Jabez is a man appearing in the Book of Chronicles. He is implied to be ancestor of the Kings of Judah, although not explicitly included in the lineage.[1] His mother named him Jabez (Hebrew יַעְבֵּץ [ya'betz]),[2] meaning "he makes sorrowful", because his birth was difficult.[3] Jabez's most important action was to conquer new territory with divine sanction.[4]
Although the textual description of Jabez is brief, some Targumim elaborate that Jabez also established a religious institution for the Levite children of Zipporah: "And he was called Jabez, because in his council he instituted a school of 31 disciples; they were called Tirathim, because in their hymns their voice was like trumpets; and Shimaathim, because in hearing they lifted up their faces, i.e., in prayer; and Suchathim, because they were overshadowed by the Spirit of prophecy."[5]
In Arabic and Persian, Jabez is transliterated as Yabis or Yabiz ( يَعْبِيصَ ). However, Syriac and Arabic translations use a substantially different transliteration of ainei or "aina", cognate with Hebrew עיני [my eye(s)].[citation needed]
Jabez is also mentioned in 1 Chronicles 2:55, possibly as a place name.
See also
edit- The Prayer of Jabez – Book by Bruce Wilkinson
References
edit- ^ 1 Chronicles 4:5–12
- ^ Marshall, I. H. (ed.). "Jabez". New Bible Dictionary (3rd ed.). IVP.
- ^ Keil, C. F.; Delitsch, F. (1996) [reprinted from the English edition of T. & T. Clark, Edinburgh, 1866-91]. Commentary on the Old Testament. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers Inc.. 10 vols.
- ^ 1 Chronicles 4:10
- ^ Dankenbring, William F. The Secret and Power of the Prayer of Jabez (PDF) (Speech). Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 Feb 2013.