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A mother named her child Sorrow…or did she?

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

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.

(1 Chronicles 4:9-10)

The book of Chronicles surveys the past history to give an understanding of how the Jewish community came into existence and how YHWH had been central to its history, as evidenced in the temple and its worship and in the divine gift of David’s line of rulers.

From 1 Chronicles 1-9, the genealogy section which is connected to Bethlehem; we see that Jabez is a descendant of Judah and shares David’s ancestral heritage. Even though his connection to preceding list is unclear, his mention is remarkable in these two verses.

His mother says – “Because I bore him in pain.”. But all children are borne with pain.

Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.

(Genesis 3:16)

Usually the sorrow in bearing is afterwards forgotten for joy that the child is born. A baby boy is being circumcised, [b’rit milah] typically done on the eighth day after birth, the boy is given his Hebrew name at the same time.

But here it seems it was so extraordinary that it was remembered by his mother when the child came to be circumcised. The word Jabez is Hebrew [yabetz = יַעְבֵּץ] for he makes sorrowful. Literal meaning to the context is that he will cause pain.

In the Bible naming people has something significant to do with their personal experience.

Refer Ge41:51-52; Ge29:31-35; Ge30:6-8,18-20,23-24; Ge35:18; Ex2:10,21-22; Ex18:3-4; 1Sa1:20; 1Ch4:9.

Her personal experience lead her to record it as reminder:

1. To her
   • To be thankful to God as long as she lives.
   • For supporting her and bringing her through that sorrow.
2. To him
   • She bore him into this world, a vale of tears, in which he must expect few days and full of trouble.
   • The sorrow he carried in his name might help to put a seriousness upon his spirit.
   • To love and honor his mother, and labor, in every thing, to be a comfort to her who brought him into the world with so much sorrow.
3. To us
   • Of our sorrows, that we may always have such thoughts of things as we had in the day of our affliction, and may learn to rejoice with trembling.
   • It is piety in children thus to requite their parents.

But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God. (1 Timothy 5:4)

Further research suggests that Jabez was known for his learning and piety. The Jews say that he was a famous doctor of the law and left many disciples behind him. Several families of the scribes were inhabited in the City of Jabez.

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 2:55)

The Prayer of Jabez is one of the most exceptional prayers mentioned in the Word of YHWH; like Solomon’s prayer for wisdom.

Four points that we see about prayer in v10:

1. To whom – God of Israel
2. The nature – Cuts to the chase, for he knew Deuteronomy 28:1-14. He did not make a vow like Jacob did.

And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on,

So that I come again to my father’s house in peace; then shall the Lord be my God:

And this stone, which I have set for a pillar, shall be God’s house: and of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee. (Genesis 28:20-22)

1. The matter  Referring God’s promise to Abraham.

That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies; (Genesis 22:17)

1. Enlarge my territory.For him – Land, work, warFor us – Hearts, portion in Heavenly CanaanYou would keep me from evil that I may not cause pain – Keep him from evil that causes him to sin, evil that troubles, evil designs of the enemies (to hurt him, to grieve him, to make him Jabez – Man of Sorrow)Your hand would be with me – He asks God for protection from his enemies. He knows that Lord is all sufficient and can bring him victory and safety. Deuteronomy 33:7 (NKJV) – And this he said of Judah: “Hear, LORD, the voice of Judah, And bring him to his people; Let his hands be sufficient for him, And may You be a help against his enemies”
2. The result YHWH granted him what he requested in terms of his work/business, his studies, conflicts with the Canaanites and he was honorable among his brothers.

Prayer is a requirement and we need to trust in YHWH. He is ready to hear our prayer and never gets tired!