In the Old Testament, in relation to the nation of Israel, a “remnant” referred to a small percentage of the population of the nation of Israel who survived divine judgment in the form of the Assyrian and Babylonian invasions and deportations. The concept has its roots in Deuteronomy 4:27-31; 28:62-68; 30:1-10.

In the Old Testament the word “remnant” implies that a catastrophe or judgment has occurred that destroyed the majority of a group of people. The minority who survive the catastrophe or judgment are the remnant (Neh. 1:3; Ezek. 11:13).

According to the Book of Isaiah, the "remnant" (Hebrew: שְׁאָר, romanized : sh'ár) is a small group of Israelites who will survive the invasion of the Assyrian army under Tiglath-Pileser III (Isaiah 10:20–22). The remnant is promised that they will one day be brought back to the Promised Land by Yahweh (Isaiah 11:11–16).

God Leaves a Remnant - Something remaining. In the Old Testament some passages refer to total destruction of a nation (e.g., the Babylonians in Jer. 50:26). When God brings judgment on the people, however, he does not destroy the faithful with the wicked, but leaves a remnant (Ezek. 6:8 + ; Mic. 2:12 +).