1 Chronicles 4:9

“And Jabez was more honourable than his brethren, etc.] The Targum adds, “and wiser in the law than his brethren;” or he might be a man of great wealth and riches, or of great strength and courage, all which make a man honourable; or he may be so called, because a praying man, as follows, a man of devotion and religion, a man of God, (see <090906>1 Samuel 9:6), but who he was is not easy to say, probably a son or brother of Harum, or however that belonged to one of the families of Aharhel, mentioned in the preceding verse; for that he was Othniel, as say the Targumist and other Jewish writers f24, is not probable, and besides is after spoken of distinct from him, (<130413>1 Chronicles 4:13)…”

“OF JABEZ, AND HIS PRAYER. (Ch1 4:9-20) Jabez--was, as many think, the son of Coz, or Kenaz, and is here eulogized for his sincere and fervent piety, as well, perhaps, as for some public and patriotic works which he performed. The Jewish writers affirm that he was an eminent doctor in the law, whose reputation drew so many scribes around him that a town was called by his name (Ch1 2:55); and to the piety of his character this passage bears ample testimony. The memory of the critical circumstances which marked his birth was perpetuated in his name (compare Gen 35:15); and yet, in the development of his high talents or distinguished worth in later life, his mother must have found a satisfaction…”

“It is remarkable that Jabez should be introduced without description, or patronymic, as if a well-known personage. We can only suppose that he was known to those for whom Chronicles was written, either by tradition, or by writings which have perished. In 1 Chronicles 4:10 Jabez alludes to his name, “sorrowful” (margin): “Grant that the grief implied in my name may not come upon me!” return to 'Top of Page'”

“Honourably - For courage, and for fervent piety. She records this, that it might be a memorandum to herself, to be thankful to God as long as she lived, for bringing her through that sorrow: and a memorandum to him, that she bore him into a vale of tears, in which he might expect few days and full of trouble. And the sorrow in his name might serve to put a seriousness upon his spirit. 1 Chronicles 4:10”

“4:9-20 The exact genealogies of the remaining descendants of Judah are unknown—the Chronicler apparently had incomplete information. 4:9-10 The section on Jabez stands independently, allowing the Chronicler to explain the origin of his name; he is not mentioned previously, although Jabez was listed as the name of a town inhabited by some of the descendants of Hur’s son Salma (2:55). Jabez apparently received his name because he caused his mother pain, a fulfillment of the curse on Eve (Gen 3:16). Although his name was a curse, he was more honorable than any of his brothers, and his prayer changed the outcome of his life. The prayer is poetic; it consists of a plea for blessing followed by…”

“more: Gen 34:19; Isa 43:4; Act 17:11 Jabez: i.e. Sorrowful I bare him: Ch1 7:23; Gen 3:16, Gen 35:18; Sa1 4:21 1 Chronicles 4:10”