Christmas · The First Sunday after Christmas
Isaiah 11:1-5
The Branch From Jesse
December 28, 2025
Overview & Insights
“There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit.” (Isaiah 11:1)
As 7:1–8:10 comprised two parallel sequences, so does 10:5–11:16. The immediately preceding section has come to a worrying end, but there now follows an unexpectedly encouraging reversal. Yahweh has been using Assyria to punish Judah, but Assyria’s own woe, or moment of punishment, is coming—as is Judah’s moment of restoration, the restoring of a remnant.
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Commentary
Isaiah 11 - The Reign of the Righteous Branch Enduring Word · David Guzik
David Guzik's verse-by-verse notes on the shoot from Jesse's stump and the Spirit-anointed King.
Isaiah 11:1-10 Commentary Center for Excellence in Preaching
Reformed exposition of the branch of Jesse and the gifts of the Spirit (covers the one-year 11:1-5).
Isaiah 11 Commentary Precept Austin
Evangelical verse-level commentary drawing together many sources on the messianic King.
Isaiah 11:1 Commentaries BibleHub
Classic commentators on the rod from the stem of Jesse and the Branch that bears fruit.
Background & Word Study
Isaiah Enter the Bible
Luther Seminary introduction to Isaiah's historical setting and prophetic themes.
Book of Isaiah Overview (Part 1: Chapters 1-39) BibleProject
Animated overview of Isaiah 1-39, the section that holds the branch-of-Jesse prophecy.
Isaiah 11:1 Interlinear (Hebrew) BibleHub
Hebrew word-by-word text for study of choter (shoot) and netser (branch).
Isaiah 11 (Hebrew and English) Sefaria
Parallel Hebrew and English with Jewish commentary links for the messianic vision.
The Church Fathers
Questions preachers ask
What is the shoot from the stump of Jesse?
From the cut-down line of David a new King will spring, resting on the Spirit of the Lord, judging the poor with righteousness, in whose reign the wolf lies down with the lamb.
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