Stem of Jesse

Text and Content

The expression appears in Isaiah 11:1, which the KJV renders, "And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots." Verses 2–5 portray a king on whom the Spirit of the LORD rests and who rules with wisdom and righteousness. Verses 6–9 describe a peace in which the wolf dwells with the lamb. Verse 10 declares, "And 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," indicating that even the Gentile nations will turn to him.

Background

Jesse was a man of Bethlehem and the father of David (1 Samuel 16; Ruth 4:17–22). The Hebrew word geza, translated "stem," denotes the base of a tree left after it has been cut down—that is, a stump.

The immediately preceding passage, Isaiah 10:33–34, speaks of a judgment in which a forest is cut down. Isaiah ministered in the eighth century BC, a period when Assyria posed a serious threat. Why the passage refers to the royal house by the name of "Jesse" rather than "David" is a matter of interpretation. It is commonly understood to mean that even after the Davidic dynasty has declined like a felled tree, a new king will arise from its root. The image also connects with the "stump" (KJV "substance") and the "holy seed" of Isaiah 6:13—that is, with the concept of the remnant.

Significance in the Whole of Scripture

The verse is read as a messianic prophecy affirming that the throne promised in the Davidic covenant will not be cut off. Old Testament passages that use similar imagery include:

• The prophecy of the Prince of Peace in Isaiah 9:1–7
• "A righteous Branch" raised unto David in Jeremiah 23:5
• "The BRANCH" in Zechariah 3:8 and 6:12

In the New Testament, Paul quotes Isaiah 11:10 in Romans 15:12, following the Greek translation known as the Septuagint. He cites the statement that the "root of Jesse" shall reign over the Gentiles and that the Gentiles shall trust in him as grounds for the salvation of the Gentiles through Jesus Christ. Revelation 5:5 and 22:16 call Jesus "the Root of David."

Interpretations and Issues

• Whom it refers to: Christian tradition generally identifies the shoot as Jesus Christ. The Targum, the Jewish Aramaic translation, also interpreted the passage as referring to the messianic king, although Judaism regards its fulfillment as still to come. Some historical-critical scholars take it to refer to an ideal Davidic king expected either in Isaiah's own day or after the exile.
• The number of spirits: In the Hebrew text, verse 2 names six aspects of the Spirit. In the Septuagint and the Latin Vulgate, "piety" (godliness) is added, yielding seven. From this arose the Roman Catholic tradition of the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit. Protestant churches often do not treat this as a separate doctrine.
• The picture of peace: Dispensationalist and premillennial interpreters see verses 6–9 as describing a literal millennial kingdom to be established after the Second Coming. Amillennial interpreters read them as symbolic of Christ's reign or of the new heavens and new earth.
• Later interpretations: In the medieval West, because the Latin words virga ("rod" or "branch") and virgo ("virgin") sound alike, the branch was sometimes interpreted as Mary and its flower as Christ. Depictions of the "Tree of Jesse," which portray the genealogy from Jesse to Christ in the form of a tree, also became widespread during this period. Some interpreters further connect "a Nazarene" in Matthew 2:23 with the Hebrew word netzer, meaning "branch." These interpretations are not stated directly in the text, nor are they settled views.

In the Korean Church

In churches that follow the liturgical calendar, Isaiah 11:1–10 is frequently read as an Advent text. It is also the Old Testament reading for the Second Sunday of Advent in Year A of the Revised Common Lectionary. The passage is often used as well in sermons and readings on messianic prophecy in the weeks leading up to Christmas.