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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>1 Chronicles 4:9 Now Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez, saying, "Because I bore him in pain."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/1_chronicles/4-9.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/10/13_1Ch_04_09.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="1 Chronicles 4:9 - The Prayer of Jabez" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Now Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. 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His mother had named him Jabez, saying, &#8220I gave birth to him in pain.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/1_chronicles/4.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />There was a man named Jabez who was more honorable than any of his brothers. His mother named him Jabez because his birth had been so painful.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/1_chronicles/4.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Jabez was more honorable than his brothers; and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, “Because I bore him in pain.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/1_chronicles/4.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez, saying, “Because I bore him in pain.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/1_chronicles/4.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And Jabez was more honourable than his brethren: and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, Because I bare him with sorrow.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/1_chronicles/4.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Now Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, “Because I bore <i>him</i> in pain.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/1_chronicles/4.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, and his mother named him Jabez, saying, “Because I gave birth <i>to him</i> in pain.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/1_chronicles/4.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, and his mother named him Jabez saying, &#8220Because I bore him with pain.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/1_chronicles/4.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, and his mother named him Jabez saying, “Because I bore <i>him</i> with pain.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/1_chronicles/4.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Now Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, and his mother named him Jabez saying, “Because I bore <i>him</i> with pain.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/1_chronicles/4.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Jabez was more honorable than his brothers; but his mother named him Jabez, saying, “Because I gave birth to him in pain.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/1_chronicles/4.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Jabez was more honored than his brothers. His mother named him Jabez and said, “I gave birth to him in pain.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/1_chronicles/4.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother named him Jabez and said, &#8220I gave birth to him in pain.&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/1_chronicles/4.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And Jabez was more honorable than his brethren: and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, Because I bare him with sorrow.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/1_chronicles/4.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Jabez was a man who got his name because of the pain he caused his mother during birth. But he was still the most respected son in his family. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/1_chronicles/4.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And Jabez was more honourable than his brethren: and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, Because I bare him with sorrow.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/1_chronicles/4.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez [Painful], because she said that his birth was painful.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/1_chronicles/4.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />There was a man named Jabez, who was the most respected member of his family. His mother had given him the name Jabez, because his birth had been very painful. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/1_chronicles/4.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Jabez enjoyed more honor than his relatives—his mother named him Jabez, she said, "because I bore him in pain." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/1_chronicles/4.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez, saying, ?Because I bore him in pain.?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/1_chronicles/4.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Jabez was more respected than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez, for she said, "I experienced pain when I gave birth to him."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/1_chronicles/4.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />And Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, and his mother named him Jabez, saying, "Because I bore him with pain."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/1_chronicles/4.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And Jabez was more honorable than his brethren: and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, Because I bore him with sorrow.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/1_chronicles/4.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother named him Jabez, saying, “Because I bore him with sorrow.” