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Jesse or Yishay (Hebrew: יִשַׁי, Yee-šhay, meaning "God (Yahweh) 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 is a Bethlehemite. 1
Jesse is important in Judaism because he is 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.
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His children
According to the Bible Jesse had as many as eight sons: Eliab, Abinadab, Shammah, Nethanel, Raddai, Ozem and David. 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 King 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."
David's two sisters, Zeruiah and Abigail, are never called daughters of Jesse in the masoretic text, but daughters of Nahash. (1 Chronicles 2:13-16; 2 Samuel 17:25)citation needed. Hence, it seems that they were daughters of David's mother from an earlier marriage with one certain Nahashcitation needed. A few readers have thought that Nahash could have been either another name for Jesse, or the name of David's mother. But this is considered less likelycitation needed.
The name Jesse is thought to be a male shortening of the name Jessica, however, it is Jessica that is the female variation of Jesse.
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:
| “ | And there shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots...2 | ” |
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 descendents of David.
See also
References and notes
- ^ 1 Samuel 16:1
- ^ Isaiah, Chapter 11. The Holy Bible, Revised Standard Version.
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External links
- [1] Tree of Jesse Directory.
Wikipedia content modification information:
- This page was last modified on 18 November 2008, at 03:58.
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