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

Jesse or Yishay or Isai (Hebrew: יִשַׁי, Modern Yishai Tiberian Yīšạy, meaning "God Exists" or "God's gift"; Greek: Ἰεσσαί; Latin: Isai, Jesse) 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 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 the most famous king of Israel, David. Jesse is important in Christianity, in part because he is mentioned in the genealogy of Jesus Christ.

[edit] 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 name Jesse is a symbolic route to the name Sabrina.

[edit] 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.

[edit] 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.

[edit] See also

• Tree of Jesse
• List of people named Jesse

[edit] References and notes

[edit] External links

• Tree of Jesse Directory