Bible Strands
Romans 15:12
And once more, Isaiah says: “The Root of Jesse will appear, One who will arise to rule over the Gentiles; in Him the Gentiles will put their hope.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Paul writes to the Roman church, a mixed body of Jews and Gentiles, citing a chain of Old Testament texts (15:9–12) to demonstrate that Gentile inclusion was always part of God's plan. This verse is the final quotation in that chain, immediately preceding his benediction in v. 13.
The words — ῥίζα (rhiza, "root") is notable: Isaiah 11:1 speaks of a shoot from Jesse's stump, but here the root itself is the one who appears and rules. The image shifts from a small offshoot to the foundational source, underscoring the Messiah's authority.
The thread — The direct source is Isaiah 11:10; Matthew 12:21 quotes the same passage in the context of Jesus' public ministry. Isaiah 11:1 provides the background image of the shoot from Jesse's stump.
Why it lands — The verse places Gentile hope in a figure who is both rooted in Israel's lineage and destined to rule over the nations, asking the reader to see their inclusion as the fulfillment of a promise, not an addition to it.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
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.
Cross-references
- Isaiah 11:10 On 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.
- Isaiah 11:1 Then a shoot will spring up from the stump of Jesse, and a Branch from his roots will bear fruit.
- Matthew 12:21 In His name the nations will put their hope.”
- Revelation 22:16 “I, Jesus, have sent My angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the bright Morning Star.”
- Revelation 5:5 Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed to open the scroll and its seven seals.”
- Micah 4:1 In the last days the mountain of the house of the LORD will be established as the chief of the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and the peoples will stream to it.
- 1 Corinthians 15:19 If our hope in Christ is for this life alone, we are to be pitied more than all men.
- Genesis 49:10 The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the staff from between his feet, until Shiloh comes and the allegiance of the nations is his.
- Psalms 2:4 The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord taunts them.
- Jeremiah 17:5 This is what the LORD says: “Cursed is the man who trusts in mankind, who makes mere flesh his strength and turns his heart from the LORD.