Topical Encyclopedia In biblical literature, the term "root" carries significant metaphorical and theological weight, often symbolizing origin, foundation, and sustenance. The concept of a root is used both literally and figuratively throughout the Scriptures to convey deep spiritual truths and connections.Old Testament Usage In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word for root is "שֹׁרֶשׁ" (shoresh). It appears in various contexts, often to describe the literal roots of plants and trees, as seen in Job 14:8: "Though its roots grow old in the ground and its stump dies in the soil." However, the metaphorical use of "root" is more profound, symbolizing the source or origin of a person or nation. One of the most significant uses of "root" is found in the prophetic literature, particularly in reference to the Davidic line. Isaiah 11:1 prophesies, "Then a shoot will spring up from the stump of Jesse, and a Branch from his roots will bear fruit." This passage is widely interpreted as a messianic prophecy, pointing to the coming of Jesus Christ, who is seen as the fulfillment of the Davidic covenant. New Testament Usage In the New Testament, the Greek word for root is "ῥίζα" (rhiza). The concept of root is used to illustrate spiritual truths and the nature of faith. In the Parable of the Sower, Jesus explains the seed sown on rocky ground: "But since he has no root, he remains for only a season. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away" (Matthew 13:21). Here, the root represents the depth and resilience of one's faith. The Apostle Paul also employs the metaphor of the root in his epistles. In Romans 11:16-18, Paul discusses the relationship between Israel and the Gentiles using the imagery of an olive tree: "If the root is holy, so are the branches. But if some branches were broken off, and you, a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing sap from the root, do not boast over those branches." This passage emphasizes the importance of the root as the source of spiritual nourishment and connection to God's promises. The Root of Jesse The "Root of Jesse" is a messianic title that appears in both the Old and New Testaments. Isaiah 11:10 states, "In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will seek Him, and His place of rest will be glorious." This prophecy is echoed in the New Testament in Revelation 5:5, where Jesus is referred to as the "Root of David," highlighting His fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies and His role as the eternal King. Theological Implications Theologically, the root symbolizes the foundational truths of the Christian faith, the source of spiritual life, and the connection to God's covenant promises. It underscores the importance of being deeply rooted in Christ, as expressed in Colossians 2:7: "rooted and built up in Him, established in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness." In summary, the biblical concept of "root" serves as a powerful metaphor for understanding the origins, sustenance, and growth of faith, as well as the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan through Jesus Christ. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (v. i.) To turn up the earth with the snout, as swine.2. (v. i.) Hence, to seek for favor or advancement by low arts or groveling servility; to fawn servilely. 3. (v. t.) To turn up or to dig out with the snout; as, the swine roots the earth. 4. (n.) The underground portion of a plant, whether a true root or a tuber, a bulb or rootstock, as in the potato, the onion, or the sweet flag. 5. (n.) The descending, and commonly branching, axis of a plant, increasing in length by growth at its extremity only, not divided into joints, leafless and without buds, and having for its offices to fix the plant in the earth, to supply it with moisture and soluble matters, and sometimes to serve as a reservoir of nutriment for future growth. A true root, however, may never reach the ground, but may be attached to a wall, etc., as in the ivy, or may hang loosely in the air, as in some epiphytic orchids. 6. (n.) An edible or esculent root, especially of such plants as produce a single root, as the beet, carrot, etc.; as, the root crop. 7. (n.) That which resembles a root in position or function, esp. as a source of nourishment or support; that from which anything proceeds as if by growth or development; as, the root of a tooth, a nail, a cancer, and the like. 8. (n.) An ancestor or progenitor; and hence, an early race; a stem. 9. (n.) A primitive form of speech; one of the earliest terms employed in language; a word from which other words are formed; a radix, or radical. 10. (n.) The cause or occasion by which anything is brought about; the source. 11. (n.) That factor of a quantity which when multiplied into itself will produce that quantity; thus, 3 is a root of 9, because 3 multiplied into itself produces 9; 3 is the cube root of 27. 12. (n.) The fundamental tone of any chord; the tone from whose harmonics, or overtones, a chord is composed. 