1 Chronicles 4:9

Authorized King James Version

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And Jabez was more honourable than his brethren: and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, Because I bare him with sorrow.

Original Language Analysis

וַיְהִ֣י H1961
וַיְהִ֣י
Strong's: H1961
Word #: 1 of 12
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
יַעְבֵּץ֙ And Jabez H3258
יַעְבֵּץ֙ And Jabez
Strong's: H3258
Word #: 2 of 12
jabets, the name of an israelite, and also of a place in palestine
נִכְבָּ֖ד was more honourable H3513
נִכְבָּ֖ד was more honourable
Strong's: H3513
Word #: 3 of 12
to be heavy, i.e., in a bad sense (burdensome, severe, dull) or in a good sense (numerous, rich, honorable); causatively, to make weighty (in the same
מֵֽאֶחָ֑יו than his brethren H251
מֵֽאֶחָ֑יו than his brethren
Strong's: H251
Word #: 4 of 12
a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])
וְאִמּ֗וֹ and his mother H517
וְאִמּ֗וֹ and his mother
Strong's: H517
Word #: 5 of 12
a mother (as the bond of the family); in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively [like father])
קָֽרְאָ֨ה called H7121
קָֽרְאָ֨ה called
Strong's: H7121
Word #: 6 of 12
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
שְׁמ֤וֹ his name H8034
שְׁמ֤וֹ his name
Strong's: H8034
Word #: 7 of 12
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
יַעְבֵּץ֙ And Jabez H3258
יַעְבֵּץ֙ And Jabez
Strong's: H3258
Word #: 8 of 12
jabets, the name of an israelite, and also of a place in palestine
לֵאמֹ֔ר saying H559
לֵאמֹ֔ר saying
Strong's: H559
Word #: 9 of 12
to say (used with great latitude)
כִּ֥י H3588
כִּ֥י
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 10 of 12
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
יָלַ֖דְתִּי Because I bare H3205
יָלַ֖דְתִּי Because I bare
Strong's: H3205
Word #: 11 of 12
to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage
בְּעֹֽצֶב׃ him with sorrow H6090
בְּעֹֽצֶב׃ him with sorrow
Strong's: H6090
Word #: 12 of 12
an (idolatrous) image

Analysis & Commentary

And Jabez was more honourable than his brethren (וַיְהִי יַעְבֵּץ נִכְבָּד מֵאֶחָיו)—יַעְבֵּץ (Yabetz) means 'he causes pain,' reflecting his mother's difficult labor. Yet despite an ominous name, Jabez achieved נִכְבָּד (nikhbad, 'honored,' 'weighty,' 'glorious'). His mother's naming him 'pain' could have defined his identity, but his prayer (v. 10) reveals faith that transcended circumstances. The statement 'more honourable' suggests righteous reputation, not mere prominence.

Jabez models refusing to accept limiting labels others impose. Rather than accepting 'pain' as identity, he sought God's blessing, enlarged borders, divine presence, and protection from evil. His prayer became Israel's model for seeking God's favor—not passively accepting fate but actively pursuing God's purposes through petition. Christ teaches similar boldness: 'Ask, and it shall be given you' (Matthew 7:7).

Historical Context

Jabez appears abruptly in Judahite genealogies without lineage context, suggesting his fame derived from character rather than ancestry. The Chronicler highlights exceptional individuals (like Jabez) amid genealogical lists, demonstrating personal faithfulness matters more than pedigree. The town Jabez (1 Chronicles 2:55) may have been named after him.

Questions for Reflection