Israel Is The Root

Israel is the root: proving the foundation of the covenant people

There is confusion today about what Paul meant by the "root" in Romans 11. Many assume the root refers to the Messiah, but a careful reading shows that the root is Israel, specifically the covenant made with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Paul draws this imagery from the Hebrew prophets, who consistently describe Israel as the olive tree and the patriarchs as the source of its strength.

The Messiah is not the root. He is the vine. He is the connection point that gives believers, including Gentiles, access to the nourishing promises given to Israel (Esra'elawi). The Gentiles, described as wild branches, are not their own tree. They are grafted into the one that already exists. That tree is Israel.

Paul defends Israel’s place in the covenant

Romans 11:1“I say then, Hath Yahuah cast away his people? Yah forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.”

Paul makes it clear. Israel has not been rejected. He is speaking about the physical nation, not a metaphor. The rest of the chapter builds on this foundation and explains how Gentiles can participate in Israel’s covenant without replacing it.

Gentiles are wild branches grafted into Israel’s tree

Romans 11:17-18“And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.”

The tree is Israel. The root is the patriarchs and the promises given to them. The wild branches are Gentiles who believe. They do not become the tree. They are added to it. Paul warns them not to boast. They are being supported by something older and greater than themselves.

Messiah is the vine, not the root

John 15:5“I am the vine, ye are the branches. He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.”

Yahusha is the vine. He is the one who connects both natural and wild branches to the tree. He does not replace the tree or the root. He is the living connection. The life flows from the root, through the vine, into the branches.

The covenant promises were given to Israel

Romans 9:4-5“Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of Yahuah, and the promises;Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Messiah came, who is over all, Yah blessed for ever. Amen.”

The blessings do not come from the Gentiles. They come through Israel. The law, the promises, the adoption, and even the Messiah Himself were all given to Israel first. Gentiles benefit only by joining themselves to what was already established.

The prophets identified Israel as the olive tree

Jeremiah 11:16“Yahuah called thy name, A green olive tree, fair, and of goodly fruit. With the noise of a great tumult he hath kindled fire upon it, and the branches of it are broken.”

This is the exact language Paul uses in Romans 11. He is not inventing a new idea. He is continuing the message already found in the prophets. Israel is the olive tree. Some of its own branches were broken off, but the tree itself remains.

Gentiles were once strangers to Israel’s covenant

Ephesians 2:11-13“Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh...That at that time ye were without Messiah, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without Yahuah in the world.But now in Messiah Yahusha ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Messiah.”

Gentiles were on the outside. They were strangers to the covenant and alien to the nation. Through the Messiah, they are brought near. They are not made into Israel, but they are given access by attaching to Israel’s promises through belief and obedience.

Gentiles must attach themselves to Israel

Zechariah 8:23“Thus saith Elohim of hosts; In those days it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you. For we have heard that Yahuah is with you.”

This is one of the clearest examples in scripture. The nations must take hold of an Israelite. They do not find their own path. They do not create their own version of the covenant. They ask to go with Israel because they know Yahuah is with them. Gentiles must recognize Israel’s place as the foundation and priestly nation. They follow, they do not lead. Their blessings come by way of Israel, not apart from them.

This is what Paul meant when he said the root supports the branches. Gentiles receive the blessings because they are grafted into the tree that already existed. They are not an independent planting. They depend on the root that came before them.

The nations must serve Israel

Isaiah 60:12“For the nation and kingdom that will not serve thee shall perish. Yea, those nations shall be utterly wasted.”

This is another direct statement from Yahuah. Nations that refuse to recognize Israel’s leadership and role in the covenant will be destroyed. There is no room here for pride. Gentiles are allowed to join, but they must submit to Yahuah’s order.

The remnant within Israel remains

Romans 9:6-8“Not as though the word of Yahuah hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel.Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children. But, In Isaac shall thy seed be called.That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of Yahuah. But the children of the promise are counted for the seed.”

Paul is not saying that Gentiles become Israel. He is saying that only a remnant within Israel will be counted as the faithful. Israel still holds the covenant. But only the obedient receive the full inheritance. Gentiles who believe are added to this remnant, not made into a new nation.

Conclusion

Israel is the root. The tree is the covenant family. The patriarchs are the foundation. The promises flow through that root. The Messiah is the vine who connects believers to that tree. Gentiles are wild branches. They do not form a new tree. They are grafted into Israel’s covenant and receive the blessings only because they are connected to the root.

The structure remains as it always has:

• The root is Israel’s covenant legacy through the patriarchs

• The tree is the nation of Israel

• The vine is Messiah Yahusha

• The nourishing sap is the promises, law, and favor of Yahuah

• The natural branches are Israelites

• The wild branches are Gentiles who believe and submit

The Gentiles must cling to the Israelites. They must humble themselves and ask to go with them. This is the only way to receive the blessings.

The root supports the Gentiles. The Gentiles do not support the root.