Isaiah 11 · Verse 1

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:
Isaiah 11:1, King James Version

Isaiah 11:1 in other translations

BSBThen a shoot will spring up from the stump of Jesse, and a Branch from his roots will bear fruit.
WEBA shoot will come out of the stock of Jesse, and a branch out of his roots will bear fruit.
ASVAnd there shall come forth a shoot out of the stock of Jesse, and a branch out of his roots shall bear fruit.
YLTAnd a rod hath come out from the stock of Jesse, And a branch from his roots is fruitful.
DARBYAnd there shall come forth a shoot out of the stock of Jesse, and a branch out of his roots shall be fruitful;
BBEAnd there will come a rod out of the broken tree of Jesse, and a branch out of his roots will give fruit.
WebsterAnd there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots:

What does Isaiah 11:1 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
Is 11:1-16. From the local and temporary national deliverance the prophet passes by the law of suggestion in an easy transition to the end of all prophecy--the everlasting deliverance under Messiah's reign, not merely His first coming, but chiefly His second coming. The language and illustrations are still drawn from the temporary national subject, with which he began, but the glories described pertain to Messiah's reign. Hezekiah cannot, as some think, be the subject; for he was already come, whereas the "stem of Jesse" was yet future ("shall come") (compare Mi 4:11, &c.; 5:1, 2; Jr 23:5, 6; 33:15, 16; Ro 15:12). 1. rod--When the proud "boughs" of "Lebanon" (Is 10:33, 34, the Assyrians) are lopped, and the vast "forests cut down" amidst all this rage, a seemingly humble rod shall come out of Jesse (Messiah), who shall retrieve the injuries done by the Assyrian "rod" to Israel (Is 10:5, 6, 18, 19). stem--literally, "the stump" of a tree cut close by the roots: happily expressing the depressed state of the royal house of David, owing to the hostile storm (Is 10:18, 19), when Messiah should arise from it, to raise it to more than its pristine glory. Lu 2:7 proves this (Is 53:2; compare Job 14:7, 8; see on Is 8:6). Branch--Scion. He is nevertheless also the "root" (Is 11:10; Re 5:5; 22:16. "Root and offspring" combines both, Zec 3:8; 6:12).

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary

Introduction

The Messiah represented as a slender twig shooting up from the root of an old withered stem, which tender plant, so extremely weak in its first appearance, should nevertheless become fruitful and mighty, Isa 11:1-4. Great equity of the Messiah's government, Isa 11:5. Beautiful assemblages of images by which the great peace and happiness of his kingdom are set forth, Isa 11:6-8. The extent of his dominion shall be ultimately that of the whole habitable globe, Isa 11:9. The prophet, borrowing his imagery from the exodus from Egypt, predicts, with great majesty of language, the future restoration of the outcasts of Israel and the dispersed of Judah, (viz., the whole of the twelve tribes of Israel), from their several dispersions, and also that blessed period when both Jews and Gentiles shall assemble under the banner of Jesus, and zealously unite in extending the limits of his kingdom, Isa 11:10-16. The prophet had described the destruction of the Assyrian army under the image of a mighty forest, consisting of flourishing trees growing thick together, and of a great height; of Lebanon itself crowned with lofty cedars, but cut down and laid level with the ground by the axe wielded by the hand of some powerful and illustrious agent. In opposition to this image he represents the great Person who makes the subject of this chapter as a slender twig shooting out from the trunk of an old tree, cut down, lopped to the very root, and decayed; which tender plant, so weak in appearance, should nevertheless become fruitful and prosper. This contrast shows plainly the connection between this and the preceding chapter, which is moreover expressed by the connecting particle; and we have here a remarkable instance of that method so common with the prophets, and particularly with Isaiah, of taking occasion, from the mention of some great temporal deliverance, to launch out into the display of the spiritual deliverance of God's people by the Messiah; for that this prophecy relates to the Messiah we have the express authority of St. Paul, Rom 15:12. 'He joins this paragraph, with respect to the days of the Messiah, with the fidelity that was in the days of Hezekiah." - Kimchi, in Isa 11:1. Thus in the latter part of Isaiah's prophecies the subject of the great redemption, and of the glories of the Messiah's kingdom, arises out of the restoration of Judah by the deliverance from the captivity of Babylon, and is all along connected and intermixed with it.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Isaiah 11:1-9
The peaceful character of Christ's kingdom and subjects. (Is. 11:1-9) The conversion of the Gentiles and Jews. (Is. 11:10-16) Verses 1-9 The Messiah is called a Rod, and a Branch. The words signify a small, tender product; a shoot, such as is easily broken off. He comes forth out of the stem of Jesse; when the royal family was cut down and almost levelled with the ground, it would sprout again. The house of David was brought very low at the time of Christ's birth. The Messiah thus gave early notice that his kingdom was not of this world. But the Holy Spirit, in all his gifts and graces, shall rest and abide upon him; he shall have the fulness of the Godhead dwelling in him, Col. 1:19; 2:9. Many consider that seven gifts of the Holy Spirit are here mentioned. And the doctrine of the influences of the Holy Spirit is here clearly taught. The Messiah would be just and righteous in all his government. His threatening shall be executed by the working of his Spirit according to his word. There shall be great peace and quiet under his government. The gospel changes the nature, and makes those who trampled on the meek of the earth, meek like them, and kind to them. But it shall be more fully shown in the latter days. Also Christ, the great Shepherd, shall take care of his flock, that the nature of troubles, and of death itself, shall be so changed, that they shall not do any real hurt. God's people shall be delivered, not only from evil, but from the fear of it. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? The better we know the God of love, the more shall we be changed into the same likeness, and the better disposed to all who have any likeness to him. This knowledge shall extend as the sea, so far shall it spread. And this blessed power there have been witnesses in every age of Christianity, though its most glorious time, here foretold, is not yet arrived. Meanwhile let us aim that our example and endeavours may help to promote the honour of Christ and his kingdom of peace.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain

