Part of Speech: Verb
Strong's Number: H3498
Original Word: yatar
Usage Notes: "to be left; remain over; excel; show excess." This word is found in various Semitic languages, ranging from ancient Akkadian to modern Hebrew. In its verb forms, the word is found just over 100 times in the Hebrew Bible. Yatar occurs for the first time in the biblical text in Gen 30:36, where it is stated that "Jacob fed the rest of Laban's flocks." This statement reflects the word's frequent use to show separation from a primary group. Thus, Jacob "was left alone" (Gen 32:24) when his family and flocks went on beyond the brook Jabbok.
Sometimes the word indicates survivors, as in 2Sa 9:1: "Is there yet any that is left of the house of Saul…?" The remnant idea is reflected in Ezek 6:8: "Yet will I leave a remnant, that ye may have some that shall escape the sword…"
Usage Number: 2
Part of Speech: Noun
Strong's Number: H3499
Original Word: yeter
Usage Notes: "remainder; excess." This noun occurs nearly 100 times. As "remainder, excess," it is used especially in the sense of a lesser number or quality as compared to something of primary importance. So, yeter is used to refer to "the rest of the vessels" left in Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar (Jer 27:19-20, rsv), and the men who were left after Joab had assigned his picked men in the battle lines (2Sam 10:10). Occasionally yeter is used to indicate "excess" in a negative way, so the literal "lip of excess" has the meaning of "false speech" (Prov 17:7, rsv).
A few times this noun implies "superiority" or "pre-eminence," as in Gen 49:3, where Jacob describes his son Reuben as being "preeminent in pride and pre-eminent in power" (rsv). The name of Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, is derived from this word.
