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Where in the Old Testament is the Prophecy that Jesus would be a Nazarene?

The Branch prophecies, particularly Isaiah 11:1-10, appear to be the basis for the claim that Jesus fulfilled what was "spoken through the prophets: ‘He shall be called a Nazarene’” (Matthew 2:23). This will be explained below in Section 2: Isaiah 11:1-10.

Throughout the prophetic books of the Old Testament, a recurring figure known as the “Branch” emerges as a symbol of hope, renewal, and future restoration.

This imagery appears in the writings of Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Zechariah. It describes a coming figure who will arise with righteousness, wisdom, and authority. In some passages, the Branch is associated with beauty and glory. In others, with justice and salvation for the people of Israel. Several of these prophecies are explicitly linked to King David.

The Hebrew terms “Tsemach,” “Netzer,” and “Semah” translated as “Branch” or “shoot,” reflect a consistent prophetic theme of new life springing forth from what appears to be a cut-down or barren state. Taken together, these passages create a rich and unified portrait of a promised leader who will play a central role in the renewal of God’s people.

There are six identifiable "Branch prophecies" found in the Old Testament,

Isaiah 4:1-6
Isaiah 11:1-10
Jeremiah 23:5-6
Jeremiah 33:15-16
Zechariah 3:8
Zechariah 6:12-13

Isaiah 11:1-10 is the most significant of the Branch prophecies.

All of these Branch prophecies are either explicitly or implicitly linked to the Davidic Covenant (2 Samuel 7:12-16). God promised David that a descendant would inherit his throne and that this descendant’s house and throne would be established forever.

These Branch prophecies are also linked to the Messiah. God had promised to send Israel His Anointed One—a Messiah—who would rule Israel, speak God’s words, and bring salvation and “shalom” (peace and harmony) to Israel.

1. Isaiah 4:1-6

“In that day the Branch of the LORD will be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the earth will be the pride and the adornment of the survivors of Israel.”
(Isaiah 4:2)

Isaiah 4:2 is the earliest “Branch” prophecy. It presents the Branch (Hebrew: “Tsemach”) as something of the LORD—likely divine—and is tied to restoration and glory for a remnant.

This “Branch” originates from the LORD Himself—and is tied directly to the renewal of the land and people following a period of judgment.

The context of Isaiah 4:1 describes the desperation of women in a ruined society. It stands in stark contrast to the flourishing and restoration that begins in verse 2. The imagery suggests a radical reversal: from desolation to beauty, from disgrace to dignity, and from judgment to grace. The Branch serves as the first sign of this transformation, embodying the hope that God Himself will raise up new life out of ruin.

Isaiah 4:3-6 extends the impact of the Branch to the community that remains in Zion.

These survivors are described as “holy,” having been “washed” and “purged” by the LORD’s judgment, suggesting that the Branch is connected not only to renewal but also to purification. The imagery of a canopy and cloud of glory over Mount Zion in verses 5-6 mirrors the presence of God in the wilderness tabernacle, indicating divine protection and presence returning to the people. In this way, Isaiah 4:2-6 portrays a future era in which the LORD’s cleansing leads to holiness, His Branch brings beauty and fruitfulness, and His presence once again dwells with His people. The Branch, then, is not merely a poetic symbol, but a focal point of divine intervention and restoration in the midst of human ruin.

In Jewish tradition, this Branch is understood to be a metaphor for the Messiah. Jesus, the Messiah, Son of David, will fulfill this Branch prophecy upon His second coming when He ushers in His kingdom in the new earth.

This prophecy is not explicitly linked to the Davidic Covenant, but it does reflect similar themes of divine initiative, future restoration, and the rise of a righteous leader through whom the LORD will establish justice, holiness, and a renewed community—paralleling God’s promises to David of a perpetual kingdom, a sanctified people, and His enduring presence among them.

2. Isaiah 11:1-10

“Then a shoot will spring from the stem of Jesse, and a Branch from his roots will bear fruit.”
(Isaiah 11:1)

Isaiah 11:1-10 is arguably the most significant of these six Branch prophecies.

This prophecy explicitly connects the Branch/Messiah with the Davidic Covenant and David’s lineage. Jesse was David’s father. The “stem of Jesse” refers to David. And in addition to describing His just reign, it reveals the Branch’s intimacy with God.

Isaiah 11:1-10 presents a vision of a future ruler who will arise “from the stem of Jesse” (Isaiah 11:1), signaling a renewal of the royal line that appeared to have been cut down. The image of a shoot growing from a stump conveys both continuity and restoration, implying that although the Davidic dynasty has been reduced and humbled, it is not extinguished.

This connects directly to the promises of the Davidic Covenant, where God declared that David’s house and throne would be established forever (2 Samuel 7:12-16). The ruler described in this passage is marked by divine endowment: “the Spirit of the LORD will rest on Him” —a spirit of wisdom, understanding, counsel, strength, knowledge, and the fear of the LORD (Isaiah 11:2).

