Roots

The source and foundation of a tree or plant, anchoring it to the soil, usually found beneath the surface of the ground. Scripture contains literal, metaphorical and figurative references to roots.

Roots of trees and plants

Job 30:4 See also Job 14:7–9; Matthew 13:3–6 parallel Mark 4:2–6; Mark 11:20–21

They plucked mallow among the shrubs, and the roots of the broom tree were their food.

Jesus Christ as the ``Root of David''

Revelation 22:16 See also Isaiah 11:1–5, Isaiah 11:10–12, Isaiah 53:1–3; Romans 15:8–12; Revelation 5:5

“I, Jesus, have sent My angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the bright Morning Star.”

The metaphorical use of roots

Individuals and nations depicted as trees or plants with roots

Job 29:18–20 See also Judges 5:14; Job 8:11–19, Job 18:5–17; Psalm 1:3, Psalm 80:14–15; Isaiah 5:22–24, Isaiah 14:30, Isaiah 37:30–32 the LORD's sign to Hezekiah; Jeremiah 17:7–8; Ezekiel 17:1–10, Ezekiel 31:3–9DAN Ezekiel 4:13–16, Daniel 4:23–26 Hosea 9:16, Hosea 14:5; Malachi 4:1; Matthew 3:10 parallel Luke 3:9; Matthew 13:18–21 parallels Mark 4:13–17, Luke 8:11–13 the parable of the sower; Matthew 15:13; Romans 11:13–21

So I thought: ‘I will die in my nest and multiply my days as the sand. My roots will spread out to the waters, and the dew will rest nightly on my branches. My glory is ever new within me, and my bow is renewed in my hand.’

Sources and foundations described as roots

1 Timothy 6:10 See also Job 19:28, Job 28:9; Proverbs 12:12; Isaiah 14:29; Amos 2:9; Jonah 2:6

For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. By craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.

Bitter roots

Hebrews 12:15 See also Deuteronomy 29:18

See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God, and that no root of bitterness springs up to cause trouble and defile many.

Roots as a symbol of stability and growth

Taking root

Colossians 2:6–7 See also 2 Kings 19:30; Job 5:3; Psalm 80:8–9; Isaiah 27:6, Isaiah 40:24; Jeremiah 12:2; Ephesians 3:14–19

Therefore, just as you have received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him, established in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

Being uprooted

Job 19:10 See also 1 Kings 14:15; Psalm 52:5; Proverbs 10:30, Proverbs 12:3; Jeremiah 1:10, Jeremiah 12:14–15, Jeremiah 31:28, Jeremiah 45:4; Ezekiel 17:9, Ezekiel 19:12; Jude 1:12

He tears me down on every side until I am gone; He uproots my hope like a tree.