Jesse Tree Day 1: The Root of Jesse

Thank you for joining us for our Illustrated Jesse Tree, which is a special devotional that we’re doing this Advent! The reading for today is Isaiah 11:1-10. The text which accompanies the artwork is from the Douay Rheims version of the bible, which (in my humble opinion!) is super pretty and I love it. I especially love how classical and pretty it is… it complements the art well, I think. I hope you enjoy this!


The Root of Jesse

A reading from the Book of Isaiah. (Isaiah 11:1-10)

And there shall come forth a rod out of the root of Jesse, and a flower shall rise up out of his root.

And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him: the spirit of wisdom, and of understanding, the spirit of counsel, and of fortitude, the spirit of knowledge, and of godliness.

And he shall be filled with the spirit of the fear of the Lord. He shall not judge according to the sight of the eyes, nor reprove according to the hearing of the ears.

The Tree of Jesse, by Dutch School, c. 16th century. Private Collection.
The Tree of Jesse, by Dutch School, c. 16th century. Private Collection.

But he shall judge the poor with justice, and shall reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: land he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall slay the wicked.

And justice shall be the girdle of his loins: and faith the girdle of his reins.

The Tree of Jesse, c. 1240-50. J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles, California, United States.
The Tree of Jesse, c. 1240-50. J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles, California, United States.

The wolf shall dwell with the lamb: and the leopard shall lie down with the kid: the calf and the lion, and the sheep shall abide together, and a little child shall lead them.

The calf and the bear shall feed: their young ones shall rest together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp: and the weaned child shall thrust his hand into the den of the basilisk.

The Tree of Jesse, by Geertgen tot Sint Jans, c. 1500. Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
The Tree of Jesse, by Geertgen tot Sint Jans, c. 1500. Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, Netherlands.

They shall not hurt, nor shall they kill in all my holy mountain, for the earth is filled with the knowledge of the Lord, as the covering waters of the sea.

In that day the root of Jesse, who standeth for an ensign of the people, him the Gentiles shall beseech, and his sepulchre shall be glorious.

A Jesse Tree, by Girolamo Genga, c. 1535. National Gallery, London, United Kingdom.
A Jesse Tree, by Girolamo Genga, c. 1535. National Gallery, London, United Kingdom.

Karina Tabone

Karina Tabone is a wife, mother of four, author, blogger, and lover of Christian artwork. She's the author of the Illustrated Rosary series, which pairs every prayer of the Rosary with beautiful religious artwork. She likes also milkshakes, sunshine, and mystery novels. Follow her on Twitter at @illustr_prayer.

One thought on “Jesse Tree Day 1: The Root of Jesse

  • December 2, 2020 at 3:05 am
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    Thank you for the beautiful painting choices depicting the JESSE TREE. I agree that the Douay Rheims Bible has the word choice that illuminates the art. Have a Blessed Advent.

    Reply

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