1 Chronicles 4:9-10 And Jabez was more honorable than his brothers: and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, Because I bore him with sorrow.… The occurrence of this text in the Book of Chronicles says far more for Jabez than though it had appeared in a list of biographical sketches; as, for instance, in Hebrews 11. We see as it were the ancient scribe penning down upon his manuscript one name after another in genealogical order, and with wonted precision; but arriving at this name he is so deeply impressed by the holiness of the man, and the peculiarly consistent character of his life, that when about to enrol his name in the annals of Israel he feels obliged to forget the stern prescriptions of form; and flinging aside under inspiration the proverbial stiffness of the genealogist, he becomes the recorder not merely of a name, but of a saintly character withal, and thus unwittingly confirms the important truth that the good man shines everywhere. (George Venables.) Parallel Verses KJV: And Jabez was more honourable than his brethren: and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, Because I bare him with sorrow. |
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