Biography

Jesse , or Yishai (Hebrew: יִשַׁי, Modern: Yišay, Tiberian: Yīšáy, meaning "King" or "God exists" or "God's gift"; Syriac: ܐܝܫܝ‎ Eshai; Greek: Ἰεσσαί Iessai; Latin: Isai, Jesse; Arabic: يَسَّى‎ Yassa) is a figure described in the Bible as the father of David, who became the king of the Israelites. His son David is sometimes called simply "Son of Jesse" (Ben Yishai). The role as both father of King David and ancestor of Christ has been used in various depictions in art, e.g. as the Tree of Jesse or in hymns like Behold, a Branch is growing.