1 Chronicles 4:10

Authorized King James Version

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And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested.

Original Language Analysis

וַיִּקְרָ֣א called H7121
וַיִּקְרָ֣א called
Strong's: H7121
Word #: 1 of 23
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
יַ֠עְבֵּץ And Jabez H3258
יַ֠עְבֵּץ And Jabez
Strong's: H3258
Word #: 2 of 23
jabets, the name of an israelite, and also of a place in palestine
אֱלֹהִ֖ים me! And God H430
אֱלֹהִ֖ים me! And God
Strong's: H430
Word #: 3 of 23
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
יִשְׂרָאֵ֜ל of Israel H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֜ל of Israel
Strong's: H3478
Word #: 4 of 23
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
לֵאמֹ֗ר saying H559
לֵאמֹ֗ר saying
Strong's: H559
Word #: 5 of 23
to say (used with great latitude)
אִם Oh that H518
אִם Oh that
Strong's: H518
Word #: 6 of 23
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
תְּבָרֲכֵ֜נִי me indeed H1288
תְּבָרֲכֵ֜נִי me indeed
Strong's: H1288
Word #: 7 of 23
to kneel; by implication to bless god (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (god or the king, as
תְּבָרֲכֵ֜נִי me indeed H1288
תְּבָרֲכֵ֜נִי me indeed
Strong's: H1288
Word #: 8 of 23
to kneel; by implication to bless god (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (god or the king, as
וְהִרְבִּ֤יתָ and enlarge H7235
וְהִרְבִּ֤יתָ and enlarge
Strong's: H7235
Word #: 9 of 23
to increase (in whatever respect)
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 10 of 23
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
גְּבוּלִי֙ my coast H1366
גְּבוּלִי֙ my coast
Strong's: H1366
Word #: 11 of 23
properly, a cord (as twisted), i.e., (by implication) a boundary; by extension the territory inclosed
וְהָֽיְתָ֤ה H1961
וְהָֽיְתָ֤ה
Strong's: H1961
Word #: 12 of 23
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
יָֽדְךָ֙ and that thine hand H3027
יָֽדְךָ֙ and that thine hand
Strong's: H3027
Word #: 13 of 23
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
עִמִּ֔י H5973
עִמִּ֔י
Strong's: H5973
Word #: 14 of 23
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
וְעָשִׂ֥יתָ might be with me and that thou wouldest keep H6213
וְעָשִׂ֥יתָ might be with me and that thou wouldest keep
Strong's: H6213
Word #: 15 of 23
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
מֵּֽרָעָ֖ה me from evil H7451
מֵּֽרָעָ֖ה me from evil
Strong's: H7451
Word #: 16 of 23
bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)
לְבִלְתִּ֣י H1115
לְבִלְתִּ֣י
Strong's: H1115
Word #: 17 of 23
properly, a failure of, i.e., (used only as a negative particle, usually with a prepositional prefix) not, except, without, unless, besides, because n
עָצְבִּ֑י that it may not grieve H6087
עָצְבִּ֑י that it may not grieve
Strong's: H6087
Word #: 18 of 23
properly, to carve, i.e., fabricate or fashion
וַיָּבֵ֥א granted H935
וַיָּבֵ֥א granted
Strong's: H935
Word #: 19 of 23
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
אֱלֹהִ֖ים me! And God H430
אֱלֹהִ֖ים me! And God
Strong's: H430
Word #: 20 of 23
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
אֵ֥ת H853
אֵ֥ת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 21 of 23
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אֲשֶׁר H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 22 of 23
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
שָׁאָֽל׃ him that which he requested H7592
שָׁאָֽל׃ him that which he requested
Strong's: H7592
Word #: 23 of 23
to inquire; by implication, to request; by extension, to demand

Analysis & Commentary

Jabez's prayer demonstrates bold faith: 'And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested.' This prayer contains four petitions: blessing, enlargement (territory/influence), divine presence ('thine hand with me'), and protection from evil. The name Jabez means 'pain' (4:9), yet he transcended difficult origins through prayer. God's granting the request demonstrates that bold, specific prayers aligned with God's purposes receive answers. This anticipates Jesus's teaching to ask and receive (John 16:24) and points to believers' privilege of approaching God's throne with confidence.

Historical Context

Jabez appears in Judah's genealogy (c. unknown date) with unusual detail - most genealogies list names without narrative. His prayer's inclusion suggests it became proverbial in Israel, teaching that covenant prayer overcomes disadvantageous circumstances.

Questions for Reflection