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/1_chronicles/4.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And Jabez is honored above his brothers, and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, “Because I have brought forth with grief.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/1_chronicles/4.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And Jabez is honoured above his brethren, and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, 'Because I have brought forth with grief.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/1_chronicles/4.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And Jabez was honorable above his brethren: and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, For I bare with pain.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/1_chronicles/4.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And Jabes was more honourable than any of his brethren, and his mother called his name Jabes, saying: Because I bore him with sorrow. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/1_chronicles/4.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />But Jabez was renown, more so than his brothers, and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, “For I bore him in sorrow.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/1_chronicles/4.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Jabez was the most distinguished of his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez, saying, “I bore him with pain.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/1_chronicles/4.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Jabez was honored more than his brothers; and his mother named him Jabez, saying, “Because I bore him in pain.”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/1_chronicles/4.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And one of them was dear to his father and to his mother, so they called his name Our Eyes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/1_chronicles/4.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And one of them was precious to his mother and to his father, and he called his name Aynay.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/1_chronicles/4.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And Jabez was more honourable than his brethren; and his mother called his name Jabez, saying: 'Because I bore him with pain.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/1_chronicles/4.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And Igabes was more famous than his brethren; and his mother called his name Igabes, saying, I have born as a sorrowful one.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/1_chronicles/4-9.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wtNNY-qpWWI?start=1023" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/1_chronicles/4.htm">The Prayer of Jabez</a></span><br> <span class="reftext">9</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3258.htm" title="3258: ya‘·bêṣ (N-proper-ms) -- From an unused root probably meaning to grieve; sorrowful; Jabets, the name of an Israelite, and also of a place in Palestine.">Now Jabez</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: way·hî (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">was</a> <a href="/hebrew/3513.htm" title="3513: niḵ·bāḏ (V-Nifal-Prtcpl-ms) -- Or kabed; a primitive root; to be heavy, i.e. In a bad sense or in a good sense (in the same two senses).">more honorable</a> <a href="/hebrew/251.htm" title="251: mê·’e·ḥāw (Prep-m:: N-mpc:: 3ms) -- A brother. A primitive word; a brother (like 'ab).">than his brothers.</a> <a href="/hebrew/517.htm" title="517: wə·’im·mōw (Conj-w:: N-fsc:: 3ms) -- A mother. A primitive word; a mother; in a wide sense (like 'ab).">His mother</a> <a href="/hebrew/7121.htm" title="7121: qā·rə·’āh (V-Qal-Perf-3fs) -- To call, proclaim, read. A primitive root; to call out to.">had named him</a> <a href="/hebrew/8034.htm" title="8034: šə·mōw (N-msc:: 3ms) -- A primitive word; an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3258.htm" title="3258: ya‘·bêṣ (N-proper-ms) -- From an unused root probably meaning to grieve; sorrowful; Jabets, the name of an Israelite, and also of a place in Palestine.">Jabez,</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: lê·mōr (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">saying,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">“Because</a> <a href="/hebrew/3205.htm" title="3205: yā·laḏ·tî (V-Qal-Perf-1cs) -- A primitive root; to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage.">I bore him</a> <a href="/hebrew/6090.htm" title="6090: bə·‘ō·ṣeḇ (Prep-b:: N-ms) -- An idol, pain. A variation of etseb; an idol; also pain.">in pain.”</a> </span><span class="reftext">10</span>And Jabez called out to the God of Israel, “If only You would bless me and enlarge my territory! May Your hand be with me and keep me from harm, so that I will be free from pain.” And God granted the request of Jabez.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/35-18.htm">Genesis 35:18</a></span><br />And with her last breath—for she was dying—she named him Ben-oni. But his father called him Benjamin.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/30-13.htm">Genesis 30:13</a></span><br />Leah said, “How happy I am! For the women call me happy.” So she named him Asher.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/30-24.htm">Genesis 30:24</a></span><br />She named him Joseph, and said, “May the LORD add to me another son.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/49-20.htm">Genesis 49:20</a></span><br />Asher’s food will be rich; he shall provide royal delicacies.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/2-10.htm">Exodus 2:10</a></span><br />When the child had grown older, she brought him to Pharaoh’s daughter, and he became her son. She named him Moses and explained, “I drew him out of the water.