Jabez (biblical figure)
In 1 Chronicles, Jabez is a well-respected man (ancestor in the lineage of the kings' tribe of Judah) whose prayer to God for blessing was answered (see 1 Chronicles 4:9–10). Moreover, the author paused in this long list to give Jabez a place of honour in the long list of Kings and lineage.
The name Jabez is Hebrew (yabetz = יַעְבֵּץ) for "distress or pain";[1][2] his mother stated "I gave birth to him in pain".[3] Jabez was labelled with "sorrow" at birth, but his prayer against contracting sorrow nullified the label. His life contradicted his name.[4]
Jabez is also mentioned in 1 Chronicles 2:55, possibly as a place name.
See also
- The Prayer of Jabez, a book by Bruce Wilkinson in which he encouraged Christians to pray the way Jabez did.
References
- ^ Marshall I H (ed), Jabez, New Bible Dictionary (3rd Ed), IVP
- ^ Keil C F, Chronicles
- ^ 1 Chronicles 4:9 (New International version)
- ^ C.F. Keil and F. Delitsch: Commentary on the Old Testament, 10 Vols., Hendrickson Publishers Inc., Peabody, Massachusetts, 1996, reprinted from the English edition of T. & T. Clark, Edinburgh, 1866-91.