1 Chronicles 4 · a question people ask
Who was Jabez?
The chapter doesn't say whose son he was. It names no father, doesn't give his mother's name, and doesn't name the brothers he was "more honorable than" (4:9). He stands in the list that begins "The sons of Judah" (4:1), between the families of Aharhel (4:8) and Chelub (4:11), and the chapter doesn't join him to either. It doesn't say what made him more honorable (tap honorable). His name comes only in 1 Chronicles: for this man (4:9-10), and for a place, "The families of scribes who lived at Jabez" (2:55). Strong's gives it as "the name of an Israelite, and also of a place"; the chapter doesn't say how the two are connected. What the chapter does give is the reason for his name (4:9), his prayer, and God's answer (4:10).
The verses
“The sons of Judah: Perez, Hezron, Carmi, Hur, and Shobal.”
“Hakkoz became the father of Anub, Zobebah, and the families of Aharhel the son of Harum. Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother named him Jabez, saying, “Because I bore him with sorrow.” Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, “Oh that you would bless me indeed, and enlarge my border! May your hand be with me, and may you keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!” God granted him that which he requested. Chelub the brother of Shuhah became the father of Mehir, who was the father of Eshton.”
“The families of scribes who lived at Jabez: the Tirathites, the Shimeathites, and the Sucathites. These are the Kenites who came from Hammath, the father of the house of Rechab.”