Topical Bible: The Jews: Called: Jeshurun

◄ The Jews: Called: Jeshurun ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

The term "Jeshurun" is a poetic name for Israel found in the Hebrew Bible, used to refer to the people of Israel in a manner that conveys affection and endearment. The name is derived from a root word meaning "upright" or "straight," suggesting a sense of righteousness or moral integrity. Jeshurun is used in several key passages, each highlighting different aspects of Israel's relationship with God.

Biblical References:

1. Deuteronomy 32:15 : "But Jeshurun grew fat and kicked; you grew fat, thick, and sleek. He abandoned the God who made him and scorned the Rock of his salvation." In this passage, Jeshurun is depicted as having become complacent and rebellious after experiencing prosperity. The name is used here to emphasize the contrast between Israel's privileged position and their subsequent unfaithfulness to God.

2. Deuteronomy 33:5 : "So He became King in Jeshurun when the leaders of the people gathered, together with the tribes of Israel." This verse highlights God's kingship over Israel, referred to as Jeshurun, during the assembly of the tribes. It underscores the unity and divine governance of the nation under God's law.

3. Deuteronomy 33:26 : "There is none like the God of Jeshurun, who rides the heavens to your aid, and the clouds in His majesty." Here, Jeshurun is used to describe Israel as the recipient of God's unparalleled protection and majesty. The imagery of God riding the heavens conveys His supreme power and readiness to assist His chosen people.

4. Isaiah 44:2 : "This is the word of the LORD your Maker, who formed you from the womb and will help you: Do not be afraid, O Jacob My servant, Jeshurun, whom I have chosen." In this context, Jeshurun is synonymous with Jacob, emphasizing God's intimate relationship with Israel as their Creator and Helper. The use of Jeshurun here reassures the people of God's enduring commitment and choice of Israel as His servant.

Theological Significance:

The use of the name Jeshurun in the Bible serves as a reminder of Israel's calling to live uprightly before God. It reflects the ideal of what Israel is meant to be—a nation that embodies righteousness and faithfulness. However, the term also serves as a critique when Israel falls short of this ideal, as seen in Deuteronomy 32:15. The dual use of Jeshurun as both an endearing and corrective term illustrates the dynamic relationship between God and His people, characterized by both love and discipline.

Jeshurun, therefore, encapsulates the identity and vocation of Israel as God's chosen people, called to reflect His holiness and justice in the world. It is a name that carries both the weight of responsibility and the promise of divine favor, reminding the Jews of their unique covenant relationship with the Almighty.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Deuteronomy 32:15
But Jeshurun waxed fat, and kicked: you are waxen fat, you are grown thick, you are covered with fatness; then he forsook God which made him, and lightly esteemed the Rock of his salvation.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Census of Israel
... He is king in Jeshurun, without peer or rival. The Jews have a tradition that when
he was called to go up to the top of Nebo to die, the people followed him up ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/the census of israel.htm

"They have Corrupted Themselves; their Spot is not the Spot of his ...
... "Jeshurun waxed fat and kicked, and lightly esteemed the Rock ... is the greater blot
that they are called so, and ... But Moses did not flatter these Jews, but told ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon iv they have corrupted.htm

Preached Before the Governor, and Council, and the House of ...
... that vauntingly said, what can these feeble Jews do, pretending ... emigration of a single
private family, called out of ... should be nurtured to be king in Jeshurun? ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/preached before the governor and.htm

1 Timothy iv. 3-Jan
... This refers not to the Jews, (for "the latter times," and a ... Is this to be called
life? ... how pernicious luxury was from that saying of Moses, "Jeshurun waxed fat ...
/.../homily xii 1 timothy iv.htm

The Day of Atonement
... He who was ordained priest in Jeshurun, for that day ... lots is to teach that although
the Jews brought Jesus ... tormented by the devil, and was called Azazel, just ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/the day of atonement.htm

Britain's Mercies, and Britain's Duty
... and putrifying sores." We have, Jeshurun-like, waxed ... as the days wherein the Jews
rested from ... Richard Steel's expression) emphatically called, the Scriptures? ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/britains mercies and britains duty.htm

Book ii. Jerome Answers the Second, Third, and Fourth Propositions ...
... of the commoner sort of the people who imitated the Jews in devouring ... of gods Egypt
always welcomed, one of their cities was recently called [4748] Antinous ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/book ii jerome answers the.htm

The Blessing of God.
... "There is none like unto the GOD of Jeshurun, who rideth ... forth the beauties of Him
who has "called us by ... and were redeemed (not from among the Jews only, but ...
/.../taylor/separation and service/part ii the blessing of.htm