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ruth/4-14.htm">Ruth 4:14-17</a></span><br />Then the women said to Naomi, “Blessed be the LORD, who has not left you this day without a kinsman-redeemer. May his name become famous in Israel. / He will renew your life and sustain you in your old age. For your daughter-in-law, who loves you and is better to you than seven sons, has given him birth.” / And Naomi took the child, placed him on her lap, and became a nurse to him. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/1-20.htm">1 Samuel 1:20</a></span><br />So in the course of time, Hannah conceived and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, saying, “Because I have asked for him from the LORD.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/4-21.htm">1 Samuel 4:21</a></span><br />And she named the boy Ichabod, saying, “The glory has departed from Israel,” because the ark of God had been captured and her father-in-law and her husband had been killed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/22-36.htm">2 Samuel 22:36</a></span><br />You have given me Your shield of salvation, and Your gentleness exalts me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/18-35.htm">Psalm 18:35</a></span><br />You have given me Your shield of salvation; Your right hand upholds me, and Your gentleness exalts me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/139-13.htm">Psalm 139:13-16</a></span><br />For You formed my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb. / I praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Marvelous are Your works, and I know this very well. / My frame was not hidden from You when I was made in secret, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/62-4.htm">Isaiah 62:4</a></span><br />No longer will you be called Forsaken, nor your land named Desolate; but you will be called Hephzibah, and your land Beulah; for the LORD will take delight in you, and your land will be His bride.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/20-3.htm">Jeremiah 20:3</a></span><br />The next day, when Pashhur released Jeremiah from the stocks, Jeremiah said to him, “The LORD does not call you Pashhur, but Magor-missabib.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/1-21.htm">Matthew 1:21</a></span><br />She will give birth to a Son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/7-7.htm">Matthew 7:7-11</a></span><br />Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. / For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. / Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? ...</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And Jabez was more honorable than his brothers: and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, Because I bore him with sorrow.</p><p class="hdg">more.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/34-19.htm">Genesis 34:19</a></b></br> And the young man deferred not to do the thing, because he had delight in Jacob's daughter: and he <i>was</i> more honourable than all the house of his father.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/43-4.htm">Isaiah 43:4</a></b></br> Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/acts/17-11.htm">Acts 17:11</a></b></br> These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.</p><p class="hdg">Jabez.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_chronicles/7-23.htm">1 Chronicles 7:23</a></b></br> And when he went in to his wife, she conceived, and bare a son, and he called his name Beriah, because it went evil with his house.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/3-16.htm">Genesis 3:16</a></b></br> Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire <i>shall be</i> to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/35-18.htm">Genesis 35:18</a></b></br> And it came to pass, as her soul was in departing, (for she died) that she called his name Benoni: but his father called him Benjamin.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_chronicles/4-6.htm">Bare</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/3-1.htm">Birth</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/4-6.htm">Bore</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-4.htm">Forth</a> <a href="/2_kings/22-11.htm">Grief</a> <a href="/2_kings/5-1.htm">Honorable</a> <a href="/2_samuel/23-23.htm">Honourable</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/2-55.htm">Jabez</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/3-2.htm">Mother</a> <a href="/2_samuel/1-9.htm">Pain</a> <a href="/1_kings/21-12.htm">Sorrow</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_chronicles/4-17.htm">Bare</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/4-17.htm">Birth</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/4-17.htm">Bore</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/4-38.htm">Forth</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/6-29.htm">Grief</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/11-21.htm">Honorable</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/11-21.htm">Honourable</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/4-10.htm">Jabez</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/4-17.htm">Mother</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/4-10.htm">Pain</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/4-10.htm">Sorrow</a><div class="vheading2">1 Chronicles 4</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_chronicles/4-1.htm">The posterity of Judah by Caleb, the son of Hur.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">5. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_chronicles/4-5.htm">Of Ashur, the posthumous son Hezron.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_chronicles/4-9.htm">Of Jabez, and his prayer.