"a root of a tree, Mt. 3:10; 13:6; met. ἔχειν ῥίζαν, or ἔχειν ῥίζαν ἐν ἑαυτῷ, to be rooted in faith, Mt. 13:21; Mk. 4:17; Lk. 8:13; met. cause, source, origin, 1 Tim. 6:10; Heb. 12:15; by synec. the trunk, stock of a tree, met. Rom. 11:16, 17, 18; met. offspring, progeny, a descen..."
Definition and meaning
a root of a tree, Mt. 3:10; 13:6; met. ἔχειν ῥίζαν, or ἔχειν ῥίζαν ἐν ἑαυτῷ, to be rooted in faith, Mt. 13:21; Mk. 4:17; Lk. 8:13; met. cause, source, origin, 1 Tim. 6:10; Heb. 12:15; by synec. the trunk, stock of a tree, met. Rom. 11:16, 17, 18; met. offspring, progeny, a descendant, Rom. 15:12; Rev. 5:5; 22:16
In the original Greek the word is written: ῥίζα
Historical context
Rome had controlled Judea since 63 BC. Herod the Great rebuilt the Temple into one of the most magnificent structures in the ancient world — and simultaneously murdered members of his own family. The common people paid multiple layers of taxation and were politically powerless. Into that world a carpenter from Galilee began teaching that the kingdom of God had arrived.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of rhiza (G4491) across the King James Bible.
And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away.
Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.
But when the sun was up, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away.
And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended.
And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots.
And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.
For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches.
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;
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Common questions
Strong's G4491 (rhiza) is a Greek word that means: a root of a tree, Mt. 3:10; 13:6; met. ἔχειν ῥίζαν, or ἔχειν ῥίζαν ἐν ἑαυτῷ, to be rooted in faith, Mt. 13:21; Mk. 4:17; Lk. 8:13; met. cause, source, origin, 1 Tim. 6:10; Heb. 12:15; by synec. the tr... It appears 16 times in the King James Bible.
The word rhiza (G4491) appears 16 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G4491 is rhiza, a Greek word defined as: a root of a tree, Mt. 3:10; 13:6; met. ἔχειν ῥίζαν, or ἔχειν ῥίζαν ἐν ἑαυτῷ, to be rooted in faith, Mt. 13:21; Mk. 4:17; Lk. 8:13; met. cause, source,. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
rhiza is a Greek word found in the New Testament.