Jabez

From Bible Exegesis

Affiction.

(1.) A descendant of Judah, of whom it is recorded that “God granted him that which he requested” (1Ch_4:9, 1Ch_4:10).

(2.) A place inhabited by several families of the scribes (1Ch_2:55).

jā´bez (יעבּץ, ya‛bēc, “sorrow” (“height”)):

(1) Place: An unidentified town probably in the territory of Judah, occupied by scribes (1Ch_2:55). For an ingenious reconstruction of the passage see EB, under the word

(2) Person: The head of a family of Judah, noted for his “honorable” character, though “his mother bare him with sorrow” (1Ch_4:9, 1Ch_4:10), ya‛bēc being interpreted as if it stood for ya‛cēbh, “he causes pain.” The same play upon words recurs in his prayer, “that it be not to my sorrow!” His request was granted, “and the sorrow implied by his ominous name was averted by prayer” (Dummelow, in the place cited.).