In this season, I felt the Lord returning me to the Prayer of Jabez. It is a brief but powerful prayer found in 1 Chronicles 4:9-10. It reads as follows:
9 “Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez, saying, ‘I gave birth to him in pain.’
10 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.”
This historical context of the Prayer of Jabez can be found within a genealogical record in 1 Chronicles, which primarily focuses on the lineage of the tribes of Israel.
Jabez is mentioned briefly, yet his prayer stands out amidst a long list of names, suggesting that his life and request were noteworthy.
The name Jabez means “sorrow” or “pain,” perhaps reflecting the circumstances of his birth. His mother may have named him this due to the pain she experienced during childbirth. His name may have carried a stigma or burden throughout his life.
Literally, it could read, “He causes (or will cause) pain.” Something about Jabez’s birth was unusual—so much so that his mother memorialized it in his name.
The greatest burden of Jabez’s name was how it defined his future. In biblical times, a man and his name were intimately related. A name was often taken as a wish for or prophecy about the child’s future. For example, Jacob can mean “grabber,” reflecting his scheming character. Naomi and her husband named their two sons Mahlon and Chilion, meaning “puny” and “pining.” That was exactly what they were—both died in early adulthood. Solomon means “peace,” and he became the first king of Israel to reign without going to war.
God Himself has many names that describe different aspects of His many-faceted character. From Got Questions, here are some of the better-known names of God in the Bible:
EL, ELOAH [el, el-oh-ah]: God “mighty, strong, prominent” (Nehemiah 9:17; Psalm 139:19) – etymologically, El appears to mean “power” and “might” (Genesis 31:29). El is associated with other qualities, such as integrity (Numbers 23:19), jealousy (Deuteronomy 5:9), and compassion (Nehemiah 9:31), but the root idea of “might” remains.
ELOHIM [el-oh-heem]: God “Creator, Mighty and Strong” (Genesis 17:7; Jeremiah 31:33) – the plural form of Eloah. Being plural, Elohim accommodates the doctrine of the Trinity. From the Bible’s first sentence, the superlative nature of God’s power is evident as God (Elohim) speaks the world into existence (Genesis 1:1).
EL SHADDAI [el-shah-dahy]: “God Almighty,” “The Mighty One of Jacob” (Genesis 17:1; Exodus 6:3; Ruth 1:20) – speaks to God’s ultimate power over all.
ADONAI [ˌædɒˈnaɪ; ah-daw-nahy]: “Lord” or “Master” (Genesis 15:2; Judges 6:15) — emphasizes God’s authoritative relationship with humanity and our need to submit in reverence to God. Adonai was often used in place of YHWH, which was thought by the Jews to be too sacred to be uttered by sinful men.
YHWH / YAHWEH / JEHOVAH [yah-way / ji-hoh-veh]: “LORD” (Exodus 3:15; Deuteronomy 6:4; Daniel 9:14) – strictly speaking, the only proper name for God. Translated in English Bibles “LORD” (all capitals) to distinguish it from Adonai, “Lord.” The revelation of the name is given to Moses “I AM WHO I AM” (Exodus 3:14). This name specifies an immediacy, a presence. Yahweh is present, accessible, near to those who call on Him for deliverance (Psalm 107:13), forgiveness (Psalm 25:11) and guidance (Psalm 31:13).
YAHWEH-JIREH [yah-way-ji-reh]: “The Lord Will Provide” (Genesis 22:14) – the name memorialized by Abraham when God provided the ram to be sacrificed in place of Isaac.
YAHWEH-RAPHA [yah-way-raw-faw]: “The Lord Who Heals” (Exodus 15:26) – “I am the Lord who heals you” both in body and soul. In body, by preserving from and curing diseases, and in soul, by pardoning iniquities.
YAHWEH-NISSI [yah-way-nee-see]: “The Lord Our Banner” (Exodus 17:15), where banner is understood to be a rallying place. This name commemorates the desert victory over the Amalekites in Exodus 17.
YAHWEH-M’KADDESH [yah-way-meh-kad-esh]: “The Lord Who Sanctifies, Makes Holy” (Leviticus 20:8; Ezekiel 37:28) – God makes it clear that He alone, not the law, can cleanse His people and make them holy.
YAHWEH-SHALOM [yah-way-shah-lohm]: “The Lord Our Peace” (Judges 6:24) – the name given by Gideon to the altar he built after the Angel of the Lord assured him he would not die as he thought he would after seeing Him.
YAHWEH-ELOHIM [yah-way-el-oh-him]: “LORD God” (Genesis 2:4; Psalm 59:5) – a combination of God’s unique name YHWH and the generic word for “God” signifying that He is the Lord who is God.
YAHWEH-TSIDKENU [yah-way-tzid-kay-noo]: “The Lord Our Righteousness” (Jeremiah 33:16) – As with YHWH-M’Kaddesh, it is God alone who provides righteousness (from the Hebrew word tsidkenu) to man, ultimately in the person of His Son, Jesus Christ, who became sin for us “that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21).
YAHWEH-ROHI [yah-way-roh-hee]: “The Lord Our Shepherd” (Psalm 23:1) – David knew what it was to be a shepherd to his sheep, and he declared, “The Lord is my shepherd [Yahweh-Rohi]; I shall not want” (Psalm 23:1, ESV).