13. (n.) The lowest place, position, or part. 14. (n.) The time which to reckon in making calculations. 15. (v. i.) To fix the root; to enter the earth, as roots; to take root and begin to grow. 16. (v. i.) To be firmly fixed; to be established. 17. (v. t.) To plant and fix deeply in the earth, or as in the earth; to implant firmly; hence, to make deep or radical; to establish; -- used chiefly in the participle; as, rooted trees or forests; rooted dislike. 18. (v. t.) To tear up by the root; to eradicate; to extirpate; -- with up, out, or away. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia DAVID, ROOT OFroot (he rhiza Daueid, Revelation 5:5; Revelation 22:16): Root here means stock, family, descendant, hence, "the Root of David" is that which descended from David, not that from which David descended. Jesus Christ in His human nature and family connections was a descendant of David, a member of his family. ROOT root (shoresh; rhiza): Frequently mentioned in the Old Testament and New Testament, but almost always in a figurative sense, e.g. "root of the righteous" (Proverbs 12:3, 12); "root that beareth gall" (Deuteronomy 29:18); "Their root shall be as rottenness" (Isaiah 5:24); "root of bitterness" (Hebrews 12:15). Also of peoples: "they whose root is in Amalek" (Judges 5:14); of Assyria (Ezekiel 31:7); "Ephraim is smitten, their root is dried up" (Hosea 9:16); "Judah shall again take root downward" (2 Kings 19:30; compare Isaiah 27:6; Isaiah 37:31); the root of Jesse (Isaiah 11:10 Romans 15:12); root of David (Revelation 5:5; Revelation 22:16). ROOT OF JESSE (shoresh yishay (Isaiah 11:10); rhiza tou Iessai (Romans 15:12)): The Hebrew and Greek words are practically the same in meaning. "Root" means descendant, branch of the family or stock. The Messianic king was to be of the family of Jesse the father of David. In Romans 15:12 Paul quotes the Septuagint of Isaiah 11:10. Jesus is a branch or descendant of the family of Jesse, as well as of David. ROOT OF DAVID See DAVID, ROOT OF. Greek 4491. rhiza -- a root ... a root. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: rhiza Phonetic Spelling: (hrid'-zah) Short Definition: a root, that which comes from the root Definition ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4491.htm - 6k 4492. rhizoo -- to cause to take root 1610. ekrizoo -- to uproot 4998. sophron -- of sound mind, self-controlled 3474. moros -- dull, stupid, foolish 1388. dolos -- a bait, fig. craft, deceit 1143. dakno -- to bite 2348. thnesko -- to die 3105. mainomai -- to rage, be mad 2300. theaomai -- to behold, look upon Strong's Hebrew 8328. shoresh -- a root... 8327, 8328. shoresh. 8329 . a root. Transliteration: shoresh Phonetic Spelling: (sheh'-resh) Short Definition: root. Word Origin ... /hebrew/8328.htm - 6k 5428. nathash -- to pull or pluck up, root out 6131. aqar -- to pluck or root up 8330. shoresh -- a root 6136a. iqqar -- root, stock 8329. Sheresh -- "root," a man of Manasseh 6136. iqqar -- root, stock 8327. sharash -- to deal with the roots 5423. nathaq -- to pull, draw, or tear away, apart, or off 5255. nasach -- to pull or tear away Library Whether Covetousness is the Root of all Sins? The Poetry of a Root Crop "The Axe is Laid to the Root. " Seed Scattered and Taking Root Love is the Root of all Other Passions. ... Self is the Root, the Tree, and the Branches of all the Evils of ... Humility is the Root of Charity, and Meekness the Fruit of Both. . ... Fragment xxx. "The Axe unto the Root," He Says, Urging us to the ... Love the Root of all Good Things; Cupidity, of all Evil Ones. How the Old Law Would Root Out Anger not Only from the Actions but ... Thesaurus Root (54 Occurrences)... 4. (n.) The underground portion of a plant, whether a true root or a tuber, a bulb or rootstock, as in the potato, the onion, or the sweet flag. ... /r/root.htm - 28k Slayer (23 Occurrences) Alway (26 Occurrences) Kohathite (18 Occurrences) Kin (18 Occurrences) Conspire (18 Occurrences) Stablish (12 Occurrences) Cook (17 Occurrences) Ax (12 Occurrences) Aramean (17 Occurrences) Resources What is the meaning of root of Jesse in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is a root of bitterness? | GotQuestions.org Why is the love of money the root of all kinds of evil? | GotQuestions.org Root: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Root (54 Occurrences)Matthew 3:10 Matthew 13:6 Matthew 13:21 Matthew 13:29 Mark 4:6 Mark 4:17 Luke 3:9 Luke 8:13 Luke 17:6 Romans 11:16 Romans 11:17 Romans 11:18 Romans 15:12 1 Timothy 6:10 Hebrews 12:15 Revelation 5:5 Revelation 22:16 Deuteronomy 29:18 Judges 5:14 1 Kings 14:15 2 Kings 19:30 Job 5:3 Job 14:8 Job 15:29 Job 19:28 Job 28:9 Job 29:19 Job 30:4 Job 31:12 Psalms 52:5 Psalms 80:9 Psalms 80:15 Proverbs 12:3 Proverbs 12:12 Proverbs 15:25 Isaiah 5:24 Isaiah 11:10 Isaiah 14:29 Isaiah 14:30 Isaiah 27:6 Isaiah 37:31 Isaiah 40:24 Isaiah 53:2 Jeremiah 1:10 Jeremiah 12:2 Lamentations 3:15 Lamentations 3:19 Ezekiel 31:7 Hosea 9:16 Hosea 14:5 Amos 2:9 Micah 5:14 Malachi 2:12 Malachi 4:1 Subtopics Related Terms |
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