Bible Encyclopedias
Root

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

rōōt ( שׁרשׁ , shōresh ; ῥίζα , rhı́za ): Frequently mentioned in the Old Testament and New Testament, but almost always in a figurative sense, e.g. "root of the righteous" ( Proverbs 12:3 , Proverbs 12:12 ); "root that beareth gall" (Deuteronomy 29:18 ); "Their root shall be as rottenness" (Isaiah 5:24 ); "root of bitterness" (Hebrews 12:15 ). Also of peoples: "they whose root is in Amalek" (Judges 5:14 ); of Assyria (Ezekiel 31:7 ); "Ephraim is smitten, their root is dried up" (Hosea 9:16 ); "Judah shall again take root downward" (2 Kings 19:30; compare Isaiah 27:6; Isaiah 37:31 ); the root of Jesse (Isaiah 11:10; Romans 15:12 ); root of David (Revelation 5:5; Revelation 22:16 ).