1 Chronicles 4:9 (KJV)

What does 1 Chronicles 4:9 mean?

1 Chronicles 4:9 says that Jabez stood out among his brothers as more honorable, and his mother named him Jabez because she gave birth to him in sorrow. The verse highlights both Jabez’s reputation and the reason for his unusual name.

The book of 1 Chronicles is listing descendants from the tribe of Judah, but pauses here to give a short note about Jabez. The verse explains that his mother chose the name "Jabez" because of her difficult experience during childbirth, linking his identity to her pain. The focus on his honor suggests that, despite the sorrow connected to his birth, Jabez became a respected figure among his family.

The Hebrew behind 1 Chronicles 4:9

• יַעְבֵּץ (Ya‘bets, "Jabez"): This name sounds like the Hebrew word for "pain" or "sorrow," which matches the reason his mother gives for naming him. The wordplay connects his identity to her emotional or physical suffering.
• כָּבֵד (kavēd, "honourable"): This word often means "weighty" or "important," so calling Jabez "more honourable" than his brothers means he was especially respected or distinguished.
• עֶצֶב (etsev, "sorrow"): This is the word for "pain" or "sorrow" that his mother refers to when explaining his name, emphasizing the hardship of his birth.

Why 1 Chronicles 4:9 matters

• The verse interrupts a long genealogy to highlight Jabez, showing that his character and story were memorable enough to deserve special mention.
• The explanation of his name helps readers understand the Hebrew wordplay and the cultural importance of names in the Old Testament.
• The verse sets up the next verse, where Jabez prays to God, making his story a brief but meaningful example within the larger list of Judah’s descendants.