Isaiah 11:1 in the original Hebrew

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

וְיָצָ֥אve.ya.Tza'and it will go forthH3318
חֹ֖טֶרCho.tera shootH2415
מִגֵּ֣זַעmi.Ge.za'from [the] rootstock ofH1503
יִשָׁ֑יyi.ShaiJesseH3448
וְנֵ֖צֶרve.Ne.tzerand a branchH5342
מִשָּׁרָשָׁ֥יוmi.sha.ra.Shavfrom roots hisH8328
יִפְרֶֽה\׃yif.Rehit will bear fruitH6509

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Isaiah 11:1

  • Jeremiah 23:5

    Behold, 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.

  • Revelation 22:16

    I 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.

  • Zechariah 6:12

    And 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 5:5

    And 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.

  • Acts 13:22-23

    And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will. Of this man’s seed hath God according to his promise raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus:

  • Jeremiah 33:15

    In 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 53:2

    For 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 3:8

    Hear 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.

  • Isaiah 9:7

    Of 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 15:12

    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.

  • Isaiah 4:2

    In that day shall the branch of the Lord be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the earth shall be excellent and comely for them that are escaped of Israel.

  • Isaiah 11:10

    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: and his rest shall be glorious.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
1 The peaceable kingdom of the Branch out of the root of Jesse.
10 The victorious restoration of Israel, and vocation of the Gentiles.

And there shall.The prophet having described the destruction of the Assyrian army under that of a mighty forest, here takes occasion to represent the Great Person, who makes the subject of this chapter, as a slender twig, shooting out of the trunk of an old tree; which tender twig, though weak in appearance, should become fruitful and prosper.
53:2; Zec 6:12; Re 5:5; 22:16
of Jesse.
10; Ru 4:17; 1Sa 17:58; Mt 1:6-16; Lu 2:23-32; Ac 13:22,23
Ro 15:12
a Branch.
4:2; Jer 23:5; 33:15; Zec 3:8; 6:12

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • 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:

  • Isaiah 11:2

    And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord;

Read all of Isaiah 11

Isaiah 11:1 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Y SALDRÁ una vara del tronco de Isaí, y un vástago retoñará de sus raíces.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Et il sortira un rejeton du tronc d’Isaï, et une branche de ses racines fructifiera;
German
Elberfelder 1871		Und ein Reis wird hervorgehen aus dem Stumpfe Isais, und ein Schößling aus seinen Wurzeln wird Frucht bringen.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Et egredietur virga de radice Jesse, et flos de radice ejus ascendet.