Page:Visions and Prophecies of Zechariah (Baron, David).djvu/125

 In the former prophets we find Tsemach first used as a title of Messiah by Isaiah in chap, iv., where, too, it stands in connection with the prophecy of the washing away of " the filth of the daughter of Zion " and the purg ing of the blood of Jerusalem from the midst of her," so that all that shall be left in Zion, and he that remaineth in Jerusalem, shall be called holy, " even every one that is written among the living in Jerusalem." Then Jeremiah, in chaps, xxiii. and xxxiii. 15, uses the term Tsemakh Tsaddik, " the Branch of Righteousness," or " Righteous Branch," as a designation of the Divine King who should spring out of David's line, in whose days Judah shall be saved, and Israel dwell safely, and whose name shall be called Jehovah Tsidkenu.

Including, therefore, the prophecies of Zechariah, we find the Messiah brought before us in the Old Testament Scriptures by this title of TsemacJi in four different aspects of His character:

(1) As the ideal King who shall reign in righteousness the Branch of David in whom shall be fulfilled all the promises made to the Davidic house (Jer. xxiii. 5, 6, xxxiii. 15, 1 6).

(2) As " My Servant the Branch " (Zech. iii. 8).

(3) As " The Man whose name is the Branch " (Zech. vi. 12).