Symbolic analysis: This verse must be read as the counterpart of verse 1. In verse one the emphasis was on the branch or the shoot coming forth out of the root. That root grounded the text not only to the history of a united Israel, but very specifically to the line of the Davidic kings (and by association, the united rule, and a return to Israel’s days of glory.)
This verse begins a new section of the prophecy, where the context shifts from the person identified as the shoot to a focus on the “root.” With the standard symbological set, the “root” in verse 10 would correspond to the “stem” in verse 1. Both are in the literary position to be a reference to a lineage from which the future Messiah would come. In this verse, the root of Jesse must refer to the house of Israel, but to that righteous remnant that will be gathered in the last day. This is the righteous Israel that grows new from the old root of the historical Israel. It fits precisely with the imagery of Zenos in maintaining the root of the Olive tree.
The symbol is introduced in the first verse of this section, and then the theme of the gathering is elaborated in the following verses.
Modern Interpretation: “The Doctrine and Covenants identifies this individual as ”a descendant of Jesse, as well as of Joseph, unto whom rightly belongs the priesthood, and the keys of the kingdom, for an ensign, and for the gathering of my people in the last days.“ (D&C 113:5-6.) The apostle Paul mistakenly identified the ”root" as Christ. (Romans 15:12.) Dr. Sidney B. Sperry explained the reason for this mistake:
“Examination of Romans 15:12 demonstrates that Paul was closely following the Septuagint (LXX, Greek translation) text of Isaiah 11:10 rather than the Hebrew. As a matter of fact, the LXX version is only a paraphrase of the original Hebrew. We notice that the Greek version of Isaiah 11:1 translates the Hebrew text, ’stem of Jesse,‘ as the ’root of Jesse’ and uses the same phrase in Isaiah 11:10. Of interest is the fact that the Greek word riza(root) is used in both verses to translate different Hebrew words. Paul would be quick to discern that the ‘root of Jesse’ of the LXX text of Isaiah 11:1-5 was the Christ. And when he observed that the phrase ‘root of Jesse’ was used again in verse 10, he would naturally assume that it, too, had reference to the Christ. Hence the reason for his quotation in Romans 15:12.” (BMC, 227.)
Who, then, is the “root of Jesse?” It appears that the Prophet Joseph Smith is both the “rod” and the “root” that will come from Jesse. (See BMC, 223; DCBM 1:281; GAWI, 73-74.) He is the one upon whom the keys of the kingdom were bestowed, including the keys of the gathering of Israel. (See D&C 13:1; 27:12-13; 90:2-3; 110:11-16.) However, Victor Ludlow suggested that “Joseph Smith might not be the only ‘root of Jesse’ in these last days. Many presidents of the Church have been related to him by blood, and all have held the priesthood and the keys of the kingdom that he held. .. The ‘root of Jesse’ could also be that particular prophet who will hold the keys when Christ returns to preside personally over his kingdom. The term could even represent the office of the president of the Church. In any case, the ‘root of Jesse’ designates a great leader in the Church of Jesus Christ in this dispensation.” (IPSP, 174.) (Brewster, Isaiah Plain and Simple, p. 112.)
Scriptural analysis: The righteous Israel will be set up as an example to the world. Their righteousness, flowing from their king who is present and in their midst, will draw the gentiles to them. The “rest” is the righteous rule of this Messiah.