Who was Jabez in the bible? how many times is Jabez mentioned in the Bible? Jabez was a man in the Bible who lived in Gilead. He was born to a woman named Hannah, who had prayed for a son for many years. When Jabez was born, his mother was so happy that she dedicated him to the Lord and asked God to bless him. Read about the lessons from Jabez in the Bible.
Jabez’s mother died when he was young, but his father married again and had more children. When Jabez grew up, he worked as a shepherd with his brothers. One day, Jabez’s father told him that he could marry one of his half-sisters if he wanted to—but Jabez refused because he wanted to remain single and serve only God. He didn’t even want any land or animals from his father; all he wanted was wisdom and knowledge so that he could serve God better.
Jabez’s brothers didn’t understand why he would turn down such an offer—they thought it was foolish—but they respected their brother’s decision nonetheless.
Who Was Jabez In The Bible
1 Chronicles 4:9-10
Now Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, “Because I bore him in pain.” And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, “Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!” So God granted him what he requested.
In the book of 1 Chronicles, there is a brief mention of a man named Jabez who was more honorable than his brothers. His name, Jabez, meant “pain” because his mother bore him in pain. Despite the challenges of his past, Jabez was a man of great faith and was known for his prayer of blessing to God.
Jabez’s prayer is a powerful example of asking God for specific blessings and trusting in His provision. He asked God to bless him, enlarge his territory, be with him, and keep him from evil. In response to his sincere and fervent prayer, God granted Jabez’s request.
1 Chronicles 4:9-10 – The Prayer of Jabez
- Jabez was more honorable than his brothers.
- His name meant “pain” because his mother bore him in pain.
- Jabez prayed for God’s blessing, the enlargement of his territory, God’s hand to be with him, and protection from evil.
- God granted Jabez’s request.
Although Jabez’s story is brief, it serves as a reminder that God is faithful to those who call upon Him in faith. Jabez’s prayer teaches us the importance of seeking God’s blessing, guidance, and protection in our lives. Like Jabez, we can trust that God will hear our prayers and answer them according to His will.
Who was Jabez’s mother in the Bible?
In the Bible, the identity of Jabez’s mother is not explicitly mentioned. The book of 1 Chronicles, chapter 4, provides a genealogy of Jabez, stating that he was more honorable than his brothers. However, the specific details regarding his mother or her role in his life are not provided. Jabez’s mother remains an unmentioned character in the biblical account.
Why was Jabez born in sorrow?
The name “Jabez” itself holds a significant meaning, as it can be derived from the Hebrew root “ya’atz,” which means “to bear sorrow.” In 1 Chronicles 4:9-10, it is mentioned that Jabez was given this name by his mother, as she bore him in pain. The reason for his mother’s sorrow during childbirth is not explicitly explained in the Bible. However, it is important to note that in biblical times, the naming of a child often held great significance and was influenced by the circumstances surrounding their birth. Despite being born in sorrow, Jabez’s life later became a testimony of God’s blessings.
Lessons from Jabez in the Bible
The story of Jabez in the Bible contains valuable lessons that we can learn from and apply to our own lives.
- 1. Trusting in God’s power: Jabez demonstrated faith in God’s ability to bless him. Despite his past struggles and the significance of his name, he did not let these circumstances define his future. Instead, he fervently prayed to God and believed that He could change his destiny.
- 2. Boldness in prayer: Jabez’s prayer, as recorded in 1 Chronicles 4:10, shows his boldness and confidence in seeking God’s favor. He prayed for an expansion of his territory and asked God to protect him from harm. This teaches us the importance of approaching God with confidence and making specific requests in our prayers.
- 3. Acknowledging dependence on God: Jabez acknowledged his reliance on God by recognizing that only God could grant him his requests. He understood that his blessings and success were not solely dependent on his own efforts, but on God’s favor and guidance. This teaches us the humility to recognize our need for God’s direction and provision in our lives.
- 4. Embracing God’s blessings: Jabez desired God’s blessings and did not shy away from asking for them. He understood that it was not wrong to desire abundance and prosperity, as long as it was in alignment with God’s will. This reminds us to embrace the blessings that God intends for us and to not feel guilty about wanting to prosper in various areas of our lives.
Why Was Jabez Born In Sorrow
Jabez was a man in the Bible who prayed for God to bless him, and his prayer was answered. Jabez’s name means “he opens,” and according to 1 Chronicles 4:9–10, he was from the tribe of Judah.
He lived during David’s reign in Israel. He was one of those people who had many children and much livestock, but he still prayed for more: “Oh that you would bless me indeed and enlarge my territory, that your hand would be with me and that you would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!” (1 Chronicles 4:10)
According to 1 Chronicles 4:9–10, God granted Jabez’s request (and then some): “So Gad came to David and told him, ‘Jabez called on me [Gad] saying: ‘That you would bless me indeed and enlarge my territory!’ So now let it be done for him as he has requested.’ And thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘Since Jabez has prayed for enlargement of territory, I will fulfill his request'”—to which David responded by saying, “Blessed be Your name.”
What Is the Prayer of Jabez?
The prayer of Jabez is a very short yet powerful prayer mentioned in 1 Chronicles 4:10. It reads:
“Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.”
Let’s have a look at those lines carefully and analyze what they mean.
“That you would bless me”: Jabez knew that the God he believed in is the source of all blessings. For that reason, he asked God to bless him. And these blessings are more than just material; they can also be spiritual blessings, like good relationships, peace of mind, a compassionate heart, and a gentle demeanor, among other things. God blesses us with spiritual as well as material blessings when we ask Him. So we should always be reminded that asking God for a blessing is not a bad thing.
“And enlarge my territory”: Territory here does not really mean physical land. Jabez is more concerned about making an impact for the Kingdom of God. It is not a literal land territory. This may not be obvious at first glance, but when we look at the spiritual meaning of this line, it’s different. Jabez prayed that God would enlarge the territory of his heart, that it may overflow to those around him. He wanted to reach others for the sake of God’s Kingdom.
“Let your hand be with me”: Jabez recognized his limited, feeble nature as a person. Because of that, he knew he needed God’s help. He knew that God was all-powerful, so he asked God’s hand to be with him – to guide him into the right path and to hold him throughout his journey. In this line, Jabez recognizes that blessings can only be good things when it comes to God’s hand. Without God’s hand leading and guiding us, the blessings would be a waste. They would not fulfill a good purpose.
“Keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain”: In this line, Jabez makes a reference to his own name. Again, the Hebrew word for Jabez means “he causes pain.” With this, he renounced the awful meaning of his own name. He asked God to free him from harm so that pain may not befall him. Perhaps Jabez needed strength, and who better to look to than God Himself?
How Can We Pray Like Jabez?
We see in the next part of the verse that “God granted what he asked.” God was honored in the prayer of Jabez. He asked the right things from God. He also had the right attitude when he prayed.
For us to pray as Jabez did, we must first recognize who God is in our lives. Do we know that He alone is the source of all blessings? Do we recognize that God can give us the appropriate blessings if we ask Him for them? It is important to first evaluate what we know about God so that we can approach Him with the right heart and mind. Otherwise, we may pray for the wrong things and become frustrated when God says no.
Once we know who God truly is, what He’s capable of, and His role in our lives, we can then come to him with all confidence. Like the boldness Jabez showed when he prayed for God to bless him and enlarge his territory, we can ask God just as courageously for big things. Once again, the right attitude here is important. Jabez did not seek material wealth, so this prayer is not a gateway to the so-called prosperity gospel. God may not grant you 1 million dollars or a thousand-acre estate, but He is willing to grant you a heart like that of Jesus. He also wants to give your heart a desire to spread the Gospel to others. That’s an expansion of territory that truly puts a smile on God’s face.
How many times is Jabez mentioned in the Bible?
Jabez is mentioned only once in the Bible, specifically in 1 Chronicles 4:9-10. However, this single mention of Jabez carries great significance as it highlights his honorable character, his bold prayer, and the subsequent blessings he received from God.
The story of Jabez is in which book of the Bible?
The story of Jabez is found in the Old Testament book of 1 Chronicles, specifically in chapter 4, verses 9-10. Although Jabez’s story is relatively brief, it serves as a testament to the power of prayer and the transformative work of God in one’s life.
What is the real prayer of Jabez?
The real prayer of Jabez, as mentioned in 1 Chronicles 4:10, goes as follows:
“Jabez called upon the God of Israel, saying, ‘Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my border, and that your hand might be with me, and that you would keep me from harm so that it might not bring me pain!’ And God granted what he asked.”
This prayer of Jabez reflects his longing for God’s blessings, protection, guidance, and deliverance from pain. Although this prayer may seem specific to Jabez’s circumstances, it sets an example for believers to approach God with boldness, seek His favor, and trust in His ability to answer their requests.
What is the meaning of Jabez?
The name Jabez derives from the Hebrew root “ya’atz,” which means “to bear sorrow” or “to bring pain.” This meaning is reflected in the account of Jabez’s birth, where his mother called him Jabez because she bore him in pain. However, Jabez’s life later became a testimony of God’s transformative power and blessings, showing that one’s name or past circumstances do not define their future.
Who was Jabez’s father in the Bible?
In 1 Chronicles 4:9, Jabez is listed as the son of Hur, who was part of the tribe of Judah. However, besides this mention, further details or stories regarding Jabez’s father, Hur, are not provided in the Bible. His father remains a relatively lesser-known character within the biblical narrative.
Lessons From Jabez In The Bible
With a very short appearance in the Bible, the man named Jabez might seem insignificant and not worth looking into.
But when we take a look at him, how he got his name and what were the details the Bible recorded about him, we’ll see that he actually brings us lessons we should learn and apply in our lives.
Who is Jabez and what can we learn from him? Let’s talk about that.
A short but profound appearance
Jabez’s short appearance in the Bible spans only two verses, in 1 Chronicles 4:9-10. This short passage gives us some lessons to learn and things to think about.
1) A label since birth
First, we find out that Jabez’s name itself wasn’t pleasant at all. 1 Chronicles 4:9 says,
“Now Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, “Because I bore him in pain.””
Jabez’s name, according to the footnotes in the NKJV version, literally meant “he will cause pain.” His mother probably had a difficult time giving birth to him because, as she said, “I bore him in pain.”
Think about that for a moment. Some of us suffer from being called names by the people around us. They will call us names and label us according to how they receive us.
That’s what Jabez went through. His name became a lifelong label given to him by his own mother.
Friend, if you think you are labeled wrongly, just think of Jabez whose name conjures up thoughts of his mother in pain due to him being born.
2) A man who rose up from the labels
Thankfully, despite the label or identity that was assigned to him, Jabez broke through and became “more honorable than his brothers.”
Every time Jabez was called, it was as if he was being labeled as a man who would bring nothing but pain upon the people around him. It was as if a sentence had been passed over him, that he’d always be a pain for others.
He didn’t live that way, however. Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. He rose above the label that was given him since childbirth.
This teaches us that no matter what the labels given to us, we can rise above them. How? Read the next part:
3) A man who called on God and broke through
Here’s the best part.
1 Chronicles 4:10 reveals to us how Jabez was able to break through the name that labeled him and made him a curse or a liability to others:
He called on God for help.
“And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, “Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!” So God granted him what he requested.” (1 Chronicles 4:9-10)
Jabez, who probably suffered from low self-esteem caused by the label his own mother gave him, broke through the wrong identity given to him by calling on the God who made all of mankind.
In his prayer, Jabez asked God to undo and nullify the label that was given to him:
“You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!“
He prayed to God to have his name countered. He prayed to God to have the ungodly and negative declarations over his life negated and canceled.
And God, being merciful and gracious, “granted him what he requested.”
This should bring us great hope, friends. No matter what the people around us say or how the world labels us, God is able to turn things around and bless us.
While the world wants us down and out and makes us liabilities to others, God can lift us up and cause us to be a blessing to all who come in contact with us.
Jabez’s short appearance in the Bible gives us hope that no matter how much the world, even the people we love, try to destroy us, God can bless us and cause us to be a blessing to all.
How Many Times Is Jabez Mentioned In The Bible
Who was Jabez in the Bible?
Jabez was a man in the Bible who lived during the time of Moses. He was one of the sons of Issachar, a tribe of Israelites. Jabez’s father was named Tola.
Jabez’s mother was named Serah, and she gave birth to him when she was 80 years old. When he was born, he cried and cried, but his mother couldn’t figure out why—until she realized that he had grown two teeth in one day! He had just been born with them!
After this, God blessed Jabez with long life so that he could live for several hundred years after his birth. He eventually died at age 137 (Numbers 26:23).
Jabez was a man who lived in the land of Israel in the Old Testament. He was the son of Matri and Eliza, and he had a brother named Zophar.
Jabez’s story is told in Chapter 4 of the Book of Judges. Jabez prayed for God to bless him because he was suffering from infertility, but his prayer was answered with a curse instead: “Cursed be the day that you were born.” After hearing this, Jabez asked God to change his curse into a blessing instead. God did so, but Jabez didn’t get what he wanted right away.
Instead, God told him: “Your family line will continue for many generations; your name will live on forever.” Jabez died at the age of 137.