The Righteous Reign of the Branch

Isa. 11:1 And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:

The rise of God’s glorious empire

The Assyrian Empire would fall (Isa. 10:5-34), but another empire would arise. This section about God’s empire (11:1-12:6) includes a description of the Messiah, the kingdom itself, and the remnant who will inhabit the kingdom. Besides contrasting this kingdom with the Assyrian kingdom, Isaiah also contrasted it with the sinful actions of Israel in his day.

The 14th prophecy in Isaiah (Isaiah 11:1-12:6; 11:1-2 fulfilled; Isaiah 11:3-12:6 unfulfilled). Next, Isa. 13:1.

And there shall come forth...

יצא

yâtsâ'

Definition:

1) to go out, come out, exit, go forth

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to go or come out or forth, depart

1a2) to go forth (to a place)

1a3) to go forward, proceed to (to or toward something)

1a4) to come or go forth (with purpose or for result)

1a5) to come out of

1b) (Hiphil)

1b1) to cause to go or come out, bring out, lead out

1b2) to bring out of

1b3) to lead out

1b4) to deliver

1c) (Hophal) to be brought out or forth

Part of Speech: verb

a rod (Messiah)...

חטר

chôṭêr

Definition:

1) branch, twig, rod

Part of Speech: noun masculine

out of the stem...

מנּי / מנּי / מן

min / minnı̂y / minnêy

Definition:

1) from, out of, on account of, off, on the side of, since, above, than, so that not, more than (preposition)

1a) from (expressing separation), off, on the side of

1b) out of

1b1) (with verbs of proceeding, removing, expelling)

1b2) (of material from which something is made)

1b3) (of source or origin)

1c) out of, some of, from (partitively)

1d) from, since, after (of time)

1e) than, more than (in comparison)

1f) from...even to, both...and, either...or

1g) than, more than, too much for (in comparisons)

1h) from, on account of, through, because (with infinitive)

2) that (conjunction)

Part of Speech: see above in Definition

גּזע

geza‛

Definition:

1) stem, trunk, stock (of trees)

Part of Speech: noun masculine

The Lord would cut down the forests and the mighty trees (Isa. 10:33-34), that is, foreign soldiers and leaders, but God’s kingdom will arise by a Shoot coming up from the stump of Jesse, David’s father (cf. Rev. 22:16).

of Jesse,...

אישׁי / ישׁי

yishay / 'ı̂yshay

Definition:

Jesse = “I possess”

1) son of Boaz and the father of king David

Part of Speech: noun proper masculine

and a branch...

נצר

nêtser

Definition:

1) sprout, shoot, branch (always figuratively)

Part of Speech: noun masculine

Isaiah undoubtedly was thinking of God’s promise to David (2Sam. 7:16) that a Descendant of David will rule over his kingdom (cf. Isa. 9:7) forever. This Branch, the Messiah (cf. Jer. 23:5), will bear fruit, that is, prosper and benefit others.

shall grow...

פּרה

pârâh

Definition:

1) to bear fruit, be fruitful, branch off

1a) (Qal) to bear fruit, be fruitful

1b) (Hiphil)

1b1) to cause to bear fruit

1b2) to make fruitful

1b3) to show fruitfulness, bear fruit

Part of Speech: verb

(He is the Root; cf. Isa. 11:10.) This Hebrew word for branch (nēṣer) differs from the word used for branch in Isa. 4:2 (ṣemaḥ). However, the concept is the same. (Yônēq) in Isa. 53:2 for “tender shoot” is still another word.) He will come directly from the line of David (cf. Mat. 1:1) and will fulfill God’s promises in the Davidic Covenant.

out of his roots:...

שׁרשׁ

sheresh

Definition:

1) root

1a) root (literal)

1b) root (of people involving firmness or permanence) (figuratively)

1c) root, bottom (as lowest stratum) (figuratively)

Part of Speech: noun masculine