Original Word: יִשַׁי
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Yishay
Pronunciation: yee-SHAI
Phonetic Spelling: (yee-shah'-ee)
KJV: Jesse
NASB: Jesse
Word Origin: [from the same as H3426 (יֵשׁ - there)]

1. extant
2. Jishai, David's father

Jesse

By Aramaic Iyshay {ee-shah'-ee}; from the same as yesh; extant; Jishai, David's father -- Jesse.

see HEBREW yesh

Word Origin
of uncertain derivation
Definition
father of David
NASB Translation
Jesse (42).

יִשַׁי₄₁ proper name, masculine father of David (etymology dubious; Ol^{§ 277 f.} conjecture יֵשׁ יָהּ; We^{1Samuel 14:49} ישׁי = אישׁי = אבישׁי (but see this)) — יִשַׁי 1 Samuel 16:3 29t.; יִשָׁ֑י 1 Samuel 16:19 10t.; ᵐ5 Ιεσσαι; (וְ)אִישַׁי 1 Chronicles 2:13; — יִשַׁי בֵּיתֿ הַלַּחְמִי jesse the Bethlehemite 1 Samuel 16:1,18 (׳בֶּןיֿשׁי וגו, of David), 1 Samuel 17:58 ; ישׁי also 1 Samuel 16:3 14t. 1 Samuel 16:17; son of עוֺבֵד according to Ruth 4:17,22 (twice in verse) = 1 Chronicles 2:12; דָּוִ(י)ד בֶּןיֿשׁי 2 Samuel 23:1; 1 Chronicles 10:14; 1 Chronicles 29:26; Psalm 72:20; אֱלִיאָב בֶּןיֿשׁי2Chronicles 11:18; elsewhere בֶּןיֿשׁי alone = David, 1 Samuel 20:27,30,31; 1 Samuel 22:7,8,9,13; 1 Samuel 25:10; 2 Samuel 20:1; 1 Kings 12:16> = 2Chron 10:16; 1 Chronicles 12:18; גֶּזַע יִשָׁ֑י Isaiah 11:1; שֹׁרֶשׁ יְשֵׁי Isaiah 11:10 of Jesse as ancestor of future (Messianic) king.

Historical and Genealogical Background

Jesse, son of Obed and grandson of Boaz and Ruth (Ruth 4:17, 22), lived in Bethlehem of Judah (1 Samuel 16:1). Scripture identifies him as an Ephrathite (1 Samuel 17:12), affirming his rootedness in the tribal allotment of Judah. Through him the royal and messianic line is traced, placing Jesse at the pivotal intersection between the time of the judges and the establishment of Israel’s monarchy. His eight sons and at least two daughters (1 Chronicles 2:13-16) formed a large household whose youngest, David, would become Israel’s greatest king.

Narrative Role in the Books of Samuel

Jesse appears most prominently in 1 Samuel 16–20, where Samuel is commanded, “Fill your horn with oil and go. I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem, for I have selected for Myself a king from his sons” (1 Samuel 16:1). In the anointing scene Jesse presents seven sons before Samuel, yet none is chosen until David is summoned from shepherding (1 Samuel 16:10-12).

His ongoing presence surfaces in military narratives: Jesse sends David with provisions to his older brothers at the Valley of Elah (1 Samuel 17:17-18) and later receives tokens of David’s friendship with Jonathan (1 Samuel 20:27, 29). Saul’s question, “Whose son is that youth?” and Abner’s reply, “As surely as you live, O king, I do not know” (1 Samuel 17:55-56), underscore Jesse’s status as the father whose name would soon be eclipsed by his son’s fame.

Jesse and the Royal Line of David

Once David is enthroned, the phrase “son of Jesse” becomes a reverent marker of royal legitimacy (2 Samuel 23:1) yet also a term of derision on the lips of Saul (1 Samuel 22:7-8) and Sheba son of Bichri (2 Samuel 20:1). The genealogies of Judah in 1 Chronicles 2:13-17 reinforce the enduring place of Jesse in the covenant lineage, linking him to David’s mighty men (1 Chronicles 12:18) and the assembly’s prayers for Solomon (1 Chronicles 29:26-28). The “house of Jesse” therefore becomes synonymous with the Davidic dynasty and God’s covenant promise (2 Samuel 7:12-16).

Messianic Significance: The Root and Branch of Jesse

Isaiah transforms Jesse’s memory into prophetic hope:

“Then a shoot will spring up from the stump of Jesse, and a Branch from his roots will bear fruit” (Isaiah 11:1).

“In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will seek Him, and His resting place will be glorious” (Isaiah 11:10).

These twin images—Branch and Root—portray the Messiah as both descendant and source, grounding the future king in Jesse’s humbled line while revealing His universal reign. Jeremiah echoes this anticipation in the righteous “Branch,” and Zechariah amplifies it in the royal Priest-King (Jeremiah 33:15; Zechariah 6:12-13).

Liturgical and Poetic References

Psalm 72 (superscribed “Of Solomon”) invokes the dynasty that began with Jesse, praying for worldwide dominion and justice—a prayer ultimately fulfilled in the Messianic King. Psalm 78:70-71 recalls God’s choice:

“He chose David His servant and took him from the sheepfolds; from tending the ewes He brought him to be shepherd of Jacob His people.”

These worship texts keep Jesse’s memory alive in Israel’s communal praise, linking humble origins with divine election.

New Testament Allusions and Fulfillment

Matthew traces Jesus’ legal genealogy through “Jesse the father of David the king” (Matthew 1:5-6), while Luke’s physical line also passes through “the son of Jesse” (Luke 3:32). Paul cites Isaiah 11:10, declaring, “The Root of Jesse will appear; He who arises to rule over the Gentiles, in Him the Gentiles will hope” (Romans 15:12). Thus the New Testament identifies Jesus Christ as both the Branch growing from Jesse’s line and the Root supporting it (Revelation 22:16).

Theological Themes and Practical Reflections

1. Divine Election from Obscurity: Jesse’s youngest son is exalted, affirming God’s pattern of choosing the lowly to confound the mighty (1 Corinthians 1:27-29).
2. Covenant Continuity: Jesse anchors the promise first articulated to Abraham, narrowed to Judah (Genesis 49:10), and secured in David, culminating in Christ.
3. Hope for the Nations: The Root of Jesse signals salvation extending beyond Israel, anticipating the ingathering of Gentiles into one people of God.
4. Faithful Fatherhood: Though Jesse himself never reigns, his obedience in presenting his sons and supporting David’s early service models covenant faithfulness within the household.

Occurrences Summary

Approximately forty-two Old Testament references span Ruth, 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, 1 Kings, 1 Chronicles, Psalms, and Isaiah. Each either introduces the genealogy, narrates interactions during David’s rise, marks dynastic identity, or heralds Messianic expectation. Together they weave Jesse into the fabric of redemptive history, from Bethlehem’s pasturelands to the eternal throne of the Son of David.

וְאִישַׁ֛י וְיִשַׁ֖י ואישי וישי יִשַׁ֔י יִשַׁ֖י יִשַׁ֗י יִשַׁ֛י יִשַׁ֜י יִשַׁ֣י יִשַׁי֙ יִשַׁי֮ יִשָֽׁי׃ יִשָׁ֑י יִשָׁ֔י ישי ישי׃ לְיִשַׁ֖י לְיִשַׁי֮ לישי lə·yi·šay ləyišay leyiShai veiShai veyiShai wə’îšay wə·’î·šay wə·yi·šay wəyišay yi·šay yi·šāy yišay yišāy yiShaiInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts