Romans 15:12
And 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.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 18
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
πάλιν
again
G3825
πάλιν
again
Strong's:
G3825
Word #:
2 of 18
(adverbially) anew, i.e., (of place) back, (of time) once more, or (conjunctionally) furthermore or on the other hand
λέγει
saith
G3004
λέγει
saith
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
4 of 18
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
ἡ
G3588
ἡ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
10 of 18
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀνιστάμενος
he that shall rise
G450
ἀνιστάμενος
he that shall rise
Strong's:
G450
Word #:
12 of 18
to stand up (literal or figurative, transitive or intransitive)
ἔθνη
the Gentiles
G1484
ἔθνη
the Gentiles
Strong's:
G1484
Word #:
14 of 18
a race (as of the same habit), i.e., a tribe; specially, a foreign (non-jewish) one (usually, by implication, pagan)
ἐπ'
in
G1909
ἐπ'
in
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
15 of 18
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
αὐτῷ
him
G846
αὐτῷ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
16 of 18
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
Cross References
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.Isaiah 11:1And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:Matthew 12:21And in his name shall the Gentiles trust.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.1 Corinthians 15:19If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.Genesis 49:10The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.Daniel 7:14And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.
Historical Context
Isaiah 11:1-10 is a classic messianic prophecy describing the ideal Davidic king who will judge righteously and bring universal peace. Verse 10's reference to Gentiles seeking the 'root of Jesse' was understood messianically in Judaism. Paul's application to Jesus and the Gentile mission was therefore grounded in accepted messianic texts, though his reading was distinctively christological.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Christ's identity as both 'root of Jesse' (Jewish Messiah) and ruler of the Gentiles challenge ethnic or cultural exclusivism in the church?
- What does it mean practically for you to 'hope in' or 'trust in' Christ as the risen, reigning Lord?
- How should the fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy in the inclusion of the Gentiles shape Christian attitudes toward OT prophecy and its interpretation?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And again, Esaias saith, There shall be a root of Jesse (καὶ πάλιν Ἠσαΐας λέγει· Ἔσται ἡ ῥίζα τοῦ Ἰεσσαί, kai palin Ēsaias legei· estai hē rhiza tou Iessai)—Paul's fourth quotation, from Isaiah 11:10, climaxes the scriptural proof. The 'root of Jesse' refers to the Messiah from David's (Jesse's son's) line. Rhiza (root) can mean either source or descendant; here, Messiah springs from Jesse's lineage but also supersedes and grounds it—Christ is both David's son and David's Lord (Matt 22:41-45).
And he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust (καὶ ὁ ἀνιστάμενος ἄρχειν ἐθνῶν, ἐπ' αὐτῷ ἔθνη ἐλπιοῦσιν, kai ho anistamenos archein ethnōn, ep' autō ethnē elpiosin)—Anistamenos (he that rises) carries resurrection overtones: Christ rose to reign. Archein (to reign, rule) indicates sovereign kingship over the nations. Elpiosin (shall hope, trust) shows Gentiles placing saving faith in the Jewish Messiah—the central scandal of the gospel. Isaiah 11 envisions Messiah's reign extending beyond Israel to encompass all nations; Paul sees this fulfilled as Gentiles trust in Christ.