Texts in Conversation
Isaiah describes a future where a descendant of Jesse will become a light to the nations, drawing people to seek guidance and restoration. Sirach echoes this expectation when speaking of the enduring line of David, using the same image of Jesse’s root.
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2500 BCE
1000+ CE
Isaiah 11:10
Hebrew Bible
8 A baby will play over the hole of a snake; over the nest of a serpent an infant will put his hand. 9 They will no longer injure or destroy on my entire royal mountain. For there will be universal submission to the Lord’s sovereignty, just as the waters completely cover the sea. 10 At that time a root from Jesse will stand like a signal flag for the nations. Nations will look to him for guidance, and his residence will be majestic. 11 At that time the Lord will again lift his hand to reclaim the remnant of his people from Assyria, Egypt, Pathros, Cush, Elam, Shinar, Hamath, and the seacoasts. 12 He will lift a signal flag for the nations; he will gather Israel’s dispersed people and assemble Judah’s scattered people from the four corners of the earth.
Date: 740–450 BCE (based on scholarly estimates)
Sirach 47:22
Ben Sira, Ecclesiasticus
Deuterocanon
20 You blemished your honor, and defiled your offspring, to bring wrath upon your children. I was grieved for your folly, 21 because the sovereignty was divided, and a disobedient kingdom ruled out of Ephraim. 22 But the Lord will never forsake his mercy. He won’t destroy any of his works, nor blot out the posterity of his elect. He won’t take away the offspring of him who loved him. He gave a remnant to Jacob, and to David a root from his own family. 23 So Solomon rested with his fathers. Of his offspring, he left behind him Rehoboam, the foolishness of the people, and one who lacked understanding, who made the people revolt by his counsel. Also Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin, and gave a way of sin to Ephraim. 24 Their sins were multiplied exceedingly, until they were removed from their land.
Date: 195–180 BCE (based on scholarly estimates)
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Notes and References
"... The most pertinent element for our study is Romans 15:12, with the citation of Isaiah 11:10: 'Isaiah says, "The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will rise to rule over the nations; in him the Gentiles will hope.' 'Root of Jesse' is a messianic designation for a royal eschatological deliverer, equivalent to 'Root of David' (1QSb 5:26; 4QFlorilegium 1:11; Psalms of Solomon 17:21-46; Sirach 47:22; Revelation 5:5, 22:16). Paul taps into Israel's prophetic script that Israel's kingdom will rise from its humiliating subjugation under foreign powers like Rome, which will be achieved through Mesiah Jesus ..."
Michael F. Bird, An Anomalous Jew: Paul among Jews, Greeks, and Romans (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans, 2016), 251.
* The use of references are not endorsements of their contents. Please read the entirety of the provided reference(s) to understand the author's full intentions regarding the use of these texts.
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