Original Word: יָשָׁבְעָם
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Yashob`am
Pronunciation: yah-sho-BAWM
Phonetic Spelling: (yaw-shob-awm')
KJV: Jashobeam
NASB: Jashobeam
Word Origin: [from H7725 (שׁוּב - return) and H5971 (עַם - People)]

1. people will return
2. Jashobam, the name of two or three Israelites

Jashobeam

From shuwb and am; people will return; Jashobam, the name of two or three Israelites -- Jashobeam.

see HEBREW shuwb

see HEBREW am

Word Origin
from shub and am
Definition
"people will return," one of David's heroes
NASB Translation
Jashobeam (3).

יָָֽשָׁבְעָם proper name, masculine a hero of David; — 1 Chronicles 11:11; 1 Chronicles 12:6, 1 Chronicles 27:2 ( ישֵׁב בַּשֶּׁבֶת, q. v. above, in 2 Samuel 23:8, see Dr); Ιεσεβαδα, Ιεσσεβααλ, Ισβααμ, etc.; read in all אִשְׁבַּעַל We and others

Identity and Setting within the Davidic Era

Yashobeam (sometimes transliterated Jashobeam) emerges exclusively in the texts that detail the consolidation of David’s kingdom. All three references occur in sections of 1 Chronicles that record the heroes, allies, and administrative structure surrounding David. The chronicler presents Yashobeam as a man who distinguished himself both in combat and in high-level military organization, illustrating the kind of loyal, Spirit-enabled leadership that contributed to the stability of David’s reign.

Scriptural Occurrences and Narrative Function

1. 1 Chronicles 11:11 introduces Yashobeam at the head of the list of David’s mighty men: “Jashobeam son of Hachmoni was chief of the Thirty; he lifted his spear against three hundred men and killed them in one encounter”. Placing him first underscores pre-eminence among the elite warriors who helped secure David’s throne.
2. 1 Chronicles 12:7 (Hebrew versification 12:6) lists him among the Korahites who came to David while he was still a fugitive. His early alignment with David shows faith in God’s anointed king before public vindication.
3. 1 Chronicles 27:2 credits Yashobeam son of Zabdiel with command of the first monthly division of twenty-four thousand soldiers. The position required tactical skill, administrative competence, and reliable allegiance, as this roster rotated leadership throughout the year.

Military Achievements and Valor

Yashobeam’s single-handed victory over three hundred opponents (1 Chronicles 11:11) parallels exploits by other champions (for example, Eleazar and Shammah, 2 Samuel 23:9–12). The feat demonstrates individual courage but, more importantly, God’s empowerment of David’s army. The chronicler accents these triumphs to remind post-exilic readers that divine strength, rather than numerical advantage, wins battles. Yashobeam’s name heads the “Three,” the most renowned subgroup within “the Thirty,” marking him as first among peers.

Tribal and Ancestral Connections

Two descriptors are given: “son of Hachmoni” (1 Chronicles 11:11) and “son of Zabdiel” (1 Chronicles 27:2). This may indicate paternal and ancestral lines or reflect a different familial title used in the later court record. In 1 Chronicles 12:7 he is placed among the Korahites, a Levitical clan. The intertwining of tribal identities (Judah’s king aided by a Levite warrior) highlights the unity of Israel under David and prefigures the integrated worship-and-warfare roles that characterized the kingdom.

Administrative Role in the Royal Army

1 Chronicles 27 outlines a twelve-division structure, each division serving one month per year. Yashobeam’s leadership of the first division set the standard for the others, making him a model of discipline and readiness. The arrangement provided a standing army without overburdening the populace and demonstrated David’s foresight in national defense. Yashobeam’s monthly command coincided with the new year in the civil calendar, reinforcing the symbolic importance of beginning the cycle under proven leadership.

Spiritual and Theological Insights

• Faith before sight: By joining David in the wilderness (1 Chronicles 12), Yashobeam exemplifies trust in God’s promise despite personal risk.
• God-given strength: His victory over three hundred mirrors Gideon’s reduced army (Judges 7) and Jonathan’s outnumbered assault (1 Samuel 14), reinforcing the biblical pattern that “the battle belongs to the LORD” (1 Samuel 17:47).
• Order and stewardship: His place in the orderly military rotation (1 Chronicles 27) shows that charismatic heroism does not negate the need for structured service; both are necessary for covenant faithfulness and national stability.

Lessons for Today

1. Courage springs from confidence in God rather than self-reliance.
2. Early loyalty to God’s purposes positions believers for greater responsibility when those purposes come to fruition.
3. Gifted individuals should submit their abilities to orderly systems that serve the wider community of faith.

Summary

Yashobeam stands as a paradigm of valiant faith, administrative acumen, and unwavering devotion to the king of God’s choosing. His place at the forefront of David’s mighty men and his subsequent command in the standing army illustrate how singular acts of bravery can mature into sustained, organized service for the flourishing of God’s people.

וְיָשָׁבְעָ֖ם וישבעם יָֽשָׁבְעָ֖ם יָשָׁבְעָ֣ם ישבעם veyashaveAm wə·yā·šā·ḇə·‘ām wəyāšāḇə‘ām yā·šā·ḇə·‘ām yāšāḇə‘ām yashaveAmInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts