1 Chronicles 4:10 (KJV)

What does 1 Chronicles 4:10 mean?

1 Chronicles 4:10 describes Jabez praying to the God of Israel, asking for blessing, for his territory to be enlarged, for God's hand to be with him, and for protection from evil so that he would not experience pain. The verse ends by saying that God granted Jabez what he requested.

In this verse, Jabez is speaking directly to God in prayer. The setting is a genealogy listing in 1 Chronicles, but Jabez stands out because of his heartfelt request. The verse highlights Jabez’s desire for God’s favor, guidance, and protection, and notes that God responded positively to his prayer.

The Hebrew behind 1 Chronicles 4:10

• "Bless" (בָּרַךְ, barakh): This word is repeated for emphasis in the Hebrew, often understood as "bless me indeed" or "truly bless me." The doubling shows Jabez’s deep longing for God's favor.
• "Enlarge" (רָבָה, ravah): This word means to make great or increase, here referring to expanding Jabez’s "coast" (גְּבוּל, gevul), which means his territory or borders. Jabez is asking for growth in his life and responsibilities.
• "Hand" (יָד, yad): In Hebrew, "hand" often symbolizes power, presence, or guidance. Jabez wants God’s active help and presence with him.
• "Evil" (רַע, ra): Jabez asks to be kept from harm or trouble, not just moral evil but anything that might cause him pain or sorrow. The word for "grieve" (עָצַב, atzav) connects to the pain or distress Jabez wants to avoid.

Why 1 Chronicles 4:10 matters

• This verse shows that even in a long list of names, the Bible sometimes pauses to highlight a person’s relationship with God, making Jabez’s prayer stand out.
• The verse clarifies that it is not wrong to ask God for blessing, growth, or protection, as long as the request is sincere and recognizes God’s power.
• Jabez’s prayer is presented as an example of faith and dependence on God, and the fact that God granted his request shows God’s willingness to respond to heartfelt prayers.