Son of Obed, a Bethlehemite, and father of David. Little is recorded of Jesse, but his name constantly occurs in the description of David as “the son of Jesse” (Ruth 4:17,22; 1 Sam. 16:1-22; 1 Sam. 17:12-20,58; Psa. 72:20; Matt. 1:5-6; Luke 3:32). The Lord Jesus is referred to as a branch and a root of Jesse (Isa. 11:1,10; compare Rev. 22:16).