from an unused root meaning to cut down (trees); the trunk or stump of atree (as felled or as planted); stem, stock.
Transliteration:gezaʻ
Pronunciation:geh'-zah
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word gezaʻ (`{{H1503}}`) is derived from an unused root meaning "to cut down" trees. Consequently, gezaʻ refers to the resultant "trunk" or "stump" of a tree, whether it has been felled or is simply the base from which new growth emerges. Its core meaning centers on the remaining, foundational part of a tree after its upper portions have been removed. Semantically, it encompasses both the physical remnant of something diminished and, crucially, the potential for new life or lineage to sprout from that remaining base. It implies a state of reduction or judgment, yet simultaneously holds the promise of continuation or renewal.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word gezaʻ appears a limited number of times in the Hebrew Bible, primarily in poetic and prophetic literature, where its imagery carries significant weight:
* **[[Job 14:8]]**: "Though its root may grow old in the earth, and its stump (גֶּזַע) die in the ground, at the scent of water it will bud and put forth branches like a young plant." Here, gezaʻ illustrates the remarkable resilience of nature, serving as a metaphor for the potential for renewal and life even from what appears to be dead and decaying. This passage speaks to the possibility of restoration from a state of barrenness.
* **[[Isaiah 6:13]]**: "And though a tenth remain in it, it will again be laid waste. But as a terebinth or an oak, whose stump (גֶּזַע) remains when it is felled, so the holy seed is its stump." In this prophetic oracle concerning Israel's judgment and exile, the gezaʻ represents the faithful remnant that will survive the devastation. Despite the widespread destruction, God promises to preserve a "holy seed" – a core group from which future restoration will spring.
* **[[Isaiah 11:1]]**: "There shall come forth a shoot from the stump (גֶּזַע) of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit." This is arguably the most theologically profound use of gezaʻ. Jesse was the father of King David. By the time of Isaiah's prophecy, the Davidic monarchy had fallen into decline and would eventually be cut down. The "stump of Jesse" symbolizes the seemingly defunct Davidic dynasty, reduced to a humble, almost forgotten state. Yet, from this very gezaʻ, the Messiah – the "shoot" and "branch" – is prophesied to emerge, signaling a new era of righteous rule and restoration.
* **[[Daniel 4:15]], [[Daniel 4:23]], [[Daniel 4:26]]**: In Nebuchadnezzar's dream, the mighty tree symbolizing his kingdom is cut down, but its "stump" (גֶּזַע) is left in the earth. This signifies that while Nebuchadnezzar's pride and power would be severely curtailed and he would be humbled, his kingship would not be permanently removed. The gezaʻ represents the preserved essence of his authority, to be restored to him after his period of madness and repentance.
Across these contexts, gezaʻ consistently functions as a symbol of something preserved or foundational, often in the face of severe judgment or apparent demise, carrying the promise of future growth or restoration.
### Related Words & Concepts
The imagery of gezaʻ often interacts with a cluster of related biblical terms and concepts:
* **Trees and Roots**: Words like ʻets (`{{H6086}}`, "tree" or "wood") and shoresh (`{{H7706}}`, "root") provide the broader botanical context for gezaʻ. The stump is intrinsically linked to the root system, which sustains the potential for life.
* **Remnant**: The concept of a "remnant" (she'ar, `{{H7605}}`) is closely associated with gezaʻ, particularly in Isaiah. Both terms signify a preserved portion that survives judgment and carries the hope of future continuity.
* **New Growth/Sprout**: Terms for new growth, such as netzer (`{{H5342}}`, "branch," "sprout") and tsemach (`{{H6780}}`, "sprout," "branch"), are often paired with gezaʻ (e.g., "shoot from the stump"). This pairing highlights the dynamic of life emerging from apparent death.
* **Divine Judgment**: The act of "cutting down" (implied in the root of gezaʻ) is a common biblical metaphor for divine judgment and punishment (e.g., [[Isaiah 10:33]]). The gezaʻ then represents what remains *after* such judgment.
* **Covenant Faithfulness**: The preservation of the gezaʻ in contexts of judgment often underscores God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenants, particularly the Davidic covenant (e.g., [[2 Samuel 7:12-16]]).
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of gezaʻ is profound and multifaceted:
* **Divine Sovereignty in Judgment and Preservation**: Gezaʻ illustrates God's sovereign power to bring about severe judgment, symbolized by the "cutting down" of a tree or kingdom. Yet, even in judgment, God demonstrates His power to preserve a remnant or a foundational element (the stump), ensuring that His ultimate purposes will not be thwarted. This speaks to a divine plan that transcends human failure and even catastrophic events.
* **Messianic Hope and Humility**: The most pivotal theological implication of gezaʻ lies in [[Isaiah 11:1]]. The "stump of Jesse" signifies that the Messiah would not arise from a flourishing, glorious monarchy, but from a humble, seemingly dead lineage. This emphasizes the surprising nature of God's redemptive work, often choosing the weak and obscure to accomplish His greatest purposes. It points to the Messiah's humble origins, yet immense power and glory.
* **Resilience and Resurrection**: The imagery in Job 14:8, where a stump buds at the scent of water, serves as a powerful metaphor for spiritual renewal and even resurrection. It conveys the divine capacity to bring life from death, hope from desolation, and restoration from ruin. This theme resonates with the broader biblical narrative of God's redemptive work.
* **Covenant Fidelity**: The continued existence of the gezaʻ of Jesse, despite the decline of the Davidic kingdom, is a testament to God's unchanging faithfulness to His covenant promises. Even when human kings fail, God's covenant with David (that his house and kingdom would endure forever) remains secure, finding its ultimate fulfillment in the Messiah emerging from the "stump."
### Summary
The Hebrew word gezaʻ (`{{H1503}}`) denotes the "trunk" or "stump" of a tree, originating from a root implying "to cut down." This seemingly simple term carries profound theological weight in the biblical narrative. In passages like [[Job 14:8]], gezaʻ symbolizes the remarkable potential for renewal and life even from apparent death. More significantly, in prophetic contexts, particularly [[Isaiah 6:13]] and [[Isaiah 11:1]], gezaʻ represents a preserved remnant or a foundational lineage that survives divine judgment. The "stump of Jesse" in [[Isaiah 11:1]] stands as a pivotal Messianic prophecy, indicating that the promised Messiah would emerge from the seemingly humble and diminished Davidic dynasty. Similarly, in [[Daniel 4:15]], the gezaʻ of Nebuchadnezzar's tree signifies a preserved essence of kingship despite severe humiliation. Thus, gezaʻ encapsulates themes of divine judgment, enduring covenant faithfulness, and the surprising wellspring of God's redemptive plan, often manifesting from states of humility and apparent desolation.
TRV