"And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are here all thy children? And he said, There remaineth yet the youngest, and, behold, he keepeth the sheep."
Biblical Name · Hebrew Origin
Jesse Meaning in the Bible
Jesse
boy
Jesse means "gift" or "the LORD exists," from the Hebrew Yishai. He is a genuine King James Bible figure — the Bethlehemite whose youngest son David was anointed king (1 Samuel 16:11) — and his name marks the messianic line: "there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse" (Isaiah 11:1).
Is Jesse in the Bible?
Yes — Jesse appears in the King James Bible, including 1 Samuel 16:11.
Pronunciation:/JES-ee/
OriginHebrew
MeaningGift; Wealthy; The LORD exists
What does Jesse mean?
Jesse is a boy name of Hebrew origin meaning "Gift; Wealthy; The LORD exists". Jesse means "gift" or "the LORD exists" in Hebrew. He was the father of King David and the grandson of Ruth and Boaz. Jesse is best known for the moment when Samuel came to his house in Bethlehem to anoint one of his sons as king.
Which Bible Character Are You?
Take this free Bible personality quiz to discover which Bible character you are most like. 10 questions, instant result with a King James verse.
One of 36 free KJV quizzes — see them all.
What does Jesse mean in the Bible?
Jesse means "Gift; Wealthy; The LORD exists" and is a name of Hebrew origin. Below is what Scripture and Christian tradition attach to that meaning.
Jesse means "gift" or "the LORD exists" in Hebrew. He was the father of King David and the grandson of Ruth and Boaz. Jesse is best known for the moment when Samuel came to his house in Bethlehem to anoint one of his sons as king.
Jesse presented seven of his sons to Samuel, but God rejected each one. Only when Samuel asked, "Are here all thy children?" did Jesse mention his youngest, David, who was out tending sheep. God's choice of the overlooked youngest son became one of Scripture's most powerful demonstrations that God looks at the heart, not external qualifications.
Isaiah's prophecy of a "shoot from the stump of Jesse" (Isaiah 11:1) became a central Messianic promise. The "root of Jesse" is referenced in Romans 15:12 as a symbol of Christ's reign over all nations.
Where does Jesse appear in the Bible (KJV)?
Jesse is connected to 2 key passages in the King James Bible, beginning with 1 Samuel 16:11. Each verse is quoted in full below.
"And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots."
Take the KJV Bible with You
Download the complete King James Bible as a free PDF — all 66 books, 1,189 chapters, ready to read offline or print. No sign-up required.
What are the variants and nicknames of Jesse?
Jesse has 1 recorded variant, short form, and translation across languages and biblical traditions.
Variants & related forms
Which books of the Bible mention Jesse?
Jesse is mentioned across 5 books of the Bible. Follow any book below to read it in the KJV.
What is the spiritual meaning of Jesse?
Jesse's name — 'gift' — proved prophetically true: from his family line came the greatest Gift of all. The 'root of Jesse' reminds us that God's kingdom grows from humble, overlooked beginnings.
Related Promises of God
Promises connected to the meaning of the name Jesse:
God Promises to Be Faithful
Bible promises about God's unwavering faithfulness in every situation.
God Promises Contentment Through Him
Bible promises about finding true satisfaction and contentment in God.
God Promises to Answer Prayer
Bible promises that God hears and answers the prayers of His people.
Related Reading
Continue your study with related content from across our library:
Devotional
Hebrews 13:8 — Meaning & Devotional
God's Faithfulness
Devotional
Hebrews 4:16 — Meaning & Devotional
Grace
Commentary
Hebrews 4:16 Commentary
In-depth study • Prayer & Grace
Commentary
Hebrews 13:8 Commentary
In-depth study • The Unchanging Christ
Word Meaning
Faithfulness (אֱמוּנָה (emunah))
Steadfast reliability and trustworthiness — firm, unwavering loyalty.
Character
Shadrach in the Bible
Faithful in the Fiery Furnace
What names are related to Jesse?
Names like Jesse
Other Hebrew biblical names that share the spirit of "Gift; Wealthy; The LORD exists" — discovered by matching meaning category and origin.
Names that pair well with Jesse
Sibling sets, middle-name combinations, and complementary pairings chosen for matching origin, meaning, and similar syllable weight.
Share the meaning of Jesse
Download a printable name card with the KJV verse and meaning — perfect for Pinterest, Instagram, or a baptism keepsake.
Jesse name meaning: frequently asked questions
Yes — Jesse appears in the King James Bible, including 1 Samuel 16:11.
Jesse means "Gift; Wealthy; The LORD exists." It is a Hebrew name. The King James Bible uses it in 1 Samuel 16:11, so the meaning is carried by a real person in Scripture.
Hebrew. Jesse comes into English from Hebrew and carries the sense "Gift; Wealthy; The LORD exists." It appears in the King James Bible, including 1 Samuel 16:11.
Common questions about the name Jesse
Can I download a free King James Bible PDF to study the name Jesse?
Yes. The complete King James Bible is available as a free PDF download — all 66 books, 1,189 chapters, ready to read offline or print. No sign-up required.
Where can I read the full biblical context for Jesse?
You can read every verse where Jesse appears in the King James Bible by downloading the free KJV PDF or reading online. The download page also includes a bookmarked Book of Psalms KJV PDF for easy reference.