from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Jesse \Jes"se\, n. [LL. Jesse, the father of David, fr. Gr. ?,
fr. Herb. Yishai.]
Any representation or suggestion of the genealogy of Christ,
in decorative art; as:
(a) A genealogical tree represented in stained glass.
(b) A candlestick with many branches, each of which bears the
name of some one of the descendants of Jesse; -- called
also {tree of Jesse}.
[1913 Webster]
{Jesse window} (Arch.), a window of which the glazing and
tracery represent the tree of Jesse.
[1913 Webster]
from
Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary
Jesse
firm, or a gift, a son of Obed, the son of Boaz and Ruth (Ruth
4:17, 22; Matt. 1:5, 6; Luke 3:32). He was the father of eight
sons, the youngest of whom was David (1 Sam. 17:12). The phrase
"stem of Jesse" is used for the family of David (Isa. 11:1), and
"root of Jesse" for the Messiah (Isa. 11:10; Rev. 5:5). Jesse
was a man apparently of wealth and position at Bethlehem (1 Sam.
17:17, 18, 20; Ps. 78:71). The last reference to him is of
David's procuring for him an asylum with the king of Moab (1
Sam. 22:3).