Why is any of this important?
Why do we need to focus on these things?
Simply because we have grown up with a western based Christianity with a primarily Greek mindset. We focus more on the Renewed Covenant /New Testament and neglect the Old where our true roots are to be found, beyond the Greco/roman church doctrines and dogmas. These, at best, have forgotten, or at worst ignore and even deny the essential roots of the faith in a Messianic Savior. This Messianic Savior who was from the tribe of Israel and whose ancestors trace back to Adam through Jacob, Isaac, Abraham, Moses, et al.
We are reminded to include the whole of God’s Word, not just the bits we like or make us feel good.
The particulars of God’s Word are of utmost importance, even the very words (2 Timothy 2:15), but we must study to understand the words in their context and in light of the whole counsel of God: “For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose of God” (Acts 20:27).
Everything ultimately points to Jesus/Yeshua and to see Him in all the details of all the scriptures is the wonder of His Living Word. And it should bring us not only delight and great joy; but serve to support the faith and trust in the God whose design is perfect in every aspect of His creation.
The One who took the time to put it in a form that we can read, see and comprehend the miracle that we are and to choose the unsurpassed and incomparable offer of forgiveness/redemption/salvation; which He has made to those called according to His purpose.
The reason we are to study to show ourselves approved, is that by so doing, we come to know Him and the power of His resurrection; as Paul said in Phil.3:10.
These posts, hopefully, are an aid for those with limited time and resources, to be able to enjoy the revealing that Daniel spoke of in the future days. These are those in which we are privileged to be alive! That the prophets desired to see. 1Peter 1:12
We know the familiar stories and yet we still see through a glass darkly, however as we dig together, He continually reveals more of Himself by Ruach HaKodesh to those whose desires are truly toward Him.
חֹטֵר
choter
Phonetic Spelling: (kho’-ter)
Definition: branch or twig, a rod
Choter is a Hebrew word for branch, rod, offshoot or twig and here in 11:1 Isaiah uses it prophetically.
Any interpretation of prophecy by its very nature is both mysterious and miraculous, because the very boundaries of time and eternity were crossed in that moment when our Heavenly Father told us the future before it was ever lived; and realizing this can leave us with the feeling of having touched eternity.
Choter or sometimes spelled Hoter; it is pronounced Koter and the letters CH sound hard like a K, and it’s only found 2 x in this form in scripture. The word choter/hoter, meaning branch or twig. We can see that the literal meaning leads to a more metaphorical one.
Confusion and misunderstanding come in translations from the original language because more than twenty different Hebrew and Greek words are used to connote this growth; they have been translated variously as a branch, shoot, sprout, tendril, or twig; and include Natser, Netzer, semah, sheresh, Anaph branch, to name a few.
ענף aneph
ענף anaph
נצר H5342 Netser
There are 11 verses with the branch as a type and 118 occurrences in 14 translations.
Also the Hebrew word for Staff is matteh (masculine), and can be pronounced either mat-teh or mat-tah. It is defined as a branch, tribe, rod, staff, or standard (4294); as in Aarons staff which budded!
For this post we will look specifically at Hoter/Choter and two other Hebrew words which are also translated branch. Netser refers to young branches or sprouts.
The imagery of stumps, roots, shoots, and branches is Messianic and reappears throughout the prophets, especially in Isaiah and Jeremiah.
Tsemakh is a noun that comes from the Hebrew verb for sprouting or shooting.
Tsemakh
The verb is often used in connection with these messianic names and links with other names for example in Jer. 23:5-6; 33:15-16; Zech. 3:8.
Netser Phonetic Spelling: nay’-tser
נֵצֶר
Strongs #: 5342
Bible reference: Isa. 11:1
A shoot [khoter] will come up from the stump of Jesse;
from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.
Strong’s Concordance number: 6780
Bible references: Zech. 3:8; 6:12
Listen, High Priest Joshua, you and your associates seated before you, who are men symbolic of things to come: I am going to bring my servant, the Branch.
