Jesse
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Jesse, Eshai or Yishai, (Hebrew: יִשַׁי, Modern Yishay Tiberian Yīšáy, meaning "God exists" or "God's gift"; Arabic: يَسَّى Yessi; Greek: Ἰεσσαί Iessai; Latin: Isai, Jesse) is the father of the David, who became the king of the Israelites. His son David is sometimes called simply "Son of Jesse" (ben yishay).
Jesse was the son of Obed and the grandson of Ruth. He lived in Bethlehem, in Judah, and was a farmer and breeder of sheep.[1] Jesse is important in Judaism because he was the father of the most famous king of Israel, David. He is important in Christianity, in part because he is mentioned in the genealogy of Jesus.
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[edit] The Tree of Jesse
From the eleventh century the Tree of Jesse has been portrayed in religious illuminations, manuscripts, wall paintings, wood and stone carvings (including a grave marker), 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.
[edit] Isaiah prophecies
The name Jesse is referenced in the Old Testament, and in particular the passages of Isaiah, Chapter 11, Verses 1-3:
| “ | 1. And there shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots. 2. And the Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD. 3. And his delight shall be in the fear of the LORD. He shall not judge by what his eyes see, or decide by what his ears hear;[2] | ” |
Also Chapter 11, Verse 10:
| “ | 10. In that day the root of Jesse shall stand as an ensign to the peoples; him shall the nations seek, and his dwellings shall be glorious.[3] | ” |
These are a few of the verses regarded by Christians as prophecy of the advent of Jesus, who they consider to be the Christ,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
[edit] References and notes
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