"Jesse, father of David (1 Sam. 16), pr. name, indecl., Mt. 1:5f.; Lk. 3:32; Acts 13:22; Rom. 15:12*"
Definition and meaning
Jesse, father of David (1 Sam. 16), pr. name, indecl., Mt. 1:5f.; Lk. 3:32; Acts 13:22; Rom. 15:12*
In the original Greek the word is written: Ἰεσσαί
Historical context
Rome had controlled Judea since 63 BC. Herod the Great rebuilt the Temple into one of the most magnificent structures in the ancient world — and simultaneously murdered members of his own family. The common people paid multiple layers of taxation and were politically powerless. Into that world a carpenter from Galilee began teaching that the kingdom of God had arrived.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of iessai (G2421) across the King James Bible.
And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse;
And Jesse begat David the king; and David the king begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Urias;
Which was the son of Jesse, which was the son of Obed, which was the son of Booz, which was the son of Salmon, which was the son of Naasson,
And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.
And again, Esaias saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust.
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Common questions
Strong's G2421 (iessai) is a Greek word that means: Jesse, father of David (1 Sam. 16), pr. name, indecl., Mt. 1:5f.; Lk. 3:32; Acts 13:22; Rom. 15:12* It appears 5 times in the King James Bible.
The word iessai (G2421) appears 5 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G2421 is iessai, a Greek word defined as: Jesse, father of David (1 Sam. 16), pr. name, indecl., Mt. 1:5f.; Lk. 3:32; Acts 13:22; Rom. 15:12*. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
iessai is a Greek word found in the New Testament.