The Branch from Jesse
A shoot from the stump of Jesse would bear fruit, anointed with the Spirit of the LORD.
The Prophecy
Isaiah 11:1-10
~700 BCE
A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit. The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him β the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of might, the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the LORD.
Manuscript Attestation
Great Isaiah Scroll (1QIsaα΅); 4QFlorilegium (4Q174) interprets this messianically; all codices.
Ancient Jewish Interpretation
The Qumran 4QFlorilegium and 4QpIsaiah commentaries explicitly identify the "Branch of David" as the eschatological Messiah. Targum Jonathan applies the passage to the Messiah. The Hebrew word netser ("branch") in verse 1 may be connected to the name Nazareth.
The Fulfillment
Romans 15:12; Matthew 2:23
Isaiah says, "The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; in him the Gentiles will hope." (Romans 15:12)
Narrative Context
Paul quotes Isaiah 11 directly as fulfilled in Jesus. Matthew's connection of "Nazarene" to the Hebrew netser ("branch") reflects the play on words that first-century Jewish readers would have recognized.
The Evidence
The 4QFlorilegium from Qumran is direct manuscript evidence of pre-Christian messianic interpretation of this passage. The document explicitly reads Isaiah 11:1 as a prophecy of the "Branch of David who shall arise at the end of days." The Great Isaiah Scroll confirms the text.