1 Chronicles 4 10

1 Chronicles 4:10 kjv

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 4:10 nkjv

And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, "Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!" So God granted him what he requested.

1 Chronicles 4:10 niv

Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, "Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain." And God granted his request.

1 Chronicles 4:10 esv

Jabez called upon the God of Israel, saying, "Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my border, and that your hand might be with me, and that you would keep me from harm so that it might not bring me pain!" And God granted what he asked.

1 Chronicles 4:10 nlt

He was the one who prayed to the God of Israel, "Oh, that you would bless me and expand my territory! Please be with me in all that I do, and keep me from all trouble and pain!" And God granted him his request.

1 Chronicles 4 verses

1 Chronicles 4 10 Meaning

Jabez's prayer in 1 Chronicles 4:10 is a powerful testament to seeking and receiving divine favor. Despite his name signifying "sorrow," Jabez earnestly called upon the God of Israel, asking for profound blessings, expansion of his territory or influence, the tangible presence and aid of God, and protection from any evil or harm that might cause him grief. The verse concludes with the emphatic statement that God immediately and fully granted his fervent requests, demonstrating God's responsiveness to faithful prayer.

1 Chronicles 4 10 Context

First Chronicles 4:10 appears within a lengthy genealogical section, specifically charting the lineage of the tribe of Judah. Genealogies in the Old Testament served crucial purposes for ancient Israel: establishing tribal identity, validating land inheritance, determining priestly succession, and providing a sense of national history and continuity. Amidst these otherwise dry lists of names, the brief but potent account of Jabez stands out dramatically. His inclusion, breaking the typical pattern, highlights that beyond mere birthright or tribal prominence, an individual's fervent faith and direct appeal to God could bring about remarkable divine intervention and favor. For the post-exilic community for whom the Chronicler wrote, Jabez's story would have offered a beacon of hope and a practical example of how faithful individuals could still experience God's active blessing, even when external circumstances seemed dire or established structures were in flux. The request to "enlarge my coast" directly resonates with the Israelite cultural emphasis on inherited land (נַחֲלָה - nachalah), territory, and security, often linked to the blessings of the covenant God.

1 Chronicles 4 10 Word analysis

• And Jabez (וְיַעְבֵּץ - wěya'bēṣ): "And Jabez," a unique figure in the genealogy. His name Ya'bets (יַעְבֵּץ) is explicitly linked to 'otseb (עָצֶב), meaning "sorrow" or "pain" (1 Chr 4:9), making his subsequent prayer to be kept from "grief" profoundly personal and thematic.
• called on (וַיִּקְרָא - wayyiqrā'): "And he called out," from the verb qara' (קָרָא), indicating an earnest, public, and fervent appeal or invocation, signifying a deep and intentional prayer, not merely a passing thought.
• the God of Israel (אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל - ’ĕlōhê yiśrā’ēl): Identifies the specific, covenantal God of the nation, contrasting with the polytheistic deities of surrounding cultures. This highlights Jabez's singular devotion to YHWH, the true source of all blessing and power.
• saying (לֵאמֹר - lē'mōr): "to say," a standard Hebrew idiom to introduce direct speech.
• Oh that You would bless me indeed (אִם־בָּרֵךְ תְּבָרְכֵנִי - ’im bārēḵ tĕvārḵēnî): A strong volitional expression, often rendered "If you will truly bless me..." using the infinitive absolute and imperfect verb (bārēḵ tĕvārḵēnî) for intense emphasis, conveying a fervent desire for comprehensive and abundant blessing. Barak (בָּרַךְ) means to "bless" or "to empower for success and fruitfulness."
• and enlarge my coast (וְהִרְבִּיתָ אֶת־גְּבוּלִי - wěhirbîtā ’et-gĕḇûlî): "and increase/make large my border." Gevul (גְּבוּל) refers to a territorial boundary or limit. This reflects a desire for physical expansion, prosperity, influence, or sphere of activity, which was vital for an Israelite tribe.
• and that Your hand might be with me (וְיָדְךָ הָיְתָה עִמִּי - wěyādeḵā hāyĕṯāh ‘immî): Yad (יָד), "hand," is a biblical metaphor for divine power, presence, protection, guidance, and active assistance. This requests God's tangible, active intervention and empowerment.
• and that You would keep me from evil (וְעָשִׂיתָ מֵּרָעָה - wě‘āśîṯā mērā‘â): "and you would do (to separate me) from evil." Ra'ah (רָעָה) signifies evil in its broad sense: calamity, misfortune, harm, distress, or moral wickedness. It's a plea for protection from all that would bring adverse consequences.
• that it may not grieve me (לְבִלְתִּי עָצְבִי - lĕvil'tî ‘ots'bî): "so that it will not cause me pain/sorrow." Directly links back to his name. 'Atsav (עָצַב) means to "grieve" or "cause pain." This expresses a desire for God's protection to result in the absence of sorrow or negative consequences.
• And God granted him (וַיָּבֵא אֱלֹהִים לוֹ - wayyāvō ’ĕlōhîm lô): "And God brought/gave to him," demonstrating God's immediate and effective response. The use of "brought/gave" underscores the directness and tangibility of God's action.
• that which he requested (אֵת אֲשֶׁר שָׁאָל - ’ēt ’ăšer šā’al): "that which he asked." Sha'al (שָׁאַל) means to "ask" or "inquire." This phrase confirms the precise fulfillment of Jabez's specific petitions.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And Jabez called on the God of Israel": Highlights Jabez's extraordinary act of faith and the specific object of his trust—not a generic deity, but the covenant God of his people, indicating a right relationship and knowledge of God as sovereign.
• "Oh that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast": Represents a dual desire for comprehensive and bountiful prosperity—spiritual and material—along with an increased sphere of influence or responsibility, recognizing God as the source of both.
• "and that Your hand might be with me": The pivotal request, understanding that true blessing and enduring expansion depend on the continuous, active presence, guidance, and power of God working through him.
• "and that You would keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me!": A profound plea for protection from all forms of adversity and pain, specifically addressing the sorrow inherent in his name and past, desiring for the blessings received not to be marred by unforeseen harm.
• "And God granted him that which he requested": This concluding statement provides the powerful divine affirmation and immediate fulfillment, validating Jabez's faith and showcasing God's readiness to respond graciously to such a prayer.