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">11. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_chronicles/4-11.htm">The other families of the same stock.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">21. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_chronicles/4-21.htm">The sons of Shelah.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">24. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_chronicles/4-24.htm">The posterity and cities of Simeon.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">39. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_chronicles/4-39.htm">Their conquest of Gedor, and of the Amalekites in mount Seir.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_chronicles/4.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_chronicles/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/1_chronicles/4.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Now Jabez was more honorable than his brothers.</b><br>Jabez is introduced in the genealogies of Judah, a tribe known for its leadership and prominence in Israel's history. The term "honorable" suggests a reputation for integrity and righteousness, qualities highly valued in biblical narratives. This distinction implies that Jabez's character set him apart from his siblings, possibly indicating a life of faithfulness and devotion to God. The emphasis on honor may also reflect the cultural importance of reputation and legacy in ancient Israelite society. The mention of brothers suggests a familial context, where sibling relationships often highlight themes of rivalry or distinction, as seen in stories like Joseph and his brothers in Genesis.<p><b>His mother had named him Jabez, saying,</b><br>The act of naming in biblical times carried significant weight, often reflecting circumstances of birth or prophetic insights into a person's future. The name "Jabez" is derived from a Hebrew root meaning "pain" or "sorrow," indicating that his mother experienced significant distress during childbirth. This practice of naming based on birth circumstances is seen elsewhere in Scripture, such as with Benjamin, whose mother Rachel named him Ben-Oni, meaning "son of my sorrow," before his father Jacob renamed him. The mother's role in naming highlights the maternal influence and the emotional and physical challenges of childbirth in ancient times.<p><b>“Because I bore him in pain.”</b><br>The phrase underscores the physical and emotional toll of childbirth, a common theme in biblical narratives. Pain in childbirth is first mentioned in <a href="/genesis/3-16.htm">Genesis 3:16</a> as part of the consequences of the Fall, linking Jabez's story to the broader narrative of human suffering and redemption. The acknowledgment of pain also reflects the reality of life in a fallen world, where joy and sorrow often coexist. This context may suggest that Jabez's life, marked by a name associated with pain, would be one of overcoming adversity, a theme resonant with the biblical message of hope and divine intervention. The mention of pain could also foreshadow the transformative power of prayer and faith, as Jabez later calls on God for blessing and deliverance.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/jabez.htm">Jabez</a></b><br>A man noted for his honor and integrity, more so than his brothers. His name, meaning "pain" or "sorrow," was given by his mother due to the circumstances of his birth.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/j/jabez's_mother.htm">Jabez's Mother</a></b><br>She named her son Jabez, reflecting the pain she experienced during childbirth. Her perspective highlights the cultural significance of names in biblical times.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_tribe_of_judah.htm">The Tribe of Judah</a></b><br>Jabez is mentioned in the genealogies of the tribe of Judah, indicating his lineage and the importance of his account within the context of Israel's history.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_a_name.htm">The Power of a Name</a></b><br>Names in biblical times often reflected circumstances or prophetic insights. Consider how names and labels affect identity and self-perception today.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/honor_in_god's_eyes.htm">Honor in God's Eyes</a></b><br>Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, suggesting that God values integrity and righteousness over worldly success or status.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/o/overcoming_adversity.htm">Overcoming Adversity</a></b><br>Despite being named for pain, Jabez rose above his circumstances, teaching us that our past or the labels others place on us do not define our future.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_prayer.htm">The Importance of Prayer</a></b><br>Jabez's account continues with a powerful prayer, reminding us of the importance of seeking God's blessing and guidance in our lives.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_1_chronicles_4.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 1 Chronicles 4</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_is_jabez's_blessing_uncorroborated.htm">In 1 Chronicles 4:9–10, why do we only hear about Jabez’s miraculous blessing here, with no corroborating historical or archaeological evidence? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/solomon's_horse_stalls_count.htm">How many stalls of horses did Solomon have? (1 Kings 4:26 vs. 2 Chronicles 9:25)</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_do_2_chr_9_25_and_1_kgs_4_26_differ.htm">Why do the numbers listed in 2 Chronicles 9:25 about Solomon's horses and chariots differ from related passages like 1 Kings 4:26?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_40,000_stalls_in_1_kings,_4,000_in_2_chron.htm">Why does 1 Kings 4:26 mention 40,000 stalls for Solomon's horses, while 2 Chronicles 9:25 records only 4,000?