(meaning uncertain; rich; powerful; my present)
Grandson of Booz and Ruth, father of King David. Jesse of the tribe of Juda, lived at Bethlehem (Ruth 4). He was an old man, when Samuel came to Bethlehem to anoint David, the new King of Israel (1 Kings 16). In the time of Saul, the family of Jesse occupied a humble condition; for David calls himself poor and unimportant (1 Kings 18). As descendant of David the Messias is called the "root of Jesse" (Isaias 11).