1 Chronicles 4 10 Bonus section

• Jabez's story functions as a profound didactic insertion by the Chronicler. Amidst records detailing a community tracing its heritage post-exile, Jabez's personal piety and direct interaction with God offer a counterpoint to the idea that favor only flows through tribal position. It emphasized individual faithfulness to the God of Israel.
• The inclusion of this story in a genealogy underscores that even within established lineages, the personal spiritual dynamic of "calling on the God of Israel" (a characteristic Chronicler's phrase, found also in 1 Chr 21:26, 2 Chr 13:4, 2 Chr 14:11) and experiencing His responsiveness is paramount.
• The intense verbal construction "bless me indeed" (a figure of speech known as an infinitive absolute) communicates the extraordinary fervency of Jabez's plea and his conviction that God possesses unlimited power to bless beyond measure.
• The fact that God "granted him that which he requested" without any qualifying conditions or lessons points to Jabez's heart already being aligned with God's desire to bless His people and perhaps that his prayer sought an expansion of righteous influence rather than selfish gain.

1 Chronicles 4 10 Commentary

The narrative of Jabez serves as a luminous interlude in the often-dry genealogical records of Chronicles, standing out for its brevity and profound spiritual lesson. Jabez, despite being named for sorrow, refused to be defined by his origin. Instead, he boldly approached the true God, making specific and comprehensive requests for divine blessing, personal enlargement, sustaining presence, and protection from all sorrow-causing evil. His prayer is a model of humble reliance on God alone for every aspect of life – prosperity, purpose, partnership, and protection. The swift and unambiguous divine response highlights God's receptiveness to the fervent and faith-filled prayers of those who genuinely seek His favor and align their desires with His will to bless. It conveys a timeless message that one's lineage or difficult beginnings do not predetermine destiny, but rather, an earnest heart turned toward God can lead to extraordinary divine favor and a life distinguished by honor and purpose.

Examples of its practical usage might include:

• A new Christian entrepreneur praying for the growth of their business (enlarged "coast") for God's glory.
• A minister asking for increased influence in their community (enlarged "coast") for the advancement of the Gospel.
• A parent seeking God's active protection and guidance for their children ("Your hand might be with me," "keep me from evil").