Bible Encyclopedias
Jeshurun

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

je - shū ´- run , jesh ´- u - run ( ישׁרוּן , yeshurūn , "upright one," Deuteronomy 32:15; Deuteronomy 33:5 , Deuteronomy 33:26; Isaiah 44:2 ): Septuagint translates it "the beloved one" ἠγαπημένος , ēgapēménos , the perfect participle passive of agapáō ), and in Isaiah 44:2 adds "Israel"; Vulgate (Jerome's Latin Bible, 390-405 A.D.) has dilectus in Deuteronomy 32:15 , elsewhere rectissimus; Aquila, Symmachus, Theodotion have "upright." For the form, Duhm compares זבלוּן , zebhulūn , Zebulun. (1) The name used to be explained as a diminutive form, a pet name, and some, e.g. Cornill, Schultz (Old Testament Theology , English translation, II, 29, note 12) still explain it so, "the righteous little people." But there is no evidence that the ending -ūn had a diminutive force. (2) Most moderns take it as a poetical or ideal title of Israel, derived from ישׁר , yāshār , "upright"; it is held to contain a tacit reference to the word Israel (ישׁראל , yisrā'ēl ), of which the first three consonants are almost the same as those of "Jeshurun"; in Numbers 23:10 the term "the righteous ones" ( ישׁרים , yeshārı̄m ) is supposed to contain a similar reference. Most commentators compare also "the Book of Jashar," and it has been held that "Jashar" is similarly a name by which Israel is called. See JASHAR .

Following Bacher ( ZATW , 1885,161 ff), commentators hold that in Isaiah this new name, a coinage due to the author of Second Isaiah and adopted in Deuteronomy, stands in contrast to Jacob, "the supplanter," as his name was explained by the Hebrews (compare Hosea 12:2-4 ). Israel is here given a new name, "the upright, pious one," and with the new name goes new chance in life, to live up to its meaning. Driver (Deuteronomy, 361) says that in Deuteronomy 32:15 "where the context is of declension from its ideal (it is) applied reproachfully. 'Nomen Recti pro Israele ponens, ironice eos perstringit qui a rectitudine defecerant' (Calv.). Elsewhere it is used as a title of honor." the King James Version has "Jesurun" in Isaiah 44:2 .