And the surviving remnant of the house of JudahThis phrase refers to the small group of Israelites who remained faithful and survived the Assyrian invasion. Historically, the Assyrian Empire, under King Sennacherib, besieged Jerusalem during the reign of King Hezekiah. The "remnant" is a recurring theme in the Bible, symbolizing hope and God's faithfulness to His covenant people. This concept is seen in other scriptures such as
Isaiah 10:20-22 and
Romans 11:5, where a remnant is preserved by God's grace. The "house of Judah" specifically refers to the southern kingdom, which included Jerusalem, and was distinct from the northern kingdom of Israel.
will again take root below
This imagery of taking root suggests stability, growth, and a return to a state of prosperity and security. In the agricultural context of ancient Israel, roots signify a plant's ability to draw nourishment and sustain life. Spiritually, it implies a return to faithfulness and reliance on God. This phrase echoes the promise of restoration found inJeremiah 24:6, where God assures the people of Judah that He will build them up and not tear them down.
and bear fruit above.
Bearing fruit is a metaphor for productivity and blessing. In the biblical context, fruitfulness often represents the results of living in accordance with God's will, as seen inPsalm 1:3 andJohn 15:5. For the remnant of Judah, this promise indicates not only survival but also a future of prosperity and influence. It points to the Messianic hope, where the ultimate fulfillment is found in Jesus Christ, who is the true vine, and His followers are the branches that bear fruit through Him. This phrase assures the people of Judah that their faithfulness will lead to a flourishing future, both physically and spiritually.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
House of JudahRefers to the southern kingdom of Israel, consisting of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin. This passage speaks to the people of Judah during a time of crisis and invasion by the Assyrian army.
2.
RemnantA recurring theme in the Bible, the remnant refers to a small, faithful group of God's people who survive calamity and remain true to Him. In this context, it is the portion of Judah that survives the Assyrian threat.
3.
Assyrian InvasionThe historical backdrop of this passage is the Assyrian siege of Jerusalem under King Sennacherib, which threatened the existence of Judah.
4.
King HezekiahThe king of Judah during the Assyrian invasion, known for his faithfulness to God and his efforts to reform the nation spiritually.
5.
Prophet IsaiahA major prophet in the Old Testament, Isaiah delivered God's messages to the people of Judah, including promises of deliverance and restoration.
Teaching Points
God's Faithfulness to His PeopleDespite dire circumstances, God promises to preserve a remnant. This assures believers of God's unwavering faithfulness and His ability to sustain us through trials.
Spiritual Growth and FruitfulnessThe imagery of taking root and bearing fruit encourages believers to deepen their relationship with God, ensuring that their lives produce spiritual fruit.
Hope in RestorationThe promise of restoration for Judah serves as a reminder that God can bring renewal and hope even after periods of hardship and judgment.
The Importance of Remaining FaithfulThe concept of a remnant highlights the importance of remaining faithful to God, even when the majority may turn away.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Isaiah 37:31?
2.How can we "take root downward" in our spiritual lives today?
3.What does "bear fruit upward" mean for a Christian's daily walk with God?
4.How does Isaiah 37:31 connect with John 15:5 about bearing fruit?
5.In what ways can our faith community "take root" and grow stronger?
6.How can Isaiah 37:31 inspire perseverance during challenging times in life?
7.What does Isaiah 37:31 mean by "take root below and bear fruit above"?
8.How does Isaiah 37:31 relate to the survival of the remnant of Judah?
9.What historical context surrounds Isaiah 37:31?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Isaiah 37?
11.In Isaiah 37:30-32, how can a devastated Judah produce such an abundant harvest within a single season after the Assyrian siege?
12.Isaiah 36:18-20: How do we reconcile the Rabshakeh's claim that no god has saved any nation from Assyria with the biblical assertion that the Lord ultimately delivered Judah?
13.In Amos 8:2, God says he will spare Israel no longer--how do we reconcile this final judgment with later restoration passages in other prophets?
14.If Ezekiel 7 portrays imminent destruction, how do we align that with later passages in the Bible that describe restoration and continued divine protection?What Does Isaiah 37:31 Mean
And the surviving remnantGod promises that His people will not be wiped out, even when judgment falls.
• The word “remnant” highlights divine preservation (Isaiah 10:20-22;Romans 11:5).
