11:1 stem of Jesse. The “rod out of the stem of Jesse” is actually a “shoot out of the stump of Jesse.” Jesse was, of course, the father of King David, so the prophecy indicates that the family “tree” coming from Jesse would be eventually be cut down (note Jeremiah 22:30). Later, a new branch would somehow rise out of the dead stump. This was fulfilled in the virgin birth of Jesus, the greater Son of David.

11:1 Branch. On the Branch, as a name of Christ, see note on Isaiah 4:2.

11:2 spirit of the LORD. The “Spirit of the LORD…of wisdom and understanding…of counsel and might…of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD” seems essentially to be a sevenfold description of the Holy Spirit, answering also to the “seven Spirits which are before His throne” (Revelation 1:4).