of Hebrew origin (יִשַׁי); Jessæ (i.e. Jishai), an Israelite:--Jesse.
Transliteration:Iessaí
Pronunciation:es-es-sah'-ee
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek lemma Ἰεσσαί (Iessaí), transliterated as Jessæ, is a proper noun derived directly from the Hebrew יִשַׁי (Yishai), Strong's `{{H3448}}`. Its core meaning is simply the name of an individual, Jesse, the father of King David. Unlike common nouns or verbs, proper nouns like Jesse do not possess a broad semantic range in the same way. Its significance lies entirely in its referential quality: it designates a specific person who played a pivotal role in the lineage of Israel's kings and, ultimately, the Messiah. While the Hebrew name Yishai may carry connotations of "gift" or "existent," within the New Testament context, Ἰεσσαί functions purely as a genealogical marker, identifying the progenitor of the Davidic line.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The name Ἰεσσαί appears predominantly in the New Testament within the genealogical accounts of Jesus Christ, underscoring His descent from King David.
* **[[Matthew 1:5]]-[[Matthew 1:6]]**: Jesse is listed as the father of David in Matthew's genealogy of Jesus, which traces the lineage through Joseph. This placement is crucial for establishing Jesus' legal claim to the Davidic throne.
* **[[Luke 3:32]]**: Similarly, Luke's genealogy, which traces Jesus' lineage through Mary, also identifies Jesse as David's father. The consistent inclusion in both genealogies highlights Jesse's foundational position in the messianic lineage.
* **[[Acts 13:22]]**: In his sermon in Antioch of Pisidia, Paul recounts God's historical dealings with Israel, stating, "After removing Saul, he raised up David to be their king, concerning whom he testified: 'I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart, who will do everything I want him to do.'" Here, Jesse is identified as the father of David, emphasizing David's divine election and the humble origins from which God chose Israel's greatest king.
* **[[Romans 15:12]]**: Paul quotes from the Old Testament prophet Isaiah, stating, "And again, Isaiah says, 'The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; in him the Gentiles will hope.'" This is a direct reference to Isaiah 11:10, which prophesies the coming of the Messiah from David's lineage. This passage is particularly significant as it extends Jesse's importance beyond a mere genealogical link to a prophetic symbol of the Messiah's origin and universal reign.
In each occurrence, Jesse's name serves to anchor the messianic hope in the historical reality of David's family, affirming the fulfillment of God's covenant promises.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most directly related word is the Hebrew original, יִשַׁי (Yishai), Strong's `{{H3448}}`, from which Ἰεσσαί is transliterated. The conceptual connections are profoundly significant:
* **David (Δαυίδ, Strong's `{{G1138}}`):** Jesse is intrinsically linked to his son David, the great king of Israel and the progenitor of the royal line from which the Messiah was prophesied to come.
* **Lineage/Genealogy (γενεαλογία, Strong's `{{G1076}}`):** Jesse's primary function in the New Testament is to establish the genealogical link between Abraham, David, and Jesus, confirming Jesus' rightful claim as the Christ.
* **Messiah (Μεσσίας, Strong's `{{G3323}}`):** As the father of David, Jesse is a crucial figure in the messianic prophecy, particularly the "Root of Jesse" prophecies (Isaiah 11:1, 10).
* **Covenant (διαθήκη, Strong's `{{G1242}}`):** Jesse's presence in the genealogies underscores the fulfillment of the Davidic Covenant (2 Samuel 7), promising an eternal dynasty through David's seed.
* **Root of Jesse (ῥίζα Ἰεσσαί):** This specific phrase, drawn from Isaiah 11:1 and 10 and quoted in Romans 15:12, is a powerful messianic title for Christ, emphasizing His origin from David's family and His ultimate authority over all nations.
### Theological Significance
Jesse's theological significance is primarily derived from his role as the father of King David and, consequently, his place in the messianic lineage of Jesus Christ. He is not a figure known for his own deeds or words, but rather for his unique position as a vital link in God's redemptive plan.
1. **Messianic Lineage:** Jesse's most profound theological importance lies in his connection to the "Root of Jesse" prophecy. Isaiah 11:1 states, "A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit." This prophecy, fulfilled in Jesus, signifies that the Messiah would arise from the seemingly defunct or "stumped" royal line of David, bringing new life and hope.
2. **Fulfillment of Prophecy:** The explicit mention of Jesse in the New Testament genealogies (Matthew and Luke) and in Paul's sermon (Acts) and epistle (Romans) serves to affirm that Jesus Christ is indeed the promised Messiah, the "son of David," and thus, the descendant of Jesse, as prophesied.
3. **Divine Sovereignty and Humility:** Jesse, a relatively obscure figure from Bethlehem, represents the humble origins from which God often chooses to work His greatest purposes. His son David, the youngest and least expected, was chosen by God, and from this same humble lineage came the Savior of the world. This underscores God's sovereign choice and His ability to work through seemingly ordinary individuals to accomplish extraordinary ends.
4. **Inclusion of Gentiles:** The prophecy of the "Root of Jesse" in Romans 15:12 explicitly states that "in him the Gentiles will hope." This expands Jesse's theological significance beyond Jewish lineage to encompass the universal scope of Christ's salvation, demonstrating that the Messiah's reign extends to all nations, fulfilling God's promise to Abraham.
### Summary
The Greek word Ἰεσσαί (Iessaí) refers to Jesse, the father of King David. Though not a prominent actor in the biblical narrative himself, his identity is critically important as a foundational link in the genealogical chain leading to Jesus Christ. His consistent appearance in the New Testament genealogies of Matthew and Luke, along with direct references in Acts and Romans, underscores his pivotal role in establishing Jesus' legitimate claim to the Davidic throne and fulfilling the ancient prophecies of the Messiah. The theological concept of the "Root of Jesse" (Isaiah 11:1, 10; Romans 15:12) elevates his significance from a mere ancestor to a symbolic representation of the Messiah's Davidic origin and universal reign. Jesse stands as a silent but indispensable figure, testifying to God's faithfulness in bringing forth His promised Deliverer from the humble, yet divinely chosen, lineage of David.
TRV