30:9). Related nouns are yeter ('remainder; excess, preeminence') and yitron ('surplus, advantage', the key word of Ecclesiastes). The core idea is what is left over beyond the rest.

Against the English

BSB, KJV, WEB and NASB all say 'leave a remnant'. The Hebrew has a verb with no object, 'I will leave over'. It does not use any of the usual 'remnant' nouns (she'ar, she'erit). ESV ('leave some of you alive') and NIV ('spare some') stay closer to the bare verb.

How it drifted

'Remnant' became a loaded theological word in English Bible use. It carries Isaiah's 'a remnant will return' (Isa 10:20–22) and Paul's 'remnant chosen by grace' (Rom 11:5), and in church usage it often means a faithful few. The verb here is plainer: whatever is left over after the cutting down.

Used elsewhere in the period

Used for leftovers that must not remain, such as the Passover meat (Exod 12:10) and the manna (Exod 16:19). Ezekiel uses the exact same form wehotarti in 12:16: 'I will leave over a few of them from the sword, famine and plague, so that they may recount all their abominations among the nations.' In 14:22–23 the survivors who come out of Jerusalem show the exiles that the judgment was deserved. The Septuagint of 6:8 has no matching verb (see textual notes).

From the study of 2 Samuel 9:1

Range of meaning

In this passive-reflexive form (Niphal): to be left over, remain, survive, especially after others have been destroyed, killed or used up.

Against the English

"Left" (BSB, KJV, WEB, YLT) is accurate. The Hebrew carries a stronger sense of "surviving", which NLT's "still alive" brings out.

Used elsewhere in the period

Used for survivors and remnants: Elijah's "I alone am left" (1 Kgs 19:10); Daughter Zion "left like a booth in a vineyard" (Isa 1:8); the report that "not one of [the king's sons] is left" (2 Sam 13:30).