This intimate relationship between the Branch and God’s Spirit is similar to the familial relationship shared between the LORD and David’s descendant: “I will be a father to him and he will be a son to Me” (2 Samuel 7:14).

The Branch’s reign is defined by perfect justice, righteousness, and faithfulness, especially for the poor and meek, revealing the kind of ideal kingship envisioned in the covenant.

The broader context of Isaiah 11 builds on themes introduced earlier in the book—namely judgment upon the proud and faithless, followed by the hope of renewal for a faithful remnant. Isaiah 11:6-10 depicts a transformed world under this ruler’s reign: natural enemies live in peace, violence ceases, and the earth is filled with the knowledge of the LORD.

This restored order is not limited to Israel but extends to the nations, who seek “the root of Jesse” (Isaiah 11:10) as a signal lifted up among them. The universal reach of this figure’s influence suggests that the promised king is more than a political leader; he is a righteous judge and a unifying figure for all peoples. This clearly describes the Messiah.

Thus, Isaiah 11 expands the Davidic promise from national restoration to global transformation under the rule of a divinely anointed descendant of Jesse.

The Hebrew word for Branch in this verse is “Netzer.” Netzer is different from “Tsemach.” Isaiah 11:1 is the only Branch prophecy to use the word “Netzer.”

The Hebrew name for the city of “Nazareth,” the city where Jesus the Messiah was raised, also comes from the same root as “Netzer.” As “Netzer” and “Nazareth” are similar sounding words in Hebrew, the prophecy and its fulfillment seem to be connected through a play on words.

Isaiah 11:1 likely provides the basis for Matthew’s fulfillment claim:

“and [Joseph, Mary, and Jesus] came and lived in a city called Nazareth. This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophets: ‘He shall be called a Nazarene.’”
(Matthew 2:23)

Even though Isaiah 11:1 is the only Branch prophecy to use the word “Netzer,” the imagery of the Branch connects it to the other Branch prophecies. Moreover, Matthew’s plural “spoken by the prophets” (Matthew 2:23) is a reference to the prophetic theme of the Branch which is found in multiple prophets, not a single prophecy.

The play on words that fulfilled Isaiah 11:1 might explain why the scribes who knew the prophecies well—missed this one.

The religious leaders said: “You are not also from Galilee, are you? Search, and see that no prophet arises out of Galilee” (John 7:52). (The city of Nazareth was located in the district of Galilee.)

And as Isaiah 11:1-10 predicted:

The Branch/Jesus will have the Spirit of the LORD upon Him.
(Isaiah 11:2, Luke 3:22, 4:18)

The Branch/Jesus will delight in the fear of the LORD and will not act according to His personal desires.
(Isaiah 11:3, Luke 22:42, John 5:30)

The Branch/Jesus will judge the world with righteousness.
(Isaiah 11:4-5, Matthew 25:31-32, John 5;27, Acts 17:31)

The Branch/Jesus will bring harmony to all creation.
(Isaiah 11:6-8, Romans 8:21, Colossians 1:20)

The Branch/Jesus will not be defeated.
(Isaiah 11:9, John 16:33)

The Branch/Jesus will bring salvation to all peoples.
(Isaiah 11:10, Romans 15:12, Revelation 7:9-10)

3. Jeremiah 23:5-6

“‘Behold, the days are coming,’ declares the LORD,
“When I will raise up for David a righteous Branch;
And He will reign as king and act wisely
And do justice and righteousness in the land.
In His days Judah will be saved,
And Israel will dwell securely;
And this is His name by which He will be called,
‘The LORD our righteousness.’”
(Jeremiah 23:5-6)

Jeremiah 23:5-6 presents one of the clearest and most direct connections between the Branch and the Davidic Covenant. The “righteous Branch” is clearly a future Davidic king with divine attributes (“The LORD our righteousness”).

The LORD declares that He will raise up for David a “righteous Branch” who will reign as king and act with wisdom, executing justice and righteousness in the land. This affirms the enduring promise made in 2 Samuel 7:12-16—that a descendant of David would sit on the throne and that his kingdom would be established forever.

The imagery of raising up a Branch suggests new growth from a royal line that appeared to have been cut off, emphasizing both continuity and divine renewal. Amid a backdrop of corrupt kings and national instability, this promise of a future, faithful Davidic king stands as a beacon of hope for Israel.

Upon Judah’s exile to Babylon, there was no king and the throne of David appeared to come to an end. It seemed that God had not kept His promise to David that he would have a descendant on the throne forever. But this prophecy says that God would “raise up a righteous Branch for David” (Jeremiah 23:5) who would establish justice, security, and salvation for Judah.

Jeremiah made this prophecy before the kingdom of Judah fell in order to provide hope and to assure the faithful that God does not break His promises, even when it might appear otherwise.

The figure described in Jeremiah 23 not only fulfills the covenantal expectations of a just and eternal Davidic ruler, but also elevates the identity of this king to a remarkable level. His reign will bring security to both Judah and Israel, and He will bear the name “The LORD our righteousness” (Jeremiah 23:6) a title that attributes divine righteousness to His rule.

This suggests that the promised Branch is more than a political savior—He embodies the righteousness of God and provides salvation to His people. In the midst of national failure and prophetic rebuke, this prophecy points forward to a future Messiah whose reign will not be characterized by compromise or corruption, but by the perfect justice and righteousness that only God can establish through His chosen king.

Jesus, the Messiah, is the righteous Branch whom the LORD raised up for David (Luke 1:31-32) who brings salvation to His people (Matthew 1:21).

The Hebrew word for “Branch” in this passage is “Tsemach.”

4. Jeremiah 33:15-16

“In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch of David to spring forth;
and He shall execute justice and righteousness on the earth.
In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will dwell in safety;
and this is the name by which she will be called:
‘The LORD is our righteousness.’”
(Jeremiah 33:15-16)

Very similar to Jeremiah 23, this prophecy emphasizes the timing (“in those days”) and reiterates the Branch as Davidic, just, and a savior for Judah and Jerusalem.

The Hebrew word for “Branch” in this passage is “Semah,” which is different from “Tsemach” and “Netzer.”

5. Zechariah 3:8

“Now listen, Joshua the high priest, you and your friends who are sitting in front of you—indeed they are men who are a symbol, for behold, I am going to bring in My servant the Branch.”
(Zechariah 3:8)

The Branch here is called “My servant,” an expression that echoes the Servant Songs of Isaiah (e.g., Isaiah 42, 49, 50, 53). The term “My servant” is the term for the Messiah used in the Isaiah Servant Songs.

Thus, this verse in Zechariah connects the Branch with the Messiah. This verse adds to the Davidic kingship the symbol of Joshua the priest, indicating that the Messiah will also have a priestly function. Zechariah 3:8 introduces the idea of a Messiah who is both King and Priest. Jesus was a High Priest according to the order of Melchizedek, who is recorded in the Bible as being both priest and king, but without having record of beginning or end, symbolizing that Jesus, the Messiah, was God made flesh (Hebrews 6:20).

Jesus (the Messiah) is a:

Servant (Matthew 20:28)
King (Revelation 17:14)
Priest (Hebrews 7:26-27)

The Hebrew word for “Branch” in this passage is “Semah.” The name “Joshua,” the priest in Zechariah 3:8, is the Hebrew form of the Greek “Iesous” which English translators transliterate as “Jesus.” Therefore Joshua, the symbol of Messiah as a priest, also provides a symbol of the very name of the Messiah.

6. Zechariah 6:12-13

“Then say to him, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts, “Behold, a man whose name is Branch, for He will branch out from where He is; and He will build the temple of the LORD. Yes, it is He who will build the temple of the LORD, and He who will bear the honor and sit and rule on His throne. Thus, He will be a priest on His throne, and the counsel of peace will be between the two offices.”’”
(Zechariah 6:12-13)

Zechariah 6:12-13 explicitly names the Messiah “Branch” and again emphasizes His dual role as both King and Priest.

The “Branch,” is described as one who will “branch out from where He is” (Zechariah 6:12) and undertake the building of the temple of the LORD. It could be that this verse was fulfilled in part when God took on human form. Jesus called His body a “temple” (John 2:21).

This Branch is both royal and priestly: bearing honor and sitting on a throne while also serving as a priest. The dual roles of king and priest in one person are highly significant, especially when seen through the lens of the Davidic Covenant.

Obviously, David was the king of Israel and it is his descendant who will sit on the throne forever (2 Samuel 7:12-16). And though David himself was not a priest, he also prepared the building of God’s temple (1 Chronicles 22:5).

Zechariah 6:12-13 anticipates a future descendant who will uniquely unite both offices, offices which were historically divided between the tribe of Judah (kings) and the tribe of Levi (priests). This descendant will fulfill royal expectations while also mediating spiritual access to God.

As mentioned already, Jesus is both a king and a priest.

The Hebrew word for “Branch” in this passage is “Semah.”

These six “Branch” prophecies of the Old Testament form a rich and unified thread woven through the writings of Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Zechariah. Though delivered across different historical moments and audiences, each prophecy points forward to a singular hope: a divinely appointed leader who will arise in righteousness, restore justice, reign in peace, and renew the people of God.

Rooted in the promises of the Davidic Covenant, these passages not only preserve the expectation of an enduring kingly line but also expand it, revealing a figure who combines the roles of king and priest, who brings salvation to Israel and extends peace to all nations. Together, these prophecies offer a powerful portrait of the Messiah as the Branch—a shoot from seemingly cut-down roots through whom God will fulfill His covenantal promises and bring everlasting restoration.

And Jesus is the Branch of which these prophecies speak.