1 Chronicles 4:9

Translations

Modern

Now Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez, saying, “Because I bore him in pain.”

Traditional

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

Literal

And Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, “Because I have brought forth in pain.”

Latin

Fuit autem Jabes inclytus præ fratribus suis, et mater ejus vocavit nomen illius Jabes, dicens: Quia peperi eum in dolore.

Original

Hebrew

English

Now Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez, saying, “Because I bore him in pain.”

Notes

1 Chronicles 4:9–10

The section about Jabez stands alone, allowing the Chronicler to explain his name's origin. Jabez is not mentioned earlier, although it is also the name of a town where some of Hur's son Salma's descendants lived (1 Chronicles 2:55). Jabez likely got his name because he caused his mother pain, fulfilling Eve's curse (Genesis 3:16). Despite his name being a curse, he was more honorable than his brothers, and his prayer changed his life's outcome. The prayer is poetic and includes a plea for blessing, along with requests for prosperity and protection from harm. His last request might mean "keep me from causing trouble and pain." God listened to his prayer and removed his curse.

1 Chronicles 4:9–20

The exact family trees of Judah's remaining descendants are unknown. The Chronicler likely had incomplete information.

Theme notes and profiles

Ancestors of Jesus

Related verses

1 Samuel 4:21
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.
Genesis 35:18
And with her last breath—for she was dying—she named him Ben-oni. But his father called him Benjamin.
Acts 17:11
Now the Bereans were more noble-minded than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if these teachings were true.
Genesis 34:19
The young man, who was the most respected of all his father’s household, did not hesitate to fulfill this request, because he was delighted with Jacob’s daughter.
1 Chronicles 7:23
And again he slept with his wife, and she conceived and gave birth to a son. So he named him Beriah, because tragedy had come upon his house.
Genesis 3:16
To the woman He said: “I will sharply increase your pain in childbirth; in pain you will bring forth children. Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you.”
Isaiah 43:4
Because you are precious and honored in My sight, and because I love you, I will give men in exchange for you and nations in place of your life.

People

Jabez: More honorable than his brothers; God granted his prayer

Glossary

Beth-Rapha Chronicles, Books of First and Second Chronology of the Bible (Old Testament) Genealogy Jabez (Person)

Topics

Children were Named: from Circumstances Connected with Their Birth Jabez: The Head of a Family Prayer of Jabez Praying for Yourself Religion: Outstanding Religious Persons: Jabez

1 Chronicles 4:9

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