Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897)
A symbol of kings descended from royal ancestors (Ezek. 17:3, 10; Dan. 11:7); of prosperity (Job 8:16); of the Messiah, a branch out of the root of the stem of Jesse (Isa. 11:1), the “beautiful branch” (4:2), a “righteous branch” (Jer. 23:5), “the Branch” (Zech. 3:8; 6:12). Disciples are branches of the true vine (John 15:5, 6). , the song of victory shall be brought low by the destruction of Babylon and the return of the Jews from captivity. The “abominable branch” is a tree on which a malefactor has been hanged (Isa. 14:19).
The “highest branch” in Ezek. 17:3 represents Jehoiakim the king.
Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible (1898) & Schaff's Bible Dictionary
BRANCH . This word is often figuratively used by the sacred writers. Ps 80:15; John 15:5-6. It is also one of the titles of the Messiah. Isa 11:1 comp. with Isa 53:2; Zech 3:8 and Zech 6:12. The family of Jesse is represented under the figure of the stock of a tree firmly rooted, and the coming of Christ from the seed of David is represented as the shooting forth of a branch, which is here called, by way of distinction and eminence, "THE BRANCH;" for Christ, even in his common nature, far surpassed all the house of David in the dignity, power, and glory of both his person and office.