Who is…
Jesse

Meaning: firm, or a gift

Jesse is an Ephrathite (former name of Bethlehem), a son of Obed, the son of Boaz and Ruth (Ruth 4:17, 22; Matthew 1:5-6; Luke 3:32).

The prophet, Nazirite and judge Samuel traveled to Bethlehem to visit Jesse, because God instructed Samuel to anoint one of his sons as the 2nd king of Israel, with King Saul already on the throne and straying from God’s will.

Sons of Jesse

Jesse was the father of 7 sons, the youngest of whom was David (1 Chronicles 2:13-15 NASB).

  1. Eliab, Jesse’s firstborn son
  2. Abinadab
  3. Shimea

    He is also called Shimeah (2 Samuel 13:3), Shammah (1 Samuel 17:13), Shimei and Shimma (1 Chronicles 2:13).

  4. Nathaneel (aka Nethanel)
  5. Raddai (1 Chronicles 2:14)
  6. Ozem
  7. David—the youngest

Jesse was apparently a man of wealth and status at Bethlehem of Judah (1 Samuel 17:17-18, 20; Psalm 78:71).

The last reference to him is of David’s procuring for him and his wife safe refuge in Mizpah, with the permission of the king of Moab (1 Samuel 22:3).

Noted ancestor of Jesus Christ

The phrase “stem of Jesse” is used for the family of David (Isaiah 11:1), and “root of Jesse” for the Messiah (Isaiah 11:10; Rev. 5:5).

Lineage from the 1st Adam to the 2nd Adam

God → ADAMSethEnos / EnoshCainanMahalalel / MahalaleelJaredEnochMethuselahLamechNOAHShemArphaxad / ArpachshadShelahEber / Heber (father of the Hebrews) → PelegReuSerugNahorTerahAbrahamIsaacJacobJudahPerezHezronRamAmminadabNahshonSalmonBoazObedJesseKING DAVID and Queen BathshebaPrince Nathan → Mattathah → Menan / Menna → MeleaEliakim → Jonan → JosephJudahSimeonLeviMatthat → Jorim → EliezerJose (Joshua, Jesus)ErElmodamCosamAddiMelchi → Neri → ShealtielZerubbabelRhesaJoannas / JoannaJudahJosephSemeiMattathiah / MattathiasMaath → Naggai → Esli → NahumAmosMattathiah / MattathiasJosephJannaMelchiLeviMatthatHeliMARY, mother of JesusThe 2nd Adam, JESUS THE CHRIST, the God-Man (wholly God and wholly human)

Article Version: May 24, 2025