And the remnant that is escaped of the house of Judah shall yet again take root downward, and bear fruit upward.

2 KINGS 19:30KJV
Know the Bible

What does 2 Kings 19:30 mean?

2 Kings 19:30 promises that those left alive from Judah—the “remnant”—will once again become strong and flourish, like a plant that sends its roots deep into the ground and grows upward to bear fruit. This verse offers hope that, despite disaster, the people of Judah will recover and thrive in the future.

In this scene, the prophet Isaiah is speaking to King Hezekiah during a time when Jerusalem is threatened by the Assyrian army. The “remnant” refers to the survivors who escaped destruction. Isaiah uses the image of a plant taking root downward (growing stable and secure) and bearing fruit upward (becoming productive and prosperous) to show that Judah’s future is not lost, even after great hardship.

The Hebrew behind 2 Kings 19:30

  • “Remnant” (שְׁאָר, she’ar): This word means those who are left or have survived. It highlights that not all of Judah will be destroyed; some will remain and carry on.
  • “Take root” (שָׁרַשׁ, sharash): This verb means to send roots deep into the ground. The image suggests stability, endurance, and a new beginning for the people.
  • “Bear fruit” (פֶּרִי, peri): This word means to produce fruit or become fruitful. It points to a future where the survivors will not just exist, but will grow and prosper again.

Why 2 Kings 19:30 matters

  • 2 Kings 19:30 reassures the people of Judah that their nation’s story is not over, even after a devastating attack.
  • The verse shifts the focus from immediate survival to long-term restoration, emphasizing God’s intention for renewal and growth.
  • The plant imagery connects to other biblical themes of restoration and hope, helping readers see that hardship does not have the final word for God’s people.

Where else these words appear

“downward” Hebrew H4295 · used in 18 verses

  • Exodus 26:24 And they shall be coupled together beneath, and they shall be coupled together above the head of it unto one ring: thus shall it be for them both; they shall be for the two corners.
  • Exodus 39:20 And they made two other golden rings, and put them on the two sides of the ephod underneath, toward the forepart of it, over against the other coupling thereof, above the curious girdle of the ephod.
  • Proverbs 15:24 The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath.

“escaped” Hebrew H6413 · used in 28 verses

  • Genesis 32:8 And said, If Esau come to the one company, and smite it, then the other company which is left shall escape.
  • 2 Chronicles 30:6 So the posts went with the letters from the king and his princes throughout all Israel and Judah, and according to the commandment of the king, saying, Ye children of Israel, turn again unto the LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, and he will return to the remnant of you, that are escaped out of the hand of the kings of Assyria.
  • Isaiah 37:31 And the remnant that is escaped of the house of Judah shall again take root downward, and bear fruit upward:

“root” Hebrew H8328 · used in 32 verses

  • Deuteronomy 29:18 Lest there should be among you man, or woman, or family, or tribe, whose heart turneth away this day from the LORD our God, to go and serve the gods of these nations; lest there should be among you a root that beareth gall and wormwood;
  • Job 36:30 Behold, he spreadeth his light upon it, and covereth the bottom of the sea.
  • Isaiah 53:2 For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.

“fruit” Hebrew H6529 · used in 107 verses

  • Genesis 1:11 And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so.
  • Nehemiah 10:37 And that we should bring the firstfruits of our dough, and our offerings, and the fruit of all manner of trees, of wine and of oil, unto the priests, to the chambers of the house of our God; and the tithes of our ground unto the Levites, that the same Levites might have the tithes in all the cities of our tillage.
  • Isaiah 37:31 And the remnant that is escaped of the house of Judah shall again take root downward, and bear fruit upward: