The Stem of Jesse

The stem of Jesse, or coming from the genealogical family of Jesus. ie: Something Good.

Depictions of the Jesse Tree are based on a passage from the Book of Isaiah.

"And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots" (King James Version).

From the Latin Vulgate Bible used in the Middle Ages:

et egredietur virga de radice Iesse et flos de radice eius ascendet (Isaiah 11:1).

Flos, pl flores is Latin for flower. Virga is a "green twig", "rod" or "broom", as well as a convenient near-pun with Virgo or Virgin, which undoubtedly influenced the development of the image. Thus Jesus is the Virga Jesse or "stem of Jesse".

In the New Testament the lineage of Jesus is traced by two of the Gospel writers, Matthew in descending order, and Luke in ascending order. Luke's Gospel's description in chapter 3 begins with Jesus himself and is traced all the way back, via Nathan to David and then on to "Adam, which was [the son] of God.". (Luke 3:23-38) Matthew's Gospel opens with the words: "The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham." (Matthew 1:1) With this beginning, Matthew shows the Abrahamic and royal descent, passing through David, but then through Solomon.

There are several different genealogies, listing distinct ancestors of Jesus, in the Christian Bible. This has traditionally presented a stumbling block for Biblical Fundamentalists. A not insurmountable difficulty however, for all things—with God of course—are possible.

It has been pointed out by a number of biblical scholars that according to Jewish tradition descent from Jesse could only be through the male line; and that since Jesus was sired by the spirit of God, he was not of the line of Jesse.