Jabez (biblical figure)

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] Jabez's birth is difficult; for this reason, his mother names him Jabez (Hebrew יַעְבֵּץ [ya'betz]), meaning "he makes sorrowful".[2][3] Jabez's most important action is 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)].

Jabez is also mentioned in 1 Chronicles 2:55, possibly as a place name.

See also

References
  1. 1 Chronicles 4:5–12
  2. Marshall, I. H. (ed.). "Jabez". New Bible Dictionary (3rd ed.). IVP.
  3. 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.
  4. 1 Chronicles 4:10
  5. Dankenbring, William F. The Secret and Power of the Prayer of Jabez (PDF) (Speech). Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 Feb 2013.
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