Branch
Branch [1]
As trees, in Scripture, denote great men and princes, so branches, boughs, sprouts, or plants denote their offspring. In conformity with this way of speaking, Christ, in respect of His human nature, is styled a rod from the stem of Jesse, and a branch out of His roots ( Isaiah 11:1) that is, a prince arising from the family of David.
A branch is the symbol of kings descended from royal ancestors, as branches from the root ( Ezekiel 17:3; Ezekiel 17:10; Daniel 11:7). As only a vigorous tree can send forth vigorous branches, a branch is used as a general symbol of prosperity ( Job 8:16). From these explanations it is easy to see how a branch becomes the symbol of the Messiah ( Isaiah 11:1; Isaiah 4:2; Jeremiah 23:15; Zechariah 3:8; Zechariah 6:12; and elsewhere). Branch is also used as the symbol of idolatrous worship ( Ezekiel 8:17), probably in allusion to the general custom of carrying branches as a sign of honor. An abominable branch ( Isaiah 14:19) means a tree on which a malefactor has been hanged. In Ezekiel 17:3 Jehoiachim is called the highest branch of the cedar, as being a king.