YAHWEH-SHAMMAH [yah-way-sham-mahw]: “The Lord Is There” (Ezekiel 48:35) – the name ascribed to Jerusalem and the temple there, indicating that the once-departed glory of the Lord (Ezekiel 8—11) had returned (Ezekiel 44:1–4).
YAHWEH-SABAOTH [yah-way-sah-bah-ohth]: “The Lord of Hosts” (Isaiah 1:24; Psalm 46:7) – Hosts means “hordes,” both of angels and of men. He is Lord of the host of heaven and of the inhabitants of the earth, of Jews and Gentiles, of rich and poor, master and slave. The name is expressive of the majesty, power, and authority of God and shows that He is able to accomplish what He determines to do.
EL ELYON [el-el-yohn]: “Most High” (Genesis 14:18–22; Deuteronomy 32:8; Psalm 7:17; 57:2; 97:9) – derived from the Hebrew root for “go up” or “ascend,” so the implication is of that which is the very highest. El Elyon denotes exaltation and speaks of absolute right to lordship.
EL ROI [el-roh-ee]: “God of Seeing” (Genesis 16:13) – the name ascribed to God by Hagar, alone and desperate in the wilderness after being driven out by Sarah (Genesis 16:1–14). When Hagar met the Angel of the Lord, she realized she had seen God Himself in a theophany. She also realized that El Roi saw her in her distress and testified that He is a God who lives and sees all.
EL-OLAM [el-oh-lahm]: “Everlasting God” (Psalm 90:1-3) – God’s nature is without beginning or end, free from all constraints of time, and He contains within Himself the very cause of time itself. “From everlasting to everlasting you are God” (Psalm 90:2).
EL-GIBHOR [el-ghee-bohr]: “Mighty God” (Isaiah 9:6) – the name describing the Messiah, Christ Jesus, in this prophetic portion of Isaiah. As a powerful and mighty warrior, the Messiah, the Mighty God, will accomplish the destruction of God’s enemies and rule with a rod of iron (Revelation 19:15).
I was named Barbara after my Lebanese grandmother.
According to Our Bible Heritage, Barbara is derived from the Greek word barbaros, meaning “foreign” or “strange.” In Hebrew, it is sometimes linked to “בַּרְבָּרָה,” reflecting the idea of being set apart or different. Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary defines Barbara as “a woman of foreign origin,” while some modern sources emphasize grace and elegance. Over centuries, the name has adapted to many cultures while retaining its sense of uniqueness and individuality.
Mmmmm, I resonate somewhat with this meaning. ☺️ Today, most of us don’t know the meanings of each other’s names—but in biblical times, names carried great weight. Imagine how people may have reacted to Jabez—a name meaning “pain” didn’t predict a promising future.
The prayer of Jabez in 1 Chronicles 4:10 contains an urgent request for four things:
1) God’s Blessing – “Oh, that You would bless me”
Jabez recognizes that the God of Israel is the true source of every blessing, and he humbly petitions for God’s grace and favor. His request reflects a deep longing for divine approval and provision.
In the biblical sense, blessing extends far beyond material prosperity—it encompasses spiritual well-being, physical health, protection, and a flourishing life rooted in God’s presence. By asking for blessing, Jabez affirms God’s sovereignty and acknowledges that lasting success and fulfillment can only come from Him.
2) Expansion of Territory – “Enlarge my territory”
Jabez prays for growth and success in all areas of his life, desiring that his days would be marked by increase.
This request may be understood both literally and metaphorically. Literally, it could mean an increase in land or possessions. Metaphorically, it expresses a yearning for greater influence, expanded opportunities, and new responsibilities entrusted by God. Jabez seeks not only personal advancement but also a larger capacity to serve, impact, and fulfill God’s purposes.
3) The Presence of God’s Hand – “Let Your hand be with me”
In this plea, Jabez asks for the continual guidance, protection, and empowering strength of God in his everyday life.
By seeking God’s hand, he confesses his dependence on divine help for every victory, decision, and challenge. This is an expression of humility and trust—acknowledging that without God’s presence, his efforts would be in vain.
4) Protection from Harm – “Keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain”
Echoing Jesus’ later teaching—“Deliver us from the evil one” (Matthew 6:13)—Jabez appeals to God as his ultimate protector.
His name carried a painful meaning, and this prayer reflects a longing to live free from the sorrow and hardship it symbolized. It is both a request for physical safety and a cry for emotional and spiritual healing. Jabez desires not only to be spared from harm but also to walk in a new identity—one shaped by God’s favor, purpose, and peace.
“And God granted his request.”
How wonderful and merciful is our God! His response to Jabez is one of affirmation. He heard and He answered.
Jeremiah 33:3 Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’
No matter the labels placed upon us, the challenges we face, or the negative perceptions we may hold about ourselves, we have a transcending and transforming power in Jesus Christ. Our true identity is that we are sons and daughters of the Most High God, seated with Him in the heavenly places.
1 Peter 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;
Join me in this season and pray…
Clarion Call by Barbara Karpouzian 