Jabez (biblical figure)

In the I Book of 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. This short passage of scripture came to the attention of millions of Christians following the publication of the book The Prayer of Jabez by Bruce Wilkinson , in which he encouraged Christians to pray the way Jabez did. The name Jabez Hebrew (ya bes) for 'he makes sorrowful' His Mother stated 'I gave birth to him in pain'. It is speculated that, because Jabez was named by his mother, that there was no father in his life. Therefore, such birth out of wedlock would have been the source of pain and shame in Hebrew culture of the time. Whatever the interpretation, the prayer of Jabez has served both as a puzzle and also as an inspiration and model for some Christians. Jabez quite probably overcame adverse circumstances of birth to achieve a place of honor in his ancient society. Jabez is also mentioned in 1 Chronicles. 2:55, possibly as a place name. The small town of Jabez, Kentucky is surrounded on three sides by the beautiful Lake Cumberland . The town is also is the home of the Kentucky Leadership Center . The real name of prominent Hip-Hop artist, Dirk the Daring , is Jabez, presumably after the prayer or its speaker. The main character (a farmer) in the short story The Devil and Daniel Webster and its 1941 and 2007 film adaptations was called Jabez - living with his guilt-ridden and God-fearing mother. The book became an international bestseller, topping the New York Times bestseller list and selling nine million copies.

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 4:9–4:11 ). 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 "he makes sorrowful"; his mother stated "I gave birth to him in pain". Jabez was labelled with "sorrow" at birth, but his prayer against contracting sorrow nullified the label. Jabez is also mentioned in 1 Chronicles 2:55 , possibly as a place name.

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 honor in the long list of Kings and lineage.

Biblical figure Jabez is a man appearing in the Book of Chronicles . He is implied to be ancestor of the Kings of Judah , although not explicitly included in the lineage. His mother named him Jabez ( Hebrew יַעְבֵּץ [ ya'betz ]), meaning "he makes sorrowful", because his birth was difficult. Jabez's most important action was to conquer new territory with divine sanction. Although the textual description of Jabez is brief, some Targumim elaborate that Jabez also established a religious institution for the Levite children of Zipporah : "And he was called Jabez, because in his council he instituted a school of 31 disciples; they were called Tirathim , because in their hymns their voice was like trumpets; and Shimaathim , because in hearing they lifted up their faces, i.e., in prayer; and Suchathim , because they were overshadowed by the Spirit of prophecy." In Arabic and Persian, Jabez is transliterated as Yabis or Yabiz ( يَعْبِيصَ ). However, Syriac and Arabic translations use a substantially different transliteration of ainei or "aina", cognate with Hebrew עיני [my eye(s)]. Jabez is also mentioned in 1 Chronicles 2:55 , possibly as a place name. 1 Chronicles 4:5–12 Marshall, I. (1996) [reprinted from the English edition of T. & T. Commentary on the Old Testament .