And Jabez was more honourable than his brethren: and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, Because I bare him with sorrow.

1 CHRONICLES 4:9KJV
Know the Bible

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.

Where else these words appear

“Jabez” Hebrew H3258 · used in 3 verses

  • 1 Chronicles 2:55 And the families of the scribes which dwelt at Jabez; the Tirathites, the Shimeathites, and Suchathites. These are the Kenites that came of Hemath, the father of the house of Rechab.
  • 1 Chronicles 4:10 And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested.

“sorrow” Hebrew H6090 · used in 4 verses

  • Psalms 139:24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
  • Isaiah 14:3 And it shall come to pass in the day that the LORD shall give thee rest from thy sorrow, and from thy fear, and from the hard bondage wherein thou wast made to serve,
  • Isaiah 48:5 I have even from the beginning declared it to thee; before it came to pass I shewed it thee: lest thou shouldest say, Mine idol hath done them, and my graven image, and my molten image, hath commanded them.

“honourable” Hebrew H3513 · used in 109 verses

  • Genesis 13:2 And Abram was very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold.
  • 2 Samuel 6:22 And I will yet be more vile than thus, and will be base in mine own sight: and of the maidservants which thou hast spoken of, of them shall I be had in honour.
  • Proverbs 12:9 He that is despised, and hath a servant, is better than he that honoureth himself, and lacketh bread.