Two similar prophetic names of Jesus/Yeshua, are the Branch of the Lord and the Righteous Branch -Tsemakh tsedaqah. Zechariah connected the messianic term with the role of the servant of the Lord.
The two Hebrew words for Branch are obviously interchanged. One is tsemach (transliterated zemach), and used in all the verses for branch except the major messianic link in Isaiah 11:1 and 2 others, 1 in Isaiah and 1 in Daniel; where natser, (transliterated Nazer) is found. Jesus/Yeshua is called this latter word literally. The hometown of Jesus/Yeshua is Nazareth (Fem. plural of Nazer is Nazeroth).
We can understand further meaning in prophesy from the literal meaning of the actual text in the Hebrew language, that which defies the rules of normal translation. These instances are usually associated with an ironic play on words.
This is the use of double meaning/double entendre; or a similarity in sound and meaning, that continues the idea in the context of a passage as the form of the word may continue to be used in the passage to carry along what is being spoken about.
Even though the subtlety of the use of play on words is lost in translation it should not be thought of as useless decoration. It is a part of the inspired thought processes and in at least one case, it is a vehicle of miraculous revelation.
Branch of the Lord.
Note For New Readers:
The point of this post is not to focus on which word, or the variations of how its spelled, and which is correct; but is rather for the meaning and application to our lives as we follow Jesus our Messiah in the WAY; which is the real aim and goal of mmm.
Just reading about a subject will not do much good if we don’t think on its application to us personally and then prayerfully apply that revealed knowledge to our life and ministry.
The Words of scripture are living and alive and need to be living and alive in us if we are to grow and mature and flower and bear fruit.
All these metaphors, allegories and parables are more than stories and information, they are the meat of the Word that feeds us.
Milk and Meat.
A perfect metaphor for the degrees of maturity required to partake of spiritual food analogous to that required for physical food. It is important that we know where to begin with the milk of God’s word, and that we recognized the necessity for growth in understanding the milk so that we can go on to understand the meat.
1Cor. 3:2
As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ.
Eph 4:13-15
In Isaiah 11:1 both the words
Choter חטֶר
and
Natser נצר
are together in the same verse.
Natser/Netzer is another Hebrew word for branch.
There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, And a Branch shall grow out of his roots.
Significantly it is in context with a prophetic declaration of One Who will come in the future that will be known as a Branch and will also ‘function’ as a Branch.
From Isaiah 11:1 There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, And a Branch shall grow out of his Roots.
חטֶר
One definition of this word is: of any division extending like a branch; any arm or part connected with the main body of thing;
Isaiah’s use of the Hebrew word nazer or branch and of nazeroth which is obviously identical with Nazareth in form;(simply remove the vowels). Isaiah uses other related forms of the same word which have meaning when seeing them in their connection to Nazarene fulfillment of that which was spoken by the prophets.
It was not uncommon for the prophets to depict the Messiah as a new shoot or branch growing from David’s stock, even though that tree would be cutoff. Isaiah proclaims that a shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse.
Messiah came into the world as a child, a baby, it could be said from the genealogy recorded in Matthew, He was a tiny shoot from an old sawed-off stump. God brings amazing new things out of old stumps!!!
Jesus/Yeshua fulfilled the prophecies about the branch by springing up from David and the tribe of Judah to become the Priest-king of the Kingdom of God.
Real Facts that help us understand/digest the Scriptures: Indigenous to Israel, there is a tree that is practically indestructible even when chopped and cut down, new trees grow from the shoots that sprout from the stump, the base and root system. Even when it is burned, regrowth quickly starts from the roots and brings forth new branches.
This is the olive tree and it has a complex root system that is particularly strong and symbolizes a strong grip on the ground. These roots can find their way through cracks in rocks as they search for deep sources of water.
In Israel, olive trees flower in the spring when temps reach 70 degrees F. and will not flower before 5 years of age.