• In the midst of Assyria’s siege, this phrase assured Judah that some would live through the crisis (2 Kings 19:30-31).
• It underscores the Lord’s faithfulness to His covenant with Abraham (Genesis 17:7) and David (2 Samuel 7:16), proving He never abandons His own.
of the house of JudahThe focus narrows to the southern kingdom—Judah—through whom Messiah would come.
• Though Israel’s northern tribes had already fallen (2 Kings 17:6-23), God singles out Judah as the line carrying the promise (Micah 5:2).
• This identifies the remnant as a real, historical people, not a vague idea, emphasizing the literal trustworthiness of Scripture (Jeremiah 33:17-26).
will again take root belowSurvival is not enough; God intends restoration and stability.
• “Take root” speaks of renewed security in the land, reversing the uprooting of exile (Jeremiah 24:6;Amos 9:15).
• Roots draw nourishment—symbolizing spiritual depth and renewed devotion to the Lord (Psalm 1:3;Colossians 2:6-7).
• The adverb “again” stresses that what was lost will be regained; God specializes in fresh starts (Job 14:7-9).
and bear fruit aboveAfter roots come visible results: influence, growth, blessing.
• Fruit implies productivity and testimony to surrounding nations (Isaiah 27:6;John 15:8).
• Judah’s restored witness anticipates the ultimate fruitfulness found in Christ’s kingdom (Revelation 22:2).
• The two-fold picture—roots underground, fruit above—shows that inward faith produces outward impact (Matthew 7:17;Galatians 5:22-23).
summaryIsaiah 37:31 assures God’s people that He preserves a literal remnant, grounds them securely, and causes them to flourish for His glory. In times of threat, the Lord not only keeps His covenant community alive but rebuilds them from the inside out—deep roots leading to abundant fruit, all pointing to His unwavering faithfulness and the future fullness of His kingdom.
(31)
And the remnant that is escaped.--We note the "remnant" of the familiar formula of Isaiah's earlier days. The name of Shear-jashub had not ceased to be an omen of good (
Isaiah 7:3). And that remnant should be as the scion from which should spring in due course the goodly tree of the future (
Isaiah 6:13).
Verse 31. -
The remnant that is escaped (see the comment on ver. 4). Take root downward, and bear fruit upward;
i.e. "spread over the land, and became firmly rooted in it, and flourish as in the former time." We must conceive of the Assyrians having, in their two recent invasions, completely depopulated the country districts. Numbers had, no doubt, been slain; more than two hundred thousand had been carried into captivity; a portion had found refuge in the capital On the withdrawal of the Assyrians, these last "went forth," reoccupied their lands, and rebuilt their towns and villages. The blessing of God was upon them, and in a short time Judaea recovered her ancient vigour, so that, under Josiah, she was able to extend her dominion over almost the whole of the old Israelite territory (
2 Chronicles 34:6, 18).
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
And the survivingהַנִּשְׁאָרָ֖ה(han·niš·’ā·rāh)Article | Verb - Nifal - Participle - feminine singular
Strong's 7604:To swell up, be, redundantremnantפְּלֵיטַ֧ת(pə·lê·ṭaṯ)Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 6413:Deliverance, an escaped portionof the houseבֵּית־(bêṯ-)Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1004:A houseof Judahיְהוּדָ֛ה(yə·hū·ḏāh)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3063:Judah -- 'praised', a son of Jacob, also the southern kingdom, also four Israeliteswill againוְיָ֨סְפָ֜ה(wə·yā·sə·p̄āh)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 3254:To add, augmenttake rootשֹׁ֣רֶשׁ(šō·reš)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 8328:A rootbelowלְמָ֑טָּה(lə·māṭ·ṭāh)Preposition-l | Adverb
Strong's 4295:Downward, below, beneathand bearוְעָשָׂ֥ה(wə·‘ā·śāh)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6213:To do, makefruitפְרִ֖י(p̄ə·rî)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6529:Fruitabove.לְמָֽעְלָה׃(lə·mā·‘ə·lāh)Preposition-l | Adverb | third person feminine singular
Strong's 4605:The upper part, with prefix upward, above, overhead, from the top
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OT Prophets: Isaiah 37:31 The remnant that is escaped (Isa Isi Is) 
