King James Version

What Does Romans 15:12 Mean?

Romans 15:12 in the King James Version says “And again, Esaias saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall...” — study this verse from Romans chapter 15 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“And again, Esaias saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust.”

Romans 15:12 · KJV

Context

10

And again he saith, Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people.

11

And again, Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; and laud him, all ye people.

12

And again, Esaias saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust.

13

Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

14

And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.

Read Romans 15 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And again, Esaias saith, There shall be a root of Jesse (καὶ πάλιν Ἠσαΐας λέγει· Ἔσται ἡ ῥίζα τοῦ Ἰεσσαί, kai palin Ēsaias legei· estai hē rhiza tou Iessai)—Paul's fourth quotation, from Isaiah 11:10, climaxes the scriptural proof. The 'root of Jesse' refers to the Messiah from David's (Jesse's son's) line. Rhiza (root) can mean either source or descendant; here, Messiah springs from Jesse's lineage but also supersedes and grounds it—Christ is both David's son and David's Lord (Matt 22:41-45).

And he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust (καὶ ὁ ἀνιστάμενος ἄρχειν ἐθνῶν, ἐπ' αὐτῷ ἔθνη ἐλπιοῦσιν, kai ho anistamenos archein ethnōn, ep' autō ethnē elpiosin)—Anistamenos (he that rises) carries resurrection overtones: Christ rose to reign. Archein (to reign, rule) indicates sovereign kingship over the nations. Elpiosin (shall hope, trust) shows Gentiles placing saving faith in the Jewish Messiah—the central scandal of the gospel. Isaiah 11 envisions Messiah's reign extending beyond Israel to encompass all nations; Paul sees this fulfilled as Gentiles trust in Christ.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Isaiah 11:1-10 is a classic messianic prophecy describing the ideal Davidic king who will judge righteously and bring universal peace. Verse 10's reference to Gentiles seeking the 'root of Jesse' was understood messianically in Judaism. Paul's application to Jesus and the Gentile mission was therefore grounded in accepted messianic texts, though his reading was distinctively christological.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Christ's identity as both 'root of Jesse' (Jewish Messiah) and ruler of the Gentiles challenge ethnic or cultural exclusivism in the church?
  2. What does it mean practically for you to 'hope in' or 'trust in' Christ as the risen, reigning Lord?
  3. How should the fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy in the inclusion of the Gentiles shape Christian attitudes toward OT prophecy and its interpretation?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 18 words
καὶ1 of 18

“And”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

πάλιν2 of 18

“again”

G3825

(adverbially) anew, i.e., (of place) back, (of time) once more, or (conjunctionally) furthermore or on the other hand

Ἠσαΐας3 of 18

“Esaias”

G2268

hesaias (i.e., jeshajah), an israelite

λέγει4 of 18

“saith”

G3004

properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an

Ἔσται5 of 18

“There shall be”

G2071

will be

ἡ6 of 18
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ῥίζα7 of 18

“a root”

G4491

a "root" (literally or figuratively)

τοῦ8 of 18
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Ἰεσσαί9 of 18

“of Jesse”

G2421

jessae (i.e., jishai), an israelite

καὶ10 of 18

“And”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ὁ11 of 18
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἀνιστάμενος12 of 18

“he that shall rise”

G450

to stand up (literal or figurative, transitive or intransitive)

ἄρχειν13 of 18

“to reign over”

G757

to be first (in political rank or power)

ἔθνη14 of 18

“the Gentiles”

G1484

a race (as of the same habit), i.e., a tribe; specially, a foreign (non-jewish) one (usually, by implication, pagan)

ἐπ'15 of 18

“in”

G1909

properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re

αὐτῷ16 of 18

“him”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ἔθνη17 of 18

“the Gentiles”

G1484

a race (as of the same habit), i.e., a tribe; specially, a foreign (non-jewish) one (usually, by implication, pagan)

ἐλπιοῦσιν18 of 18

“shall”

G1679

to expect or confide

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Romans. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Romans 15:12 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Romans 15:12 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 11:10Isaiah 11:1Revelation 22:16Matthew 12:21Revelation 5:51 Corinthians 15:19

Test Your Knowledge

Romans 15 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterRomans Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

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