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/1_chronicles/4.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(9) <span class= "bld">More honourable</span> <span class= "bld">than his</span> <span class= "bld">brethren.</span>--Comp. what is said of Hamor son of Shechem in <a href="/genesis/34-19.htm" title="And the young man deferred not to do the thing, because he had delight in Jacob's daughter: and he was more honorable than all the house of his father.">Genesis 34:19</a>.<p><span class= "bld">His brethren.</span>--Perhaps the sons of Coz. The form of the Hebrew verb implies connection with <a href="/1_chronicles/4-8.htm" title="And Coz begat Anub, and Zobebah, and the families of Aharhel the son of Harum.">1Chronicles 4:8</a>.<p><span class= "bld">His mother</span> <span class= "bld">called his name . . .</span>--Comp. <a href="/context/genesis/29-32.htm" title="And Leah conceived, and bore a son, and she called his name Reuben: for she said, Surely the LORD has looked on my affliction; now therefore my husband will love me.">Genesis 29:32-35</a>, and especially <a href="/genesis/35-18.htm" title="And it came to pass, as her soul was in departing, (for she died) that she called his name Benoni: but his father called him Benjamin.">Genesis 35:18</a>.<p><span class= "bld">With sorrow.</span>--Rather, <span class= "ital">pain.</span> . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/1_chronicles/4.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 9.</span> - This is not less true of the name of vers. 9, 10, which, however, has made its own mark amid the whole scene. The episode of these two verses, offering itself amid what should seem, superficially, a dry mass of dead names, is welcome and grateful as the oasis of the desert, and it warns us that life lies hidden at our every footfall on this ground, spread over though it is with monument and inscription, and hollow, as we thought, with the deadest of the dead. But the glimpse of old real life given us in this brief fragment of a biography is refreshing and is very suggestive. It seems an insufficient and unnatural method of accounting for the suddenness of the appearance of this episode to suppose ('Speaker's Commentary,' <span class="accented">in lee.</span>) that the name of Jahez was well known, from any cause, to those for whom Chronicles may be supposed to have been primarily intended. We prefer by far <span class="accented">one</span> account of it, viz. that the work in our hands is not in its original complete state; or, variously put, that it <span class="accented">is</span> in its uncompleted original state. No root corresponding to the characters of this name in present order is known; it is possible that some euphonic reason makes the name <span class="hebrew">יַעְבּצ</span> out of the real word (future Kal) <span class="hebrew">יַעִצֵב</span>, <span class="accented">i.e.</span> he causes pains. We cannot suppose there would be any "play" appreciable on a transposition of alphabetical characters for <span class="accented">mere</span> play's sake. The resemblance that almost each part of this brief and abruptly introduced narration bears to incidents recorded in Genesis (<a href="/genesis/34-19.htm">Genesis 34:19</a>; <a href="/genesis/33-20.htm">Genesis 33:20</a>; <a href="/genesis/4-25.htm">Genesis 4:25</a>; <a href="/genesis/29-32.htm">Genesis 29:32</a>; <a href="/genesis/28-20.htm">Genesis 28:20</a>) and Exodus speaks for itself, and strongly countenances the supposition that it is a genuine deposit of the genuinely olden history of Judah. The mother's reason for the naming of the child; the language and matter and form (<a href="/genesis/17-18.htm">Genesis 17:18-20</a>; <a href="/exodus/32-32.htm">Exodus 32:32</a>) of the prayer of the child, when presumably he was no longer a child; and the discriminating use of the words <span class="accented">Elohim</span> (ver. 10) <span class="accented">of Israel</span>, as comps, red with the name <span class="accented">Jehovah</span> (<a href="/1_chronicles/2-3.htm">1 Chronicles 2:3</a>; 5:41), generally found here, - all help to produce this impression, although some of these particulars would carry little conviction by themselves; <span class="accented">e.g.</span> a mother's reasons for assigning the name of her child long outlived the earlier times alone. Upon the whole, and regarding the passage in its present place, we may say that it must be very much <span class="accented">misplaced</span>, or else must be understood to connect Jabez with some branch of the family of Coz. There is the more room to assume this in the vagueness of the last preceding clause, "The families of Aharhel the son of Harum." The origin of the theories of some of the older Jewish writers, to the effect that Jabez was a doctor in the law, with a school of scribes around him, is probably to be found in the desire to find a connection between his proper name, Jabez, and the <span class="accented">place</span> so named (<a href="/1_chronicles/2-55.htm">1 Chronicles 2:55</a>), and where, as we are told, "families of scribes dwelt," belonging to the Kenites. That these were connected with Bethlehem, through Salma, and that Jabez of our present passage was also of a family connected with Bethlehem, is worthy of notice, but is not enough by a long way to countenance the thought, in spite of Targum and Talmud (Smith's 'Bible Dictionary,' <span class="accented">sub vet.