Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical literature, the term "shoots" often symbolizes new growth, hope, and the fulfillment of God's promises. The imagery of shoots is frequently used in the Bible to convey themes of renewal, restoration, and the emergence of life from what was once barren or desolate.
Old Testament ReferencesOne of the most significant uses of the term "shoot" is found in the prophetic literature of the Old Testament. In
Isaiah 11:1, the prophet speaks of a future hope for Israel: "Then a shoot will spring up from the stump of Jesse, and a Branch from his roots will bear fruit." This passage is widely interpreted as a messianic prophecy, foretelling the coming of Jesus Christ, who would emerge from the lineage of David, the son of Jesse. The imagery of a shoot springing from a stump suggests the idea of life and vitality emerging from what appears to be dead or cut down, symbolizing the hope of redemption and the continuation of God's covenant with His people.
Similarly, in
Jeremiah 23:5, the prophet declares, "Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and He will reign wisely as king and will administer justice and righteousness in the land." Here, the "righteous Branch" is again a reference to the Messiah, emphasizing the justice and righteousness that will characterize His reign.
New Testament FulfillmentThe New Testament writers see the fulfillment of these Old Testament prophecies in the person of Jesus Christ. The imagery of the shoot and branch is understood as a metaphor for Christ's humble beginnings and His role as the source of spiritual life and renewal for all who believe in Him. In
John 15:5, Jesus Himself uses similar imagery, saying, "I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in Me, and I in him, will bear much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing." This passage underscores the necessity of remaining connected to Christ, the true source of life and growth.
Symbolism and ThemesThe symbolism of shoots in the Bible is rich with meaning. It conveys the idea of hope and new beginnings, often in the context of God's faithfulness to His promises. The shoot represents the potential for growth and the assurance of God's ongoing work in the world, even when circumstances seem bleak.
In a broader sense, the imagery of shoots can also be applied to the believer's life. Just as a shoot grows and matures, so too are Christians called to grow in their faith and bear fruit in their spiritual lives. This growth is made possible through a relationship with Christ, who nourishes and sustains His followers.
ConclusionThe biblical concept of shoots serves as a powerful reminder of God's redemptive plan and the hope that is found in Jesus Christ. Through the imagery of new growth, the Bible communicates the assurance of God's promises and the transformative power of His grace.
Strong's Hebrew
3127. yoneqeth -- a young shoot, twig... 3126, 3127. yoneqeth. 3128 . a young shoot, twig. Transliteration: yoneqeth
Phonetic Spelling: (yo-neh'-keth) Short Definition:
shoots. Word Origin fem.
...909. badad -- to be separate, isolated
... 908, 909. badad. 910 . to be separate, isolated. Transliteration: badad Phonetic
Spelling: (baw-dad') Short Definition:shoots. Word Origin a prim....
7973. shelach -- a missile, weapon, sprout
... Word Origin from shalach Definition a missile, weapon, sprout NASB Word Usage
defenses (1), Sheol (1),shoots (1), weapon (3), weapons (1)....
5125. nun -- to propagate, increase
... be continued. A primitive root; to resprout, ie Propagate byshoots; figuratively,
to be perpetual -- be continued. 5124, 5125. nun. 5126 . Strong's Numbers
Library
But that You May not Suppose this to be a Novel Doctrine Peculiar...
... root have waxed old in the earth, and the stock thereof be dead in the dust, yet
through the scent of water it will flourish again, and put forthshoots as a...
But, Says Some One, "Are These Things to be Understood of the Lord...
... alien stock. Rightly, therefore, was he called "a wild-vine," because he
in nowise sprung from theshoots of the vine of Israel. And...
Dilemma and Deliverance
... of man has reproved me to my face and cast me from his presence, and he will be
gracious to me no more." Another season when Satan usuallyshoots this arrow is...
He Thus Shows the Oneness of the Eternal Son with the Father the...
... of wine, a change to which the rays of the sun contribute in some degree, which
by their warmth draw out the moisture from the depth to theshoots, and by a...
Fragment iv.
... come in which vines shall grow, having each ten thousand branches, and in each branch
ten thousand twigs, and in each true twig ten thousandshoots, and in...
The Cleansing
... No; it is the cutting off of the longshoots of the previous year, the removal of
something that comes from within, that has been produced by the life of the...
Abide
... The graftshoots its little roots and fibers down into the stem, and the stem grows
up into the graft, and what has been called the structural union is effected...
Description of the Different Heretical Monsters which Spring from...
... Description of the different heretical monsters which spring from one another. For
theseshoots of an unnatural seed are no new thing in the churches....
The Work of Regeneration.
... It is true the wild trunk vigorously resists the reformation of its nature by its
wildshoots below the graft, and if successful its wild nature will forcibly...
Malachy's Pity for his Deceased Sister. He Restores the Monastery...
... In fine, to such an extent did itsshoots fill Ireland and Scotland[291] that those
verses of David seem to have sung beforehand especially of these times...
Thesaurus
Shoots (32 Occurrences)...Shoots (32 Occurrences). Matthew 13:26 But when the blade
shoots up and the grain
is formed, then appears the darnel also.
... His
shoots go forth over his garden.
...Thin (39 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 17:6 And it springeth up, and becometh a spreading vine, humble of stature,
To turn its thinshoots toward itself, And its roots are under it, And it...
Shoot (51 Occurrences)
... 6. (vi) To push or thrust forward; to project; to protrude; -- often with out; as,
a plantshoots out a bud. 7. (vi) To plane straight; to fit by planing....
Shooting (13 Occurrences)
... 1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Shoot. 2. (n.) The act of one who, or that which,shoots;
as, the shooting of an archery club; the shooting of rays of light....
Jaazer (12 Occurrences)
... of Sibmah; the lords of the nations have broken down its choice plants: they reached
unto Jaazer, they wandered through the wilderness; itsshoots stretched out...
Park (2 Occurrences)
... 2:5); "Asaph the keeper of the king's forest," the Revised Version margin "park"
(Nehemiah 2:8). The same word occurs in Songs 4:13, "Thyshoots are an orchard...
Branchbough
... The tender branch thereof will not cease" (Job 14:7). Used figuratively of Israel,
Psalm 80:11 (the Revised Version (British and American) "shoots"); Ezekiel 17...
Sprout (25 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vt) To shoot, as the seed of a plant; to germinate;
to push out newshoots; hence, to grow likeshoots of plants....
Branches (103 Occurrences)
... (BBE DBY RSV NIV). Psalms 80:11 It sent out its branches to the sea, Itsshoots
to the River.... Itsshoots were spread abroad. They passed over the sea....
Quickly (254 Occurrences)
... (BBE NIV). Mark 4:5 Some falls on the rocky ground where it finds but little earth,
and itshoots up quickly because it has no depth of soil; (WEY NIV)....
Resources
Are Israel and the church the same thing? Does God still have a plan for Israel? | GotQuestions.orgWhat can we learn from the tribe of Joseph? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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