Root
'The dried up root,' as in Hosea 9:16, 17, signifies charity which could not bear fruit.
(Referencat: Arcana Coelestia 1801; Malachi 4:1)
Arcana Coelestia #1801
1801. 'Behold, the word of Jehovah came to him' means a reply, to the effect that the heir will not be that which forms the external part of the Church but that which forms the internal, as is clear from what follows. 'The word of Jehovah' or His reply, that is, consolation. 1
Fusnotat:
1. The Latin text is confused or incomplete at this point.