</span>). The Targum, as well here as in <a href="/1_chronicles/2-55.htm">1 Chronicles 2:55</a>, identifies Jabez with Othniel "son of Keuaz" (<a href="/joshua/15-17.htm">Joshua 15:17</a>; <a href="/judges/1-13.htm">Judges 1:13</a>; <a href="/judges/3-9.htm">Judges 3:9</a>), or more probably "the Kenizzite" merely; but there is nothing to sustain such an identification. The description, he was more honourable than his brethren, finds a close parallel, so far as the word <span class="accented">honourable</span> goes, in <a href="/genesis/34-19.htm">Genesis 34:19</a>; although the honourableness of Shechem, the person there in question, does not come out to anything like the same advantage with that of Jabez, nor at all in the same direction. The word, however, is precisely the same, is often used elsewhere, and uniformly in a good sense, although the range of its application is wide. The essential idea of the root appears to be "weight." The phrase may therefore be supposed to answer to our expressive phrase, a "man of weight " <span class="accented">- the</span> weight being sometimes due <span class="accented">chiefly</span> to character, at other times to position and wealth in the first place, though not entirely divorced from considerations of character. We may safely judge, from what follows, that the intention in our present passage is to describe Jabez as a man of more ability and nobility than his brethren. It can scarcely be doubted that the meaning that lies on the surface is the correct interpretation, when it is said that his mother named him Jabez, saying, Because I bare him with sorrow. The sorrow refers to unusual pains of travail, not to any attendant circumstances of domestic trial, as <span class="accented">e.g.</span> that the time of his birth was coincident with her own widowhood, as happened to the wife of Phinehas, when she named her offspring "Ichabod" (<a href="/1_samuel/4-19.htm">1 Samuel 4:19-22</a>). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/1_chronicles/4-9.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Now Jabez</span><br /><span class="heb">יַעְבֵּ֔ץ</span> <span class="translit">(ya‘·bêṣ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3258.htm">Strong's 3258: </a> </span><span class="str2">Jabez -- a descendant of Judah, also a place in Judah</span><br /><br /><span class="word">was</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיְהִ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(way·hî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fall out, come to pass, become, be</span><br /><br /><span class="word">more honorable</span><br /><span class="heb">נִכְבָּ֖ד</span> <span class="translit">(niḵ·bāḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3513.htm">Strong's 3513: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be heavy, weighty, or burdensome</span><br /><br /><span class="word">than his brothers.</span><br /><span class="heb">מֵאֶחָ֑יו</span> <span class="translit">(mê·’e·ḥāw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_251.htm">Strong's 251: </a> </span><span class="str2">A brother, )</span><br /><br /><span class="word">His mother</span><br /><span class="heb">וְאִמּ֗וֹ</span> <span class="translit">(wə·’im·mōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_517.htm">Strong's 517: </a> </span><span class="str2">A mother, )</span><br /><br /><span class="word">had named</span><br /><span class="heb">קָרְאָ֨ה</span> <span class="translit">(qā·rə·’āh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7121.htm">Strong's 7121: </a> </span><span class="str2">To call, proclaim, read</span><br /><br /><span class="word">him Jabez,</span><br /><span class="heb">יַעְבֵּץ֙</span> <span class="translit">(ya‘·bêṣ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3258.htm">Strong's 3258: </a> </span><span class="str2">Jabez -- a descendant of Judah, also a place in Judah</span><br /><br /><span class="word">saying,</span><br /><span class="heb">לֵאמֹ֔ר</span> <span class="translit">(lê·mōr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“Because</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(kî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">I bore [him]</span><br /><span class="heb">יָלַ֖דְתִּי</span> <span class="translit">(yā·laḏ·tî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3205.htm">Strong's 3205: </a> </span><span class="str2">To bear young, to beget, medically, to act as midwife, to show lineage</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in pain.”</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּעֹֽצֶב׃</span> <span class="translit">(bə·‘ō·ṣeḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6090.htm">Strong's 6090: </a> </span><span class="str2">An idol, pain</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_chronicles/4-9.htm">1 Chronicles 4:9 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/1_chronicles/4-9.htm">1 Chronicles 4:9 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/1_chronicles/4-9.htm">1 Chronicles 4:9 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/1_chronicles/4-9.htm">1 Chronicles 4:9 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/1_chronicles/4-9.htm">1 Chronicles 4:9 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/1_chronicles/4-9.htm">1 Chronicles 4:9 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_chronicles/4-9.htm">1 Chronicles 4:9 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_chronicles/4-9.htm">1 Chronicles 4:9 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/1_chronicles/4-9.htm">1 Chronicles 4:9 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/1_chronicles/4-9.htm">1 Chronicles 4:9 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/1_chronicles/4-9.htm">OT History: 1 Chronicles 4:9 Jabez was more honorable than his brothers: (1 Chron. 1Ch iCh i Ch 1 chr 1chr)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_chronicles/4-8.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Chronicles 4:8"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Chronicles 4:8" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_chronicles/4-10.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Chronicles 4:10"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Chronicles 4:10" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>