I Chronicles 4:9 · Bible study
1 Chronicles 4:9 Commentary: Jabez: Named in Pain, Crowned in Honor
Hebrew · 10 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Why does a man named 'sorrow' become more honorable than his brothers? This study explores the name, the wordplay, and the prayer that changed everything.
Research Summary
- Meaning: Jabez ('he brings sorrow') is named for his mother's painful birth, yet he becomes more honorable than his brothers.
- Key words: nikhbad (honored, weighty); ‛otsev (pain, sorrow); Jabez (wordplay on 'sorrow' and 'cause pain').
- Main debate: Whether Jabez is Othniel (as Targum says) or an otherwise unknown figure. Also, the extent to which the prayer is a conditional vow.
- Theological theme: God can reverse a difficult beginning through prayer and faith. The name of sorrow becomes a testimony of blessing.
- Best use: Teaching on prayer, identity in Christ, and the hope that God's answer can outshine a painful past.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
Now Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez, saying, “Because I bore him in pain.”
WEB World English Bible 2000
Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother named him Jabez, saying, “Because I bore him with sorrow.”
KJV King James Version 1769
And Jabez was more honourable than his brethren: and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, Because I bare him with sorrow.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
And Jabez was more honorable than his brethren: and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, Because I bare him with sorrow.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
And Jabez is honoured above his brethren, and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, `Because I have brought forth with grief.'
Darby Darby Bible 1890
And Jabez was more honoured than his brethren; and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, Because I bore him with pain.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
And Jabes was more honourable than any of his brethren, and his mother called his name Jabes, saying: Because I bore him with sorrow.
Translations in other languages (10 available)
Y Jabes fué más ilustre que sus hermanos, al cual su madre llamó Jabes, diciendo: Por cuanto le parí en dolor.
E Jabez foi mais honrado que seus irmãos; sua mãe o chamara de Jabez, dizendo: Pois com dores eu o dei à luz.
Jaebets était plus considéré que ses frères; sa mère lui donna le nom de Jaebets, en disant: C’ est parce que je l’ ai enfanté avec douleur.
Jaebez aber war herrlicher denn seine Brüder; und seine Mutter hieß ihn Jaebez, denn sie sprach: Ich habe ihn mit Kummer geboren.
Jabez nu was heerlijker dan zijn broeders; en zijn moeder had zijn naam Jabez genoemd, zeggende: Want ik heb hem met smarten gebaard.
Jabets fu più onorato dei suoi fratelli; sua madre gli avea messo nome Jabets, perché, diceva, “l’ho partorito con dolore”.
A Jabes był zacniejszy nad braci swych, któremu matka jego dała imię Jabes, mówiąc: Bom go w boleści urodziła.
Иавис был знаменитее своих братьев. Мать дала ему имя Иавис, сказав: я родила его с болезнью.
雅比斯 比他眾弟兄 更尊貴，他母親 給他起 名 叫雅比斯，意思說： 我生他 甚是痛苦。
And Jabez was honoured more than his brothers; but his mother had given him the name Jabez, saying, Because I gave birth to him with sorrow.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Biblical Hebrew)
Old Testament · Biblical Hebrew · I Chronicles 4:9
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators agree that this verse introduces a man whose name, Jabez, meaning 'he brings sorrow', was given because of his mother's painful birth (using the word ‛otsev, 'pain,' from Genesis 3:16). Despite this ominous beginning, he is described as nikhbad (honored), a Qal passive participle from kavad, 'to be weighty.' The Cambridge Bible notes the wordplay: the name sounds like the verb 'cause pain' in verse 10. Barnes adds that the narrative assumes readers already knew Jabez by tradition or lost writings. Keil and Delitzsch observe that the style recalls Genesis (the naming wordplay, the vow form). The Targum identifies Jabez with Othniel, but Gill and others reject this as unlikely. The core agreement: a man marked by sorrow at birth rose to honor through prayer, and God's response shows that a name does not determine a destiny.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Medium
Main views:
- Historical figure with a painful birth: The plain reading of the text: his mother named him because of the pain of childbirth (‛otsev), which links to Genesis 3:16.
- Jabez as Othniel (Targum): Targum on 1 Chronicles 4:13 identifies Jabez as Othniel, and some commentators (Clarke mentions it) accept this tradition.
- Literary symbol of redemption: The naming wordplay and vow structure resemble Genesis narratives, suggesting a theological lesson rather than strict genealogy (Keil and Delitzsch).
What is clear: Jabez was a man from the tribe of Judah who, despite a name meaning 'sorrow,' became honored and prayed to God, who answered his prayer fully.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Identity of Jabez | He is a descendant of Judah, mentioned as more honorable than his brothers. | The Targum identifies him as Othniel (Caleb's nephew), but most commentators (Gill, Barnes) see no strong evidence for this. The connection is uncertain. |
| Meaning of 'more honorable' | He had greater worth, either in character, piety, or public standing. | Some emphasize moral/spiritual honor (Matthew Henry, Wesley), while others note the word can mean 'weighty' in status or wealth (Gill). |
| The prayer as a vow | The prayer is a request for blessing, protection, and enlargement. | Keil and Delitzsch see a conditional vow (like Jacob's) with the consequence suppressed. Others read it as a simple petition. The exact form (condition or request) is debated. |
| Connection to verse 10 | The prayer directly alludes to the name Jabez, asking that the sorrow implied in his name not come upon him. | Some see this as a clever wordplay (Ellicott, Cambridge), others as a literal request to avoid future pain (Barnes, Jamieson-Fausset-Brown). |
Historical & Cultural Context
The genealogies of 1 Chronicles were compiled after the Babylonian exile to reaffirm God's covenant with Israel, especially the tribe of Judah. In a list of mostly obscure names, Jabez stands out. His mother named him reflecting the pain of childbirth, a common practice in the ancient Near East. Compare Benoni ('son of my sorrow') in Genesis 35:18 and Ichabod ('the glory has departed') in 1 Samuel 4:21. The Hebrew word for 'sorrow' here (‛otsev) echoes the curse of Eve in Genesis 3:16. Jabez is called 'more honorable than his brothers,' using kavad, the same root used for God's glory. This suggests he carried weight, in character, piety, or public standing.
The prayer in verse 10 takes the form of a conditional vow, like Jacob's at Bethel (Genesis 28:20). The petition 'that it may not grieve me' plays on the name Jabez itself. Ellicott notes that such wordplay is typical of Genesis. For the post-exilic community, this story offered hope: a man born under a curse of pain could become honored by God. It demonstrated that prayer could rewrite a personal history.
Textual Notes
The consulted sources note no significant textual variants in the Hebrew of this verse. The interlinear text is stable across manuscripts. The ancient versions (Septuagint, Syriac, Arabic, Vulgate, Chaldee) show variations in how they render the name and the explanation, sometimes expanding the prayer or altering the name (e.g., LXX: 'Igabes'; Syriac: 'aina' = 'My Eye'). These versions reflect interpretative traditions rather than different Hebrew readings. The Masoretic text is consistent.
Reception History
Early Jewish interpretation (Targum) linked Jabez with the judge Othniel, emphasizing his skill in the law. The church fathers saw Jabez as an example of fervent prayer, though the verse received limited attention compared to other passages. In the Reformation, Matthew Henry and Wesley highlighted the piety of Jabez, his humble beginnings, and his dependence on God. The Wesleyan tradition often used him as a model of prayer for blessing. In the late 20th century, a popular devotional movement ('The Prayer of Jabez') brought the passage to widespread attention, sometimes focusing on material prosperity. This sparked both enthusiasm and critique, leading to a more careful reading of the original context. Throughout history, the verse has remained a source of comfort for those who feel their names or pasts are marked by sorrow.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- Named with sorrow. Jabez’s mother gave him a name that memorialized her pain. His identity began with grief.
- Honored despite the name. The text says he was 'more honorable than his brothers', not because of his name, but because of who he became.
- Prayer that reversed the name. In verse 10, Jabez asks God to keep the sorrow of his name from becoming his reality. God granted it.
Five-point outline
- The weight of a name. Names carry meaning. Jabez’s name was a burden from birth.
- Honor from God. The word nikhbad (honored) implies substance, not just reputation.
- Prayer as a turning point. He 'called on the God of Israel', a specific covenant name.
- Four requests. Blessing, enlarged border, God’s hand, and protection from evil.
- The result. God granted what he asked. The name of sorrow became a testimony of grace.
Illustration hooks
- A difficult birth story. A mother names her child after the pain she endured. The child grows up and makes a different name for himself through faith.
- Overcoming a label. A student called 'trouble' by teachers becomes a respected leader. The label didn’t stick.
- Praying for change. Someone prays, 'Lord, don’t let me live up to my worst beginnings.' God answers in ways no one expected.
Questions your congregation is asking
- Why is this story preserved in a genealogy? What does it say about God’s attention to individuals?
- What does it mean to be 'more honorable'? Is that about character or accomplishments?
- Is the Prayer of Jabez a formula for material blessing? Was his request selfish?
Leading a Discussion
This short verse is a window into the heart of a man who refused to let a painful name define him. Jabez shows up in a list of names, and then the writer pauses. He was honored, and his story matters because of what he did next: he prayed. As you discuss, notice the contrast between the sorrow of his birth and the honor he received.
Discussion questions
- What does the name Jabez mean, and why did his mother choose it? (See verse 9)
- How is 'honorable' (nikhbad) used in other parts of the Old Testament? (Think of God’s glory or a person of substance.)
- Why do you think the writer included this detail about Jabez in a long genealogy?
- In verse 10, Jabez prays about his name. How does his request connect to the meaning of his name?
- Is it appropriate to pray for blessing, enlarged territory, and protection? What might that look like in a modern context?
- What does this story teach about the power of a difficult past? Can prayer actually change our story?
- How does Jabez’s example challenge or encourage your own prayer life?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Genesis 3:16 | To the woman he said, “I will greatly multiply your pain in childbirth. You will bear children in pain. Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you.” |
| Genesis 34:19 | The young man didn’t wait to do this thing, because he had delight in Jacob’s daughter, and he was honored above all the house of his father. |
| Genesis 35:18 | As her soul was departing (for she died), she named him Benoni, but his father named him Benjamin. |
| I Samuel 4:21 | She named the child Ichabod, saying, “The glory has departed from Israel!” because God’s ark was taken, and because of her father-in-law and her husband. |
| I Chronicles 7:23 | He went in to his wife, and she conceived and bore a son, and he named him Beriah, because there was trouble with his house. |
| Isaiah 43:4 | Since you have been precious and honored in my sight, and I have loved you, therefore I will give people in your place, and nations instead of your life. |
| Acts 17:11 | Now these were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so. |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
10 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke highlights how the ancient versions differ sharply in their accounts of Jabez. He shows that the Septuagint, Syriac, Arabic, and Chaldee each add or change details, from naming to specific requests, while the Hebrew and Vulgate stay close to the original text.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes notes that Jabez is introduced abruptly with no family lineage, as if the original audience already knew him from tradition or lost writings. The prayer then directly references the meaning of his name, sorrowful, asking that the grief it implies would not come upon him.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
The commentator notes that Jabez's name means "he brings sorrow," an ill-omened start. Yet through prayer he overcame that bad fortune and became more honored than his brothers. His request to God reversed the negative meaning of his name itself.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
The Geneva Notes point to the meaning behind Jabez's name: his mother gave it to him out of the sorrow she experienced in childbirth. Yet despite that painful beginning, he became more honorable than his brothers, showing that God can raise up those who start in difficulty.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill considers several possible reasons for Jabez's honor, including wealth, strength, or religious devotion. He rejects the Jewish tradition identifying Jabez as Othniel and links the sorrow in his naming to the similar case of Benoni.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871
JFB sees Jabez's recorded prayer as a vow made in a moment of crisis, likely when he faced the commanded expulsion of Canaanites. The petition's distinctive force turns on a wordplay: Jabez means "grief," and he asks that he may not experience the sorrow his name implies.
Keil & Delitzsch OT Commentary Protestant 1876
Keil-Delitzsch notes the wordplay in the name Jabez, which means sorrow, and his prayer for freedom from pain. The commentator observes that God granted the request, so Jabez's life became a direct contradiction of his name—the son of sorrow was kept from pain and rose to greater honor than his brothers.
Lange's Commentary Reformed 1857
Lange reads this section as a collection of scattered genealogical fragments, like pebbles gathered from different sources, held together only by their common connection to the tribe of Judah. He emphasizes that
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
In a chapter filled with genealogical names, Henry singles out Jabez as the one person marked "more honourable." The commentator highlights that his mother named him from her sorrow, making his later prayer and God's granting of his request stand out as a bright exception in an otherwise dry family list.
Wesley's Explanatory Notes Methodist/Wesleyan 1754
Wesley notes that Rachel recorded the name as a personal reminder to thank God for bringing her through childbirth, and as a lasting lesson to her son that he was born into a world of sorrow. The sorrow in his name was meant to instill a seriousness in his spirit.