Firm, or a gift, a son of Obed, the son of Boaz and Ruth (Ruth 4:17, 22; Matthew 1:5, 6; Luke 3:32). He was the father of eight sons, the youngest of whom was David (1 Samuel 17:12). The phrase "stem of Jesse" is used for the family of David (Isaiah 11:1), and "root of Jesse" for the Messiah (Isaiah 11:10; Revelation 5:5). Jesse was a man apparently of wealth and position at Bethlehem (1 Samuel 17:17, 18, 20; Psalm 78:71). The last reference to him is of David's procuring for him an asylum with the king of Moab (1 Samuel 22:3).

Noah Webster's New International Dictionary of the English Language

1. (n.) Any representation or suggestion of the genealogy of Christ, in decorative art

2. (n.) A genealogical tree represented in stained glass.

3. (n.) A candlestick with many branches, each of which bears the name of some one of the descendants of Jesse; -- called also tree of Jesse.