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Isaiah 37:31

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And the remnant that is escaped of the house of Judah shall again take root downward, and bear fruit upward:

And the remnant {H7604} that is escaped {H6413} of the house {H1004} of Judah {H3063} shall again {H3254} take root {H8328} downward {H4295}, and bear {H6213} fruit {H6529} upward {H4605}:

"'Meanwhile, the remnant of the house of Y'hudah that has escaped will again take root downward and bear fruit upward;

And the surviving remnant of the house of Judah will again take root below and bear fruit above.

And the remnant that is escaped of the house of Judah shall again take root downward, and bear fruit upward.

Commentary

Isaiah 37:31 (KJV) delivers a powerful message of hope and restoration to the people of Judah amidst a severe crisis. This verse is part of God's prophetic word through the prophet Isaiah to King Hezekiah, assuring him of divine intervention against the formidable Assyrian Empire.

Historical and Cultural Context

At this point in Judah's history, King Sennacherib of Assyria had launched a devastating invasion, conquering many fortified cities and threatening Jerusalem itself. King Hezekiah, facing overwhelming odds and immense pressure, had turned to the Lord in fervent prayer (Isaiah 37:14-20). The Assyrians were notorious for their brutal siege tactics and deportation policies, making the promise of survival and restoration truly miraculous. This verse specifically follows God's assurance that the Assyrian king would not enter Jerusalem (Isaiah 37:33-35), setting the stage for the revival of Judah.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Preservation and Deliverance: The verse highlights God's unwavering commitment to His people, even when they are reduced to a "remnant." It is a testament to His power to protect and save from seemingly insurmountable threats.
  • Restoration and Renewal: The vivid agricultural metaphor of "take root downward, and bear fruit upward" signifies a complete spiritual and physical recovery. After being cut down or scattered, the surviving community would not only survive but also flourish again, deeply established and visibly productive.
  • Hope in Adversity: For a people facing potential annihilation, this prophecy offered profound hope, assuring them that their future was secure in God's hands. It speaks to the enduring nature of God's covenant promises.
  • The Remnant: The concept of a "remnant" is significant throughout biblical prophecy, referring to a faithful core preserved by God for His purposes, often after judgment or severe trial. This remnant is the seed for future blessing and continuity.

Linguistic Insights

The imagery of "taking root downward" (Hebrew: shoresh l'mata) and "bearing fruit upward" (Hebrew: pereh l'ma'lah) is deeply evocative. "Taking root downward" speaks of stability, security, and a strong foundation—a spiritual grounding in God. "Bearing fruit upward" signifies visible growth, prosperity, and productivity that results from that deep foundation. It implies both internal strength and external manifestation of blessing, mirroring the description of a blessed person in Psalm 1:3.

Practical Application

Isaiah 37:31 offers timeless encouragement for believers today. In times of personal hardship, loss, or spiritual barrenness, this verse reminds us that God promises restoration. Just as Judah was to take root again after the Assyrian threat, we too can find stability and strength in our faith, even after devastating experiences. A deep "root system" in God's Word and prayer enables us to "bear fruit" in our lives, demonstrating spiritual vitality and productivity. It encourages us to trust in God's preserving power and His ability to bring renewal out of desolation, ensuring that even a "remnant" can thrive and be fruitful through His grace.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Isaiah 27:6 (6 votes)

    He shall cause them that come of Jacob to take root: Israel shall blossom and bud, and fill the face of the world with fruit.

  • 2 Kings 19:30 (6 votes)

    And the remnant that is escaped of the house of Judah shall yet again take root downward, and bear fruit upward.

  • 2 Kings 19:31 (6 votes)

    For out of Jerusalem shall go forth a remnant, and they that escape out of mount Zion: the zeal of the LORD [of hosts] shall do this.

  • Psalms 80:9 (4 votes)

    Thou preparedst [room] before it, and didst cause it to take deep root, and it filled the land.

  • Romans 9:27 (3 votes)

    Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved:

  • Isaiah 1:9 (3 votes)

    Except the LORD of hosts had left unto us a very small remnant, we should have been as Sodom, [and] we should have been like unto Gomorrah.

  • Isaiah 10:20 (3 votes)

    ¶ And it shall come to pass in that day, [that] the remnant of Israel, and such as are escaped of the house of Jacob, shall no more again stay upon him that smote them; but shall stay upon the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, in truth.