the Week of Proper 28 / Ordinary 33
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Bible Dictionaries
Root
Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament
or ROOT (ῥίζα).—The ‘root’ is that part essential to the life of a plant (Matthew 13:6, Mark 4:6), which penetrates the earth, and draws sap and nourishment from the soil. ‘Root’ is, therefore, taken to signify that condition of heart without which religious life is impossible (Matthew 13:21, Luke 8:13). The intelligent and stable Christian is described as ‘rooted’ in love (Ephesians 3:17), and ‘rooted’ in Christ (Colossians 2:7). Utter destruction is signified by plucking up by the root (Matthew 13:29, Judges 1:12). The Baptist’s vivid ‘the axe is laid unto the root’ (Matthew 3:10, Luke 3:9) points to the complete overthrow he desired for the rampant growth of evils in his day. As applied to Christ (Revelation 5:5; Revelation 22:16), the title ‘Root’ probably means more than ‘branch or sucker from an ancient root.’ Rather does it point to Him as Himself the ‘root’ whence David and his tribe sprang, appearing at last to manifest His transcendent power and glory.
W. Ewing.
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Hastings, James. Entry for 'Root'. Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament. https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/eng/hdn/r/root.html. 1906-1918.
