1.11. Appendix Note 4

NOTE 4 As has been said, Isaiah 4:2; Jeremiah 23:5-6 Zechariah 3:8; and Zechariah 6:12-13, with the exception of Jeremiah 33:15, which is a repetition of Jeremiah 23:5-6, are the only four instances in the Hebrew Scriptures where the Messiah is designated by the title צֶ֣מַה (Branch), and in the connections pointed out. English readers may be surprised at this statement and inclined to doubt its accuracy as Psalms 80:15, Isaiah 11:1, etc., are brought to their minds; but I must explain that I have only to do with the original. The word rendered Branch in Psalms 80:15 is בֵּ֝֗ן, and literally means “son,” so that that sentence ought to be rendered, “And the Son Whom Thou hast made strong for Thyself.” In Isaiah 11:1, the word rendered Branch is נֵ֖צֶר and literally means twig, sprout, or sucker. It has also the idea of concealment or secrecy, something hidden, so that the prophet may have intended to describe the insignificance and unobtrusiveness of the Messiah on His first advent; hence some think that the words of Matthew 2:23, “That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene,” were in reference to this verse, i.e., they trace Nazarene to נֵ֖צֶר (Netzer). The little town Nazareth was probably so called from its insignificance, as we know that it was so obscure that it was neither mentioned in the Old Testament nor in Josephus. It was of no account compared with other towns, the same as a Netzer (twig) is of no account when compared with the tree. But for my own part I believe that Matthew does not refer here exclusively to this passage nor to any other single passage, but to the general tone of the prophets, all of whom spoke of the humiliation of the Messiah on His first advent as well as of the glory that was to follow His second coming, “that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets” (not one prophet), “He shall be called Nazarene,” i.e., Netzer, one despised.

I might mention that on comparing the Hebrew with the English text I found no fewer than thirteen different Hebrew words all rendered by the word “Branch” in the English, and in several instances incorrectly so, but as none of these passages are of any Messianic import, I do not dwell on them.