Lexical Summary rhiza: Root Original Word: ῥίζα Strong's Exhaustive Concordance root. Apparently a primary word; a "root" (literally or figuratively) -- root. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. word Definition a root NASB Translation root (16), roots (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4491: ῤίζαῤίζα, ῤίζης, ἡ (akin to German Reis (cf. Latinradix; English root; see Curtius, § 515; Fick, Part 3:775)), from Homer down; the Sept. for שֹׁרֶשׁ; 1. a root: properly, Matthew 3:10; Luke 3:9; ἐκ ῤιζῶν, from the roots (cf. Winer's Grammar, § 51, 1 d.), Mark 11:20; ῤίζαν ἔχειν, to strike deep root, Matthew 13:6; Mark 4:6; tropically, οὐ ῤίζαν ἔχειν ἐν ἑαυτῷ, spoken of one who has but a superficial experience of divine truth, has not permitted it to make its way into the inmost recesses of his soul, Matthew 13:21; Mark 4:17; Luke 8:13; in figurative discourse, ῤίζα πικρίας (see πικρία) of a person disposed to apostatize and induce others to commit the same offence, Hebrews 12:15; the progenitors of a race are called ῤίζα, their descendants κλάδοι (see κλάδος, b.), Romans 11:16-18. Metaphorically, cause, origin, source: πάντων τῶν κακῶν, 1 Timothy 6:10; τῆς σοφίας, Sir. 1:6 (5), 20 (18); τῆς ἀθανασίας, Wis. 15:3; τῆς ἁμαρτίας, of the devil, Ev. Nicod. 23; ἀρχή καί ῤίζα παντός ἀγαθοῦ, Epicur. quoted in Atlmn. 12, 67, p. 546f; πηγή καί ῤίζα καλοκἀγαθίας τό νομίμου τυχεῖν παιδείας, Plutarch, de purr. educ. c. 7 b. 2. after the use of the Hebrew שֹׁרֶשׁ, that which like a root springs from a root, a sprout, shoot; metaphorically, offspring, progeny: Romans 15:12; Revelation 5:5; Revelation 22:16 (Isaiah 11:10). Strong’s Greek 4491 pictures the unseen “root” that anchors, nourishes, and ultimately determines the destiny of the whole plant. In Scripture this image is applied to Israel, to Messiah, to sin, to apostasy, and to final judgment and renewal. Seventeen New Testament occurrences develop a unified theology: what lies beneath will in due course manifest itself in fruit, for blessing or for destruction. Old Testament Background The Septuagint frequently uses the same noun for the root of Jesse (Isaiah 11:1, 10) and for roots that dry up under divine judgment (Isaiah 40:24). Jewish hearers therefore brought to the New Testament an awareness that root can denote both Messianic hope and the lurking source of evil. Roots and Judgment in John the Baptist’s Preaching Matthew 3:10 and Luke 3:9 place the “axe…at the root of the trees,” announcing imminent wrath on fruitless Israel. The imagery bypasses superficial foliage; God strikes at origin and essence. It warns that lineage and outward religiosity cannot protect a heart estranged from covenant faithfulness. Roots, Perseverance, and the Parable of the Soils In the rocky-soil scenes (Matthew 13:6, 13:21; Mark 4:6, 4:17; Luke 8:13) lack of root explains spiritual withering. True discipleship requires depth that draws life from Christ when the sun of tribulation beats down. The repeated emphasis on “no root” exposes the danger of emotional but shallow response to the gospel. Roots and Prophetic Sign-Acts Mark 11:20 notes that the cursed fig tree “withered from its roots,” showing that Jesus’ verdict on the unfruitful temple system reached to its very core. External vibrancy cannot survive when the hidden source of life has been judged. Roots and the Olive-Tree Analogy (Romans 11) Paul extends the metaphor to Israel’s salvation-history. • Romans 11:16: “If the root is holy, so are the branches.” The patriarchal promises form the holy root; faithless branches are broken off, yet the root remains sound, assuring future grafting in of ethnic Israel. Paul’s argument underscores the irrevocability of God’s covenant purposes while warning against arrogance born of grace. The Messianic Root of Jesse Romans 15:12 cites Isaiah: “The Root of Jesse will appear, One who will arise to rule over the Gentiles; in Him the Gentiles will hope.” Revelation 5:5 and 22:16 reveal Jesus as “the Root of David,” grounding David’s dynasty rather than merely stemming from it. The same root that guarantees Israel’s hope now spreads worldwide, fulfilling the Abrahamic promise that all nations will be blessed. Roots of Sin and Apostasy 1 Timothy 6:10 exposes the love of money as “a root of all kinds of evil,” tracing diverse transgressions to one hidden desire. Hebrews 12:15 warns of “a root of bitterness springing up” that defiles community. Both passages press believers to examine underlying attitudes before destructive fruit appears. Eschatological Consummation Revelation presents the Root of David as the victorious Lion who opens the scroll (5:5) and the eternal King who sends His message to the churches (22:16). What began as a promise in Isaiah will close history in triumph; the righteous root yields the harvest of a new creation. Pastoral and Ministry Applications 1. Conversion: Evangelism must seek not merely immediate response but Spirit-wrought rooting in Christ through doctrine, fellowship, and trials that prove authenticity. Doctrinal Synthesis The root motif unifies biblical teaching on: • Covenant continuity—patriarchal holiness sustains future fulfillment. Summary Strong’s Greek 4491 points beneath the visible to the determining source. Scripture employs the figure to expose hidden sin, warn of shallow faith, affirm the abiding covenant, and exalt the Messiah who embodies and secures the root of divine life for all who believe. Englishman's Concordance Matthew 3:10 N-AFSGRK: πρὸς τὴν ῥίζαν τῶν δένδρων NAS: laid at the root of the trees; KJV: unto the root of the trees: INT: to the root of the trees Matthew 13:6 N-AFS Matthew 13:21 N-AFS Mark 4:6 N-AFS Mark 4:17 N-AFS Mark 11:20 N-GFP Luke 3:9 N-AFS Luke 8:13 N-AFS Romans 11:16 N-NFS Romans 11:17 N-GFS Romans 11:18 N-AFS Romans 11:18 N-NFS Romans 15:12 N-NFS 1 Timothy 6:10 N-NFS Hebrews 12:15 N-NFS Revelation 5:5 N-NFS Revelation 22:16 N-NFS Strong's Greek 4491 |
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