Jesse

Detail of Jesse from the Stained Glass window of All Saints Church, Hove, Sussex, England.

Jesse or Yishay (Hebrew: יִשַׁי, Modern Yishai Tiberian Yīšạy, meaning "God Exists" or "God's gift") is the father of the Biblical David, who became the king of the nation of Israel. His son David is sometimes called simply "Son of Jesse" (ben yishay).

Jesse was the son of Obed and he was the grandson of Ruth. He was a Bethlehemite. ^[1]

Jesse lived in Bethlehem, in Judah, and was a farmer and breeder of sheep.

Jesse is important in Judaism because he was the father of one of the most famous kings of Israel. Jesse is important in Christianity because, in part, he is mentioned in the genealogy of Jesus Christ.

His children

According to the Bible Jesse had seven sons: Eliab, Abinadab, Shimeah, Nethanel, Raddai, Ozem and David. (1 Chronicles 2:13-16, 2 Samuel 13:3)

The Bible also says that David had two sisters, Zeruiah and Abigail. However, they are never called daughters of Jesse in the masoretic text, but daughters of Nahash. (2 Samuel 17:25)^{[citation needed]}. This has lead to speculation as to whether they were daughters of David's mother from an earlier marriage with one certain Nahash.^{[citation needed]} On the other hand, some believe that Nahash could be another name for Jesse, or the name of David's mother.^{[citation needed]}.

The Bible says that Eliab was apparently tall and had fair features, but not the proper heart to be king of Israel (1 Samuel 16:7). "Do not consider his appearance or his height...the Lord looks at the heart[;]" David, the youngest, would become the second king of Israel after Saul. He is described in 1 Samuel 16:12 as "ruddy, with a fine appearance and handsome features[,]" and later as "a brave man and a warrior," who "speaks well and is a fine-looking man."

Jesse as a given name

The name, a Hebrew name, is used widely, but sparingly. The name Jessica is a European female derivative of the Hebrew original.

The Tree of Jesse

From the eleventh century the Tree of Jesse has been portrayed in religious illuminations, manuscripts, wall paintings, wood carvings and stone including a tomb stone; stained glass windows, floor tiles and embroidery. In the representation of the Tree, it is usual for Jesse to be portrayed recumbent with a tree rising from his body, and the ancestors of Christ portrayed in its branches with Prophets and Christ at the summit. The earliest illustrated manuscripts did not always depict Jesse or Christ. Not all illustrations include the same number of characters; this depends upon the size of the area provided, such as seven light windows or three light windows.

The name Jesse is referenced in the Old Testament, and in particular the passage in Isaiah, Chapter 11, verses 1-3:

This is regarded by Christians as a prophecy of Jesus, who Christians consider to be the Messiah.

Geographical usage

The "Geza of Jesse" is a plateau located just north of the valley of Jezreel in Israel said to have been originally cleared and settled by descendants of David.

See also

• Tree of Jesse

References and notes

External links

• Tree of Jesse Directory