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Introduction
Understanding Greek words is essential for Biblical studies, as it provides deeper insights into the cultural and theological context of the scriptures. The Greek word Ἰεσσαί (Iessai), translated as “Jesse,” holds particular significance in Biblical interpretation. Jesse is a prominent figure in both the Old and New Testaments, being the father of King David and thus an ancestor of Jesus Christ. This word appears in genealogical contexts that underline the Messianic lineage and its importance in understanding prophecies and the fulfillment of God’s covenant promises.
Key Information
- The Greek Word: Ἰεσσαί, transliterated as Iessai [yeh-sigh].
- Etymology: Derived from the Hebrew name יִשַׁי (Yishai), which is believed to mean “God exists” or “God’s gift.”
- Part of Speech: Proper noun, masculine.
- Grammatical Details: Indeclinable noun in Greek; it retains the same form across different cases.
- The F.O.G Word Choice: Coming Soon.
Primary Meanings
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- Jesse: The father of David, the shepherd boy who became king of Israel. Jesse is frequently mentioned in the genealogies of Jesus Christ, emphasizing His Davidic lineage.
Similar Words: Δαβίδ (David) [da-VEED], which refers to Jesse’s son, King David, is closely related in usage since both names frequently appear together in Biblical genealogies. Another related term is Ῥίζα Δαβίδ (Rhíza David) [HRIE-za da-VEED], meaning “Root of David,” which metaphorically connects to Jesse as the “root” of David’s lineage.
Further Insights: Ἰεσσαί is an indeclinable noun in Greek, which means it does not change form regardless of its grammatical case or function in a sentence. This characteristic is typical for foreign names transliterated into Greek, particularly those of Hebrew origin.
Lexicon Insights
BDAG: The lexicon identifies Ἰεσσαί as the Greek transliteration of Jesse, David’s father, and references its occurrences in genealogical lists within the New Testament. It underscores its importance in affirming Jesus’ Davidic lineage.
Thayers: Thayer’s lexicon emphasizes that Ἰεσσαί is a proper noun used to refer to the father of David. It also notes its origin from Hebrew and its role in Biblical genealogies, particularly in the context of Messianic prophecies.
Vines: Vine’s Expository Dictionary connects Ἰεσσαί to the Old Testament figure Jesse and elaborates on its significance in the New Testament genealogies that establish Jesus Christ as the prophesied descendant of David.
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LSJ: The Liddell-Scott-Jones lexicon identifies Ἰεσσαί as a transliterated name from Hebrew, focusing on its historical and cultural relevance as the patriarch of David’s line, which is central to the Messianic theme in both Jewish and Christian traditions.
Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance: Strong’s Concordance (G2421) defines Ἰεσσαί as “Jesse,” the father of King David. It provides a reference list of where this word appears in the New Testament, highlighting its significance in the genealogy of Jesus Christ.
Related Scripture References
- Matthew 1:5-6: “Salmon was the father of Boaz by Rahab; Boaz was the father of Obed by Ruth; and Obed the father of Jesse [Ἰεσσαί]. Jesse was the father of David the king.”
- Luke 3:32: “The son of Jesse [Ἰεσσαί], the son of Obed, the son of Boaz, the son of Salmon, the son of Nahshon.”
- Acts 13:22: “After He had removed him, He raised up David to be their king, concerning whom He also testified and said, ‘I have found David the son of Jesse [Ἰεσσαί], a man after My heart, who will do all My will.'”
Classical Usage
| Author | Name of Work | English Text |
|---|---|---|
| Septuagint | 1 Samuel 16:1 | “And the Lord said to Samuel, ‘How long will you mourn for Saul? Fill your horn with oil, and go; I am sending you to Jesse (Ἰεσσαί) the Bethlehemite, for I have chosen a king for Myself among his sons.'” |
| Septuagint | 1 Chronicles 2:12 | “Boaz begot Obed, and Obed begot Jesse (Ἰεσσαί), and Jesse begot Eliab his firstborn, and Abinadab the second, Shimea the third.” |
| Septuagint | Isaiah 11:1 | “A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse (Ἰεσσαί); from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.” |
Summary of Ἰεσσαί (G2421)
The Greek word Ἰεσσαί (Iessai) is the Greek transliteration of the Hebrew name “Jesse,” the father of King David. This name is crucial in Biblical genealogies, particularly in Matthew and Luke, where it emphasizes Jesus’ Messianic lineage from the house of David. Understanding Ἰεσσαί provides insight into the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah and the continuity of God’s covenant promises from the Old to the New Testament.
Did You Know?
- Did You Know? The name Ἰεσσαί connects the Old Testament patriarch Jesse directly to the New Testament genealogy of Jesus, establishing a continuous link between the covenants.
- Did You Know? Jesse, or Ἰεσσαί, is celebrated in the Christian tradition during Advent through the “Jesse Tree,” which symbolizes the genealogy of Christ.
- Did You Know? In the Hebrew Bible, Jesse is often depicted as a humble farmer, which aligns with the Biblical theme of God choosing the unexpected to fulfill His purposes.
This comprehensive overview of Ἰεσσαί (G2421) highlights its significance in Biblical studies, theology, and its importance in understanding the continuity of God’s redemptive plan through the lineage of David.
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