Branch

The limb of a tree. The term is used literally, symbolically and metaphorically in Scripture. Branches are personified at times and the Messiah is referred to as the Branch.

Branches of various trees

Vine branches

Genesis 49:22 See also Numbers 13:23; Isaiah 18:5; Jeremiah 5:10, Jeremiah 6:9, Jeremiah 48:32; Ezekiel 17:5–8, Ezekiel 19:10–14; John 15:5–6

Joseph is a fruitful vine— a fruitful vine by a spring, whose branches scale the wall.

Olive branches

Deuteronomy 24:20 See also Nehemiah 8:14–16; Jeremiah 11:16; Zechariah 4:12

When you beat the olives from your trees, you must not go over the branches again. What remains will be for the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widow.

Palm branches

Revelation 7:9 See also Nehemiah 8:15; Isaiah 9:14, Isaiah 19:15

After this I looked and saw a multitude too large to count, from every nation and tribe and people and tongue, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and holding palm branches in their hands.

Branches of other trees

Jeremiah 1:11 See also Genesis 30:37–39; Nehemiah 8:15; Ezekiel 17:22–23, Ezekiel 31:3; Hebrews 9:19

And the word of the LORD came to me, asking, “Jeremiah, what do you see?” “I see a branch of an almond tree,” I replied.

Branches cut down for Jesus Christ's triumphal entry into Jerusalem

Matthew 21:7–9 parallels Mark 11:7–10, John 12:12–13

They brought the donkey and the colt and laid their cloaks on them, and Jesus sat on them. A massive crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of Him and those that followed were shouting: “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest!”

Branches providing shelter

Matthew 13:31–32 parallel Luke 13:18–19 See also Ezekiel 31:3–14; Daniel 4:10–14, Daniel 4:20–22

He put before them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that a man took and planted in his field. Although it is the smallest of all seeds, yet it grows into the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches.”

The symbolic use of branches

Jeremiah 1:11–12 See also Isaiah 9:14–15, Isaiah 19:13–15

And the word of the LORD came to me, asking, “Jeremiah, what do you see?” “I see a branch of an almond tree,” I replied. “You have observed correctly,” said the LORD, “for I am watching over My word to accomplish it.”

Branches in visions

Genesis 40:9–13 See also Zechariah 4:1–14

So the chief cupbearer told Joseph his dream: “In my dream there was a vine before me, and on the vine were three branches. As it budded, its blossoms opened and its clusters ripened into grapes. Pharaoh’s cup was in my hand, and I took the grapes, squeezed them into his cup, and placed the cup in his hand.” Joseph replied, “This is the interpretation: The three branches are three days. Within three days Pharaoh will lift up your head and restore your position. You will put Pharaoh’s cup in his hand, just as you did when you were his cupbearer.

The metaphorical use of branches

Job 29:19 See also Genesis 49:22; Job 15:32–35, Job 18:5–16

My roots will spread out to the waters, and the dew will rest nightly on my branches.

The personification of branches

In general

John 15:5–6 See also Romans 11:11–24

I am the vine and you are the branches. The one who remains in Me, and I in him, will bear much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in Me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers. Such branches are gathered up, thrown into the fire, and burned.

The Messiah as the Branch

Jeremiah 23:5 See also Isaiah 4:2, Isaiah 11:1–5; Jeremiah 33:15–16; Zechariah 3:8, Zechariah 6:12–13

Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and He will reign wisely as King and will administer justice and righteousness in the land.

The branches of the lampstand in the tabernacle

Exodus 25:31–32 See also Exodus 25:35–36, Exodus 37:17–22

Then you are to make a lampstand of pure, hammered gold. It shall be made of one piece, including its base and shaft, its cups, and its buds and petals. Six branches are to extend from the sides of the lampstand — three on one side and three on the other.