BRANCH (Heb. אָמִיר, H580, topmost bough; זְמﯴרָה, H2367, twig; זָמִיר֮, H2370, branch; יﯴנֶ֫קֶת, H3438, suckling; כַּף, H4090, palmleaf; כִּפָּה, H4093, frond; נֵ֫צֶר, H5916, shoot; סָעִיפ֮, H6187, twig; עָלֶה, H6591, sprout; עָנָף, H6733, bough; פֹּארָה, H6997, sapling; צֶ֫מַח, H7542, sprout; קָנֶה, H7866, cane; קָצִיר֮, H7908, cutting; שִׁבֹּ֫לֶת֮, H8673, twig; Gr. βαῖον, frond; κλάδος, G3080, branch; κλῆμα, G3097, shoot; στοίβας, branches of leaves). Any division of a plant except the main stem or root and including the leaves, or a very young tree commonly called sapling (Ezek 31:5), a vine (Nah 2:2), a sprout (Isa 4:2), or even a cutting (John 15:2) may be included in this term. Recall that a branch has all the tissues of the trunk and in addition supports the leaves which are essential for nutrition of the plant itself.

Although the Scriptures use “branch” in its literal meaning, such as making booths of branches at the feast of tabernacles (Lev 23:40), the frequent usage is to express a spiritual truth. Joseph’s fruitfulness was pictured as branches running over a wall (Gen 49:22). Job’s wisdom was sought and valued as dew falling at night upon the branches (Job 29:19), and Christ’s followers as a branch bearing fruit (John 15:2) because of its connection with the vine while the unfruitful branch was cut off and burned (15:6). Many references suggest that the destruction of people or nations (Mal 4:1) is similar to branches that fall, and desolation is such that only animals and birds are left to dwell in the boughs (Ezek 31:13). In Pharaoh’s righteous days the shadows of the leaves gave shade to beasts and people as did Pharaoh to the nations (31:6). White branches with bark stripped off show that a nation has plundered God’s people and that the day of the Lord is near (Joel 1:7). When “the branch of the Lord shall be beautiful and glorious” (Isa 4:2) then the Lord has forgiven and restored His people. Putting the branch to the nose was a sign of disrespect to the Lord, leading to His wrath (Ezek 8:17). The three branches in the butler’s vision were the three days before he was restored to favor.

Branches were carved into the lampstand adorning the Tabernacle (Exod 37:18) by Bezalel. Hyssop, dipped in the blood of the passover lamb, applied the preserving sign to the lintel and the door posts of the Israelites, so that the destroyer avoided their dwellings. When one was to be cleansed from a corpse, he took hyssop, dipped it in water containing ashes of the burnt sin offering and sprinkled it upon the tent of the dead person and its furnishings and occupants. Likewise a house in which leprosy had been found, but which did not pass on the disease was cleansed by hyssop, dipped in the blood of a killed bird and sprinkled seven times, aided by a living bird carrying away some of this blood (Lev 14:51). When a red heifer was burned for the removal of sin, cedar wood and hyssop branches were included (Num 19:6).

Jesus reminded His disciples that as a branch puts forth its leaves to promise summer so certain events will herald His coming. Branches were cut from the trees and spread on the road the first time He entered Jerusalem in triumph (Matt 21:8). He compared the luxurious growth of the mustard plant to the advancing kingdom of God so that birds could nest in its branches (Luke 13:19). Paul in Romans 11 compares the Jews to the natural branches and the Gentiles to grafts, and warns against both unbelief and pride which can cause their severance from the richness of the olive tree, a symbol of God’s mercy.

Branches can represent people. In Zechariah the two olive branches are “the two anointed who stand by the Lord of the whole earth” (Zech 4:14). The most interesting use of “Branch” is to represent the Lord Jesus Christ. He was prophesied as a righteous Branch for David “to reign as king and deal wisely” (Jer 23:5) in the Temple which He shall rebuild (Zech 6:12) and to “execute justice and righteousness in the land” (Jer 33:15). Then prosperity reigns and everyone may guest his neighbor under his own vine and fig tree (Zech 3:10).