Isaiah 11:1
And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:
Original Language Analysis
וְיָצָ֥א
And there shall come forth
H3318
וְיָצָ֥א
And there shall come forth
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
1 of 7
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
מִגֵּ֣זַע
out of the stem
H1503
מִגֵּ֣זַע
out of the stem
Strong's:
H1503
Word #:
3 of 7
the trunk or stump of a tree (as felled or as planted)
Cross References
Jeremiah 23:5Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.Zechariah 6:12And speak unto him, saying, Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Behold the man whose name is The BRANCH; and he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the temple of the LORD:Revelation 22:16I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.Revelation 5:5And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.Isaiah 53:2For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.Zechariah 3:8Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, thou, and thy fellows that sit before thee: for they are men wondered at: for, behold, I will bring forth my servant the BRANCH.Jeremiah 33:15In those days, and at that time, will I cause the Branch of righteousness to grow up unto David; and he shall execute judgment and righteousness in the land.Isaiah 9:7Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.Romans 15:12And again, Esaias saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust.Isaiah 11:10And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious.
Historical Context
When Isaiah wrote, David's line ruled but was threatened. Later, Babylonian conquest ended Davidic monarchy (586 BC)—the tree was 'cut down.' Yet from these 'roots,' Jesus was born (c. 4 BC) in Bethlehem, David's city, into David's line through both Joseph and Mary. The 'Branch' imagery became a technical Messianic title (Jeremiah 23:5; Zechariah 3:8). Matthew and Luke's genealogies verify Jesus's Davidic descent.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the Branch imagery illustrate God's power to bring life from apparent death?
- What does Jesus's descent from David teach about God's faithfulness to His covenant promises?
- How does Christ fulfill and exceed all that David's kingship represented?
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Analysis & Commentary
One of Scripture's clearest Messianic prophecies. The 'rod out of the stem of Jesse' and 'Branch...out of his roots' identify Messiah as David's descendant (Jesse was David's father). The imagery of a cut-down tree (stem/roots) sprouting new growth suggests the Davidic dynasty's apparent end, then miraculous revival in Christ. 'Branch' (Hebrew netzer) connects to Nazareth and Jesus being called a Nazarene. This demonstrates God's faithfulness to Davidic covenant despite dynasty's apparent failure.