Matthew 2:23 to Isaiah 11:1

NT Text: Matthew 2:23

OT Source(s):

• Isaiah 11:1 (נֵצֶר = "branch" - wordplay with Nazareth/Nazarene)
• Isaiah 53:3 (despised and rejected - thematic connection to Nazareth's low reputation)
• Possibly Judges 13:5-7 (Nazirite vow - phonetic similarity)

Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Reference Type: Echo

Connection Method(s): Promise-Fulfillment

Anchor Text: Isa 11:1-10 — A Shoot from the Stump of Jesse

Significance: No single OT text says "He shall be called a Nazarene," explaining why Matthew uses "prophets" (plural). He likely indicates either wordplay between נֵצֶר ("branch" - messianic title) and Nazareth, or thematic connection to Nazareth's despised status reflecting Isaiah 53's suffering servant. This demonstrates Matthew's sophisticated hermeneutics, recognizing that fulfillment includes verbal, thematic, and typological connections.