2 Nephi 21

Stem of Jesse

Stem of Jesse — the trunk growing from Jesse, father of King David

And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots. 2 Nephi 21:1

Jesse was King David's father, so the Stem of Jesse is a descendant of David's royal line. The Lord Himself revealed in the Doctrine and Covenants that the Stem of Jesse is Christ.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• interpreted by D&C 113:1-2 — 'Verily thus saith the Lord: It is Christ.'
• a parallel account in Isaiah 11:1 — The same verse in Isaiah.

The Branch

Branch — a new shoot springing from David's family line

And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots. 2 Nephi 21:1

After Assyria cuts Israel down like a forest, a fresh branch grows from Jesse's roots. Other prophets name the Messiah 'the Branch' of David, pointing to Jesus as the living new growth of the royal family.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• the same title in Jeremiah 23:5 — 'I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign'.
• the same title in Zechariah 3:8 — 'I will bring forth my servant the BRANCH'.

The Messiah filled with the Spirit

And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord; 2 Nephi 21:2–3

'Him' is the Stem of Jesse, Christ. The Spirit of the Lord rests on Him fully, giving Him perfect wisdom, so He judges by what is true and not by what He sees or hears.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• fulfilled by John 1:32-33 — John sees the Spirit descend and remain upon Jesus.
• interpreted by D&C 113:1-2 — The one upon whom the Spirit rests is the Stem of Jesse, Christ.

Righteous Judge at His Coming

But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth; and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked. 2 Nephi 21:4–5

Christ will judge the poor and meek fairly and destroy wickedness simply by His word. This points to His Second Coming, when He will rule in righteousness and faithfulness.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• alluded to by 2 Thessalonians 2:8 — The Lord consumes the wicked one 'with the spirit of his mouth'.
• alluded to by Revelation 19:15 — Out of the returning King's mouth goes a sharp sword to smite the nations.

Millennial Reign of Christ

The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid, and the calf and the young lion and fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. 2 Nephi 21:6–9

Under the reign of the Stem of Jesse, even natural enemies live in peace and the whole earth knows the Lord. Latter-day Saints understand this as the Millennium, when Christ reigns personally on the earth.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• quoted by 2 Nephi 30:12-15 — Nephi repeats these verses in his own prophecy of the last days.
• alluded to by D&C 101:26 — The enmity of beasts shall cease in the Millennium.

Root of Jesse

Root of Jesse — the source and descendant of Jesse's line

And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek; and his rest shall be glorious. 2 Nephi 21:10

Paul quotes this verse to show that Jesus is the one the Gentiles would come to. The Doctrine and Covenants also explains the root of Jesse as a latter-day servant holding priesthood keys, who raises an ensign that gathers people to Christ.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• quoted by Romans 15:12 — Paul applies 'a root of Jesse... in him shall the Gentiles trust' to Christ.
• the same title in Revelation 22:16 — Jesus: 'I am the root and the offspring of David'.
• interpreted by D&C 113:5-6 — Interprets the root of Jesse as a descendant of Jesse and Joseph holding keys, for an ensign.

The Messiah gathering Israel

And it shall come to pass in that day that the Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people which shall be left, from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea. 2 Nephi 21:11–12

The Lord will reach out a second time to gather scattered Israel from every land. Jacob taught that it is the Messiah who sets Himself the second time to recover His people, so the latter-day gathering is Christ's work.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• interpreted by 2 Nephi 6:14 — 'The Messiah will set himself again the second time to recover them'.
• quoted by 2 Nephi 25:17 — Nephi repeats 'the Lord will set his hand again the second time'.
• a parallel account in Isaiah 11:11-12 — The same verses in Isaiah.

Jehovah making a way

And the Lord shall utterly destroy the tongue of the Egyptian sea; and with his mighty wind he shall shake his hand over the river, and shall smite it in the seven streams, and make men go over dry shod. 2 Nephi 21:15–16

Jehovah, who dried the Red Sea for Israel leaving Egypt, will again make a road home for His scattered people. The premortal Christ led the first Exodus and leads the final gathering.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• alludes to Exodus 14:21-22 — The Lord parts the sea and Israel crosses on dry ground.