Jesse
maleUnited KingdomMeaning: “The LORD exists; gift”
A Bethlehemite of the tribe of Judah, the father of King David, from whose family line the Messiah — the "root of Jesse" — would come.
Biography
Jesse of Bethlehem is the father of King David and a grandson of Ruth and Boaz (Ruth 4:17, 22). Though an ordinary man, he stands at a crucial point in the line of promise.
Father of a king
When Samuel came to Bethlehem to anoint a new king, Jesse presented seven sons, but God chose the eighth — young David, out keeping the sheep (1 Samuel 16:10–13). Jesse's family thus became the royal house of Judah.
The root of Jesse
Isaiah prophesied that "there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse" (Isaiah 11:1) and that "a root of Jesse… shall stand for an ensign of the people" (Isaiah 11:10) — a messianic title applied to Christ (Romans 15:12; Revelation 22:16). Jesse's name endures as shorthand for the dynasty from which the Savior came.
Life Timeline
Fathers David, his youngest son
Presents his sons to Samuel; David is anointed
On the Bible timeline
Jesse belongs to the Conquest & the Judges era (c. 1400 – 1050 BC).
- c. 1375 – 1050 BCThe Age of the Judges
Family Tree
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Themes & lessons from Jesse
Biblical themes that run through the passages where Jesse appears.
People they appear with
Places in their story
Scripture Appearances
7 verses in 5 booksRuth1 verse
Ruth 4:17
And the women her neighbours gave it a name, saying, There is a son born to Naomi; and they called his name Obed: he is the father of Jesse, the father of David.
1 Samuel2 verses
1 Samuel 16:1
And the Lord said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Beth–lehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons.
1 Samuel 16:11
And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are here all thy children? And he said, There remaineth yet the youngest, and, behold, he keepeth the sheep. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Send and fetch him: for we will not sit down till he come hither.
Isaiah2 verses
Isaiah 11:1
And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:
Isaiah 11:10
And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious.
Matthew1 verse
Matthew 1:5
And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse;
Romans1 verse
Romans 15:12
And again, Esaias saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust.
Frequently asked about Jesse
Who was Jesse in the Bible?
A Bethlehemite of the tribe of Judah, the father of King David, from whose family line the Messiah — the "root of Jesse" — would come.
What does the name Jesse mean?
The name Jesse means “The LORD exists; gift”.
What did Jesse do in the Bible?
Jesse served as farmer, shepherd-owner, of the tribe of Judah.
Who were Jesse's children?
Jesse's children include David, Eliab, Abinadab, Shammah.
Where does Jesse appear in the Bible?
Jesse is mentioned 7 times across 5 books: Ruth, 1 Samuel, Isaiah, Matthew, Romans.
What can we learn from Jesse?
The story of Jesse touches on themes of jesse, obed, doubting, first born, the — explore each to study the lessons drawn from Jesse's life.
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