Remnant

Remnant - (Webster's 1828 Dictionary)

REM'NANT, n. [contracted from remanent. See Remain.]

1. Residue; that which is left after the separation, removal or destruction of a part.

The remnant that are left of the captivity. Neh 1.

2. That which remains after a part is done, performed, told or passed.

The remnant of my tale is of a length to tire your patience.

Where I may think the remnant of my thoughts.

REM'NANT, a. Remaining; yet left.

And quiet dedicate her remnant life to the just duties of a humble wife. [Little used.]

rem'-nant: Remnant is the translation of yether, "what is left over" (De 3:11; 28:54; Jos 12:4, etc.); of she'-ar, "the rest" (Ezr 3:8 the King James Version; Isa 10:20,21,22; 11:16, etc.; Ze 1:4); more frequently of she'-erith, "residue," etc. (2Ki 19:4,31; 2Ch 34:9; Ezr 9:14; Isa 14:30, etc.). As the translation of the last-mentioned two words, "remnant" has a special significance in the prophecies of Isaiah, as denoting "a holy seed," or spiritual kernel, of the nation which should survive impending judgment and become the germ of the people of God, being blessed of God and made a blessing (compare Mic 2:12; 4:7; 5:7,8; 7:18; also Ze 2:7; 3:13; Hag 1:12,14; Zec 8:6; Joe 2:32). Paul, in Ro 9:27, quotes from Isa 10:22 f, "the remnant (kataleimma, "what is left over"] shall be saved"; compare also Ro 11:5 (where the word is leimma) with 2Ki 19:4. Several other Hebrew words are less frequently translated "remnant": 'ahar, "after"; yathar, "to be left over," etc.; in the New Testament (the King James Version) we have also loipos, "left," "remaining" (Mt 22:6; Re 11:13, etc.).

For "remnant" the Revised Version (British and American) has "overhanging part" (Ex 26:12), "rest" (Le 14:18, etc.); on the other hand gives "remnant" for "posterity" (Ge 45:7), for "rest" (Jos 10:20; 1Ch 4:43; Isa 10:19), for "residue" (Hag 2:2; Zec 8:11), etc.

W. L. Walker

Definition

The term “remnant” literally refers to people or things that are “remaining” or “left over” from a larger amount or group.

• Often a “remnant” refers to people who survive a life-threatening situation or who remain faithful to God while undergoing persecution.
• Isaiah referred to a group of Jews as being a remnant who would survive attacks from outsiders and live to return to the Promised Land in Canaan.
• Paul talks about there being a “remnant” of people who were chosen by God to receive his grace.
• The term “remnant” also implies that there were other people who did not remain or were not left over.

Translation Suggestions

• A phrase such as “the remnant of this people” could be translated as “the rest of these people” or “the people who are left.”
• The “whole remnant of people” could be translated by “all the rest of the people” or “the remaining people.”

Bible References

• Acts 15:17
• Amos 9:12
• Ezekiel 6:8-10
• Genesis 45:7
• Isaiah 11:11
• Micah 4:6-8

Word Data

• Strong’s: H3498, H3499, H5629, H6413, H7604, H7605, H7611, H8281, H8300, G26400, G30050, G30620