Read & explore together
The Prayer of Jabez
These two verses give a brief note about Jabez inside a genealogy and then record his prayer. The passage is short, but it shows what he asked from the God of Israel and the answer he received.
Understanding the passage
Read these words in context
In this source, Jabez appears in a family record. We are told one fact about how his mother named him and one fact about how he prayed. The passage does not give a longer life story, so it is best read as a short report about his name, his request, and God’s response.
1 Chronicles 4:9–10Main takeaway
This passage shows Jabez calling on the God of Israel with specific requests, and it says God granted what he asked.
Explore the prayer
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Jabez is singled outThe passage first says, "Jabez was more honorable than his brothers." That tells us he stood out in some way, though the verse does not explain how.
Explanation
The passage first says, "Jabez was more honorable than his brothers." That tells us he stood out in some way, though the verse does not explain how. We should not add details that are not here. The text simply marks him out before giving the reason for his name.
02His name is linked with sorrowHis mother named him Jabez and explained the name by saying, "Because I bore him with sorrow."
Explanation
His mother named him Jabez and explained the name by saying, "Because I bore him with sorrow." The verse connects his name with pain or sorrow at his birth. It does not tell us anything more about her situation, so the meaning of the name is the main point given here.
03Jabez prays for blessing and helpJabez "called on the God of Israel" and asked for several things. He asked to be blessed, for his border to be enlarged, and for God’s hand to be with him.
Explanation
Jabez "called on the God of Israel" and asked for several things. He asked to be blessed, for his border to be enlarged, and for God’s hand to be with him. These are direct requests in the prayer, showing that he speaks openly and specifically to God.
04He asks to be kept from evil and painJabez also prayed, "may you keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!" This matches the earlier note about sorrow and pain in his name.
Explanation
Jabez also prayed, "may you keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!" This matches the earlier note about sorrow and pain in his name. The passage presents his desire not only for increase, but also for God’s protection from evil and from causing pain.
05God grants his requestThe final line is brief and clear: "God granted him that which he requested." The text does not describe how or when this happened.
Explanation
The final line is brief and clear: "God granted him that which he requested." The text does not describe how or when this happened. Its emphasis is that Jabez prayed to the God of Israel, and God answered the requests named in the verse.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What does the passage actually say about why Jabez received attention in the genealogy?
Look for the exact description given before the prayer and stay with the wording of the verse rather than adding a longer story.
02Which parts of Jabez’s prayer are requests for God’s action?
List each request in the order it appears: blessing, enlarged border, God’s hand, and being kept from evil so that he would not cause pain.
03How do verses 9 and 10 connect the ideas of sorrow or pain?
Notice the link between his mother’s explanation of his name in verse 9 and Jabez’s request about not causing pain in verse 10.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
1 Chronicles 4:9–10
9Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother named him Jabez, saying, “Because I bore him with sorrow.”
10Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, “Oh that you would bless me indeed, and enlarge my border! May your hand be with me, and may you keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!” God granted him that which he requested.