Davidic Line - Other Descendants From David

Other Descendants From David

With the end of the monarchy following the destructions of both the Temple of Solomon and the Second Temple, the line of the monarchy was carefully preserved and guarded. It was from that supposed Davidic line though that many great rabbis and "princes" of the people claimed descent. Thus, men such as the editor of the Mishnah, Rabbi Judah haNasi, and his heirs were considered to be from the Davidic line, hence their use of the title "Nasi", meaning prince.

Subsequently, great rabbis such as Rashi, Maimonides, Don Isaac Abrabanel, and the Maharal of Prague, were all considered to be of the Davidic line by Orthodox Judaism. Note, however, that according to Rav Sherira Gaon, in his iggeret, Hillel the Elder, great-great-great-grandfather of Rabbi Judah haNasi, was descended from David only on his mother's side and was actually of the tribe of Benjamin.

In general, the validity of such claims — as that of most claims to royal descent after a considerable passage of time — is difficult to check. But it may be said that Jewish society taking seriously a person's claim to Davidic descent is a testimonial to that person's standing and prestige in his own time.

The medieval dynasties — the Solomonids of Ethiopia and Bagrationi of Georgia also claimed descent from David. It is mentioned In Dynasty scriptures that 7 brothers from Davitic line came into georgian kingdom of Tao-Klarjeti later 3 of them went into Armenia and other 3 stayed in Tao and 7th brother Guaram went in Georgian kingdom of Iberia. After bagrat(son of Guaram) dynasty was named as Bagrations(or Hellenized Bagratids). In the scripture made in 7th century Georgian historian "Jamta-aghmtsereli" called Bagrations relatives of Jesus. Later in 13th century Italian missioner of Pope of Rome called Bagrations relatives of Jesus too. in 18th century Georgian Prince Vakhushti Bagrationi wrote the Book about Bagrations where he mentioned that Georgian dynasty of Bagrations are from Davidic line.