BRANCH (branch), a-meer', sum mit; had, branch).
(1) As trees, in Scripture, denote great men and princes, so branches, boughs, sprouts or plants denote their offspring. In conformity with this way of speaking, Christ, in respect of his human nature, is styled a rod from the stem of Jesse, and a branch out of his roots (Is. xi:t), that is,a prince arising from the family of David.
(2) This symbol was also in use among the ancient poets (Sophoctes, Electra, iv Aft; Homer, /had, ii :47, t70. 211, 252, 3.1(); 01yRIP., ii :6, etc.). 'And co even in our English tongue (remarks Wemyss). the word which is origi nally Saxon, and denotes a plant, is used to the same purpose, especially by Fox, the martyrolo gist, who calls King Edward VI an imp of great hope, and by Thomas Cromwell, Earl of Essex, in his dying speech, who has the same expression concerning the same prince.
(3) A branch is the symbol of kings descended from royal ancestors, as branches from the root (Ezek. xvii :3, to; Dan. xi:7). As only a vigor
ous tree can send forth vigorous branches, a branch is used as a general symbol of prosperity (Job viii:16). Jehoiachim is called the highest branch of the cedar, as being a king. (Ezek. xvii :3).
(4) From these explanations it is easy to see how a branch becomes the symbol of the Messiah, when referring to the prosperity of his kingdom ( Is. xi :1 ; iv :2 ; Jer. xxiii :5 ; Zech. iii :8 ; vi and elsewhere).
(5) Branch is also used as the symbol of idola trous worship (Ezek. viii :t7), probably in allu sion to the general custom of carrying branches as a sign of honor.
(6) An abominable branch (Is. xiv :19) means a withered branch or a useless sucker shooting from the root. A better rendering would be "an offensive branch ;" i. e., a useless one.