In all these descriptions note the details that bear reflection upon the characteristics that should be in the life of a disciple!
The olive tree is another one most frequently mentioned in the Bible. Scripture writers used olive tree imagery to describe Jesus/Yeshuas’ roots in the tribe of Judah and the relationship of Jews and Gentiles. Jesus/Yeshua also uses the analogy of the relationship of the Grapevine to the branches, to describe His relationship with His disciples:
“I am the vine; you are the branches” John 5:15.
The branches derive their very existence and ability to produce fruit from the vine. Detached, the branches cease to live or produce. Likewise, apart from Jesus/Yeshua, an individual does not have either spiritual life or fruit.
When an olive tree is very old;
(often reaching ages of hundreds and some even 1,000’s of years growth;) and having reached its maximum yield, It is common for farmers to cut it down to improve its future growth.
Before long, new shoots emerge from the old stump, and the tree begins once again to produce olives.
This aspect of the olive tree provides an image of Isaiah’s prophecy,
‘A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from His roots a Branch will bear fruit’ (Isa. 11:1).
As a descendant of David, Jesus//Yeshua was the shoot from the stump of Jesse (David’s father).
The word has a great variety of possible translations and it is linked to Nazarene, Nazarenes, or Nazareth and is translated: keep, keeping, kept, watchman, watchers, besieged, preserve, preserver, subtle, hidden things, monuments, and BRANCH.
In most scriptures it’s translated as: keep, in the sense of guarding and keeping something safe.
It is translated three times as branch in Isaiah and one time in Daniel.
When Isaiah uses the word it must at least raise a curious interest for the believer. Due to the possibility of play on words or double meaning in contexts that are obviously messianic: it is an amazing reference to Jesus/Yeshua.
It is certain that they point to Jesus/Yeshua as the Messiah because of His connection with Nazareth and because Here also was a virgin named Miriam/Mary.
In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin‘s name was Mary. (Lk. 1:26-27)
He is called the Nazarene in Matthew 2:23. And He came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.
Orthodox Jews will not mention Jesus/Yeshuas name and they certainly will not call Him Christ /Messiah since calling Him Christ/Messiah, would be a confession of what they do not yet believe.
He is most often referred to by Orthodox Jewish scholars as The Nazarene. In Hebrew. Notsri;
נוצרי
There is apparently no word in the modern Hebrew language corresponding to the word Christian; so Christians are referred to as: the Nazarenes or Notsriym,
The Nazarene literally means:
the one who is the branch!
Consequently His name is The Branch, literally fulfilling this prophecy and amazingly so called, even by those who believe in Him the least.
Israel tour guides have been known to lead tourists to stand next to an ancient Olive Tree.
Then they point to the bottom of the tree, where new shoots come up from the ground, and say for example:
This town is called Nazareth and the root of that word is netzer. These shoots coming up out of the ground are called netzers.
Obviously Jewish tour guides don’t recognize the significance of this word however, However, it’s clear to those who know Jesus/Yeshua as Messiah.
Nazareth today, above and an old picture below.
Here in the town where some of the people from the line of David had resettled after exile, is also where Jesus/Yeshua grew up, the prophesied (Is. 11:1) shoot
The English word for netzer emerged from the root of Jesse (David’s father).
Here the Root of Jesse is written in Hebrew, Shoresh Yishai.
Jesus/Yeshuas own words in His prayer in John 17:
“That all of them may be ONE, Father…”
is foundational to understanding the purpose of Netzer.
The warning words of the Prophets had been realized, the tree had been felled and all hope had been dashed, and the kingdom that once was had been broken in two. God’s promise to David (son of Jesse), of an heir who would reign forever, had apparently failed.
Or had it?
What do we SEE?
Connection Link to previous post below:
Then a shoot will grow from the stump of Jesse,
and a branch from his roots will bear fruit.
The tree was the kingdom of Israel, which had been divided into two, Israel and Judah, after Solomon departed the scene. Israel, the northern kingdom, was about to be carried off into captivity by Assyria. That was the prophecy of earlier chapters. However, a remnant of Israel would return from exile, but only a remnant, and would turn to the LORD in faith.
Then Isaiah spoke of an “anointing” that would lift the burden of the oppressor off their shoulders and would completely destroy the yoke from off their neck; Isaiah 10:27. The power of the enemy would be broken. And then, a shoot would grow from the stump of Jesse.
A remnant and a shoot, it seems so little, so small and yet, that is so often how God does His work. Indeed, in Zechariah 4:10, He says, Do not despise these small beginnings.
As the Old Testament frequently notes; e.g. in Jer. 11:16, Hosea 14:6, the olive tree is beautiful.
The faithful followers of God/Jesus/Yeshua, are compared to vigorous olive trees, and their children are said to be like the shoots that appear at the tree’s roots, guaranteeing its survival and future generations.
In Rom. 11:11-24, the New Testament uses olive trees to help illustrate the plan of salvation and Paul describes ‘Christians’ as either natural olive branches, those of Hebrew/Israeli background, or olive branches that have been grafted onto Jesus/Yeshua, those who are heathen/Goyim/Gentiles.
As branches grafted into Jesus/Yeshua, ‘Christians’ will only bear fruit if we are attached to and have a personal relationship with Him and are walking in His WAY.
In the same chapter Paul draws attention to grafting a branch into a stock. It was usual for a farmer to take a wild root or stock and graft into it a cultivated scion.
That was not the case with Israel, the cultivated olive tree; the branches broken off were replaced by wild olive shoots, in other words, Gentile believers. When the Deliverer from Zion comes, however, it will be easy for Hm to restore Israel to its rightful position (vs. 25-27).
The olive tree provides an excellent lesson for non Jewish disciples.
Because Jesus/Yeshua was rejected as Messiah, God cut many Jewish branches down, however,
He did not uproot the tree.
The shoot of Jesus/Yeshua and the branches of His Gentile followers grew from a Jewish stump. As His followers/disciples, we are branches growing from Jewish roots.
The picture of the olive tree is a constant reminder that Jesus/Yeshua is our source of life; our branch springs from Jewish roots. The beautiful olive tree reminds us of God’s eternal plan of salvation and His expectation that all His branches will bear abundant fruit.
Branch is capitalized six times in the Old Testament inferring the understanding of a title name. The Hebrew word used in five of them, semah, simply means sprout, growth, or branch.
The remaining occurrence has the word hoter, meaning: branch or twig…..
As usual the post ‘grew’ in length while assembling!
Both the conclusion and paleo pictograph meaning coming in part 2.
Shalom shalom mishpachah! You are loved and appreciated and prayed for daily.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read the posts. If they have been a blessing if you haven’t already, please like, share and subscribe, it all helps to freely spread the Gospel to the uttermost parts of the earth and reaches others with His Truths.
It’s all about Life and Relationship, NOT Religion.
You are greatly loved and precious in His sight.
NOT SURE?
YOU CAN BE..
SAY THE FOLLOWING FROM YOUR HEART RIGHT NOW…
Heavenly Father I come to you in the Name of Jesus/Yeshua asking for forgiveness of my sins for which I am truly sorry. I repent of them all and turn away from my past.
I believe with my heart and confess with my mouth that Jesus/Yeshua is your Son and that He died on the cross at calvary to pay the price for my sin, so that I might be forgiven and have eternal life in the kingdom of Heaven. Father I believe that Jesus/Yeshua rose from the dead and I ask you to come into my life right now and be my personal Savior and Lord and I will worship you all the days of my life. Because your word is truth I say that I am now forgiven and born again and by faith I am washed clean with the blood of Jesus/Yeshua. Thank you that you have accepted me into your family in Jesus’/Yeshua’